2015 Mid-Major Madness All-Americans and Awards

It's that time of year again where we give out our always prestigious Mid-Major Madness All-American Awards. It was another great year of college hoops with a lot of great players around the country. Thank you to everyone from the mid-major community around the country who voted.

Player of the Year

Seth Tuttle, Northern Iowa Panthers

Northern Iowa's Seth Tuttle was the runaway winner in our Player of the Year voting. The 6'8 senior averaged 15.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the Panthers in their 31-4 season that ended in the Round of 32. Ben Jacobsen should still have a solid team coming back last year but Tuttle will leave as a Missouri Valley Legend on par with the likes of Doug McDermott.  Only two voters did not put Tuttle in their All-American First Team ballot.

Coach of the Year

Ben Jacobsen, Northern Iowa Panthers

I guess it's a chicken or the egg kind of thing with Northern Iowa. Not only do the Panthers take the Player of the Year honors but the Missouri Valley champs landed the Coach of the Year award with Ben Jacobsen. Jacobsen narrowly beat out Gregg Marshall, Mark Few, Bob McKillop, and a slew of other great candidates to win this year's award. He's already built something great in Cedar Falls and expect the Panthers to become a national staple much like conference rival Wichita State.

Freshman of the Year

Marcquise Reed, Robert Morris Colonials

This is kind of bittersweet news for Andy Toole and Colonials fans as Marcquiese Reed narrowly beat out Gonzaga's Domantas Sabonis for our Freshman of the Year honors. Reed averaged 15.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.9 steals per game for "Bobby Mo" this year but has already announced that he will be transferring away from Moon Township this spring.

Defensive Player of the Year

Corey Walden, Eastern Kentucky Colonels

This is almost like a lifetime achievement award for Corey Walden who leaves Eastern Kentucky with 285 career steals. Walden beat out Briante Weber, Gary Bell Jr, Jameel Warney, and Tekele Cotton for this year's award. His 99 steals this year was more than anyone else in the nation.

First Team All-Americans

G- Cameron Payne, Murray State Racers
G- Fred Van Vleet, Wichita State Shockers
G/F- Tyler Haws, BYU Cougars
F- Seth Tuttle, Northern Iowa Panthers
F- Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Second Team All-Americans

G- Tyler Harvey, Eastern Washington Eagles
G- Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga Bulldogs
G- Ron Baker, Wichita State Shockers
G/F- RJ Hunter, Georgia State Panthers
F- Alan Williams, UCSB Gauchos

Honorable Mention: Keifer Sykes (Green Bay), Kyle Collinsworth (BYU), John Brown (High Point), Corey Hawkins (UC Davis), Wesley Saunders (Harvard), Brad Waldow (St. Mary's), Tyler Kalinoski (Davidson), Treveon Graham (VCU), Jerome Hill (Gardner-Webb), David Laury (Iona), Damion Lee (Drexel)

Voters: Ben Miraski, Parks Smith, Jimmy Kelley, Jon Manson (Liberty Flames Nation), Pat O'Keefe (News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn), Tyler Bennett (College Court Report), John Templon (Big Apple Buckets), Daniel Bogle, Max Moore (Hustle Belt), Jordan Majewski (Staring at the Floorboards), Jason Lutz, Will Maupin, Ray Curren (Big Apple Buckets), Kevin Russell (Global Basketball), Brandon Hickey (Hustle Belt), Kevin Whitaker (Big Apple Buckets)