Jayhawks’ Robinson named best in Big 12

To the regular-season champion went the Big 12 spoils.

The conference coaches handed out top honors Sunday, and they voted Kansas junior forward Thomas Robinson the league’s top player.

KU’s Bill Self was the co-coach of the year along with Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg, and Jayhawks center Jeff Withey was chosen defensive player of the year.

It was the fourth time in nine years Self has won the coaching honor.

Withey has 100 blocked shots, and his 65 in league play established a Big 12 record.

Kansas State was also well-represented with postseason honors. Junior guard Rodney McGruder was a second-team and all-defensive selection, while junior center Jordan Henriquez was also named to the all-defensive team.

McGruder leads the Wildcats in scoring at 15.5 points per game and Henriquez averages 2.3 blocks.

Missouri guard Michael Dixon was the league’s sixth man of the year. He hasn’t started any of the Tigers’ 31 games, but he gets starter minutes and his 13.3 scoring average ranks 12th in the conference.

Joining Robinson on the All-Big 12 team were teammate Tyshawn Taylor, Missouri’s Marcus Denmon, Texas’ J’Covan Brown and Iowa State’s Royce White, who also was voted newcomer of the year.

Robinson, who averages 18 points and a league-leading 11.9 rebounds, is the second Kansas player in two years to win the award. Marcus Morris was last year’s player of the year.

In all, a Jayhawk has been selected the top player seven times in the league’s 16-year history.

Coaches All-Big 12 team

First team

Royce White, Iowa State, F, Soph.; Thomas Robinson, Kansas, F, Jr.; Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas, G, Sr.; Marcus Denmon, Missouri, G, Sr.; J’Covan Brown, Texas, G, Jr.

Second team

Quincy Acy, Baylor, F, Sr.; Pierre Jackson, Baylor, G, Jr.; Rodney McGruder, Kansas State, G, Jr.; Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri, F, Sr.; Keiton Page, Oklahoma State, G, Sr.

Third Team

Perry Jones III, Baylor, F, Soph.; Scott Christopherson, Iowa State, G, Sr.; Jeff Withey, Kansas, C, Jr.; Kim English, Missouri, G, Sr.; Phil Pressey, Missouri, G, Soph.

All-Defensive Team

Quincy Acy, Baylor; Jeff Withey, Kansas; Jordan Henriquez, Kansas State; Rodney McGruder, Kansas State; Michael Dixon, Missouri.

All-Rookie Team

Pierre Jackson, Baylor; Quincy Miller, Baylor; Royce White, Iowa State; Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State; Myck Kabongo, Texas.

Individual awards

Player of the Year: Thomas Robinson, Kansas, F

Defensive Player of the Year: Jeff Withey, Kansas, C

Newcomer of the Year: Royce White, Iowa State, F

Co-Freshman of the Year: Quincy Miller, Baylor, F, and Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State, G/F

Sixth Man Award: Michael Dixon, Missouri, G

Co-Coaches of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas, and Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State