If Saturday's performance by Blake Griffin was his last at Lloyd Noble then we couldn't have asked for anything more. To make it short and simple he was just amazing. Griffin finished with 33 points, 14 boards, 2 steals, 1 block and 3 highflying slam dunks.
On Sunday Blake was named the Big 12 Player of the Year becoming the first OU basketball player to do so since the inception of the conference. Griffin averaged a double-double this season with conference best 22.1 points per game while leading the nation in rebounding with 14.2 boards.
One factor in Blake Griffin's success of the floor (Other than being the best player in the country) has been the play of Willie Warren. He may have struggled as of late but Warren did hit the shot Saturday that was the final dagger to the heart of O-State which topped off a spectacular freshman campaign.
Warren became the second Sooner to pick up a Player of the Year award on Sunday when he was named the Big 12's Freshman of the Year. Warren averaged 14.7 points per game which led all freshmen in the conference and like Griffin he's the first Sooner to win this award.
Both Griffin and Warren were unanimous selections and are clear evidence that the progress Jeff Capel has made goes well beyond the brand of basketball he has brought to Norman. Griffin was also named as a first team All-Conference selection while Warren made the second team. They were McDonald's All-Americans who came to OU in back-to-back recruiting classes. Their impact on the Oklahoma basketball program goes well beyond this season. The Sooners are among the favorites to win the Big 12 Championship this week in Oklahoma City thanks to the Griffin/Warren combo but Tommie Mason-Griffin and Keith "Tiny" Gallon (two more McDonald's All-Americans) are coming to OU next year because of the success and notoriety of Griffin and Warren.
2008-09 ALL-BIG 12 MEN’S BASKETBALL AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, F, So., 6-10, 251
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Cole Aldrich, Kansas, C, So., 6-11, 245
J.T. Tiller, Missouri, G, Jr., 6-3, 200
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Denis Clemente, Kansas State, G, Jr., 6-1, 175
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Willie Warren, Oklahoma, G, Fr., 6-4, 207
SIXTH MAN AWARDS
LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor, G, So., 6-4, 201
Matt Lawrence, Missouri, G, Sr., 6-7, 203
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bill Self, Kansas
| All-Big 12 First Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/Previous School(s) |
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| Craig Brackins, Iowa State | F | 6-10 | 230 | So. |
Palmdale, Calif./Boys To Men/Brewster Academy [N.H.] |
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| Cole Aldrich, Kansas | C | 6-11 | 245 | So. | Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson | ||||
| Sherron Collins, Kansas** | G | 5-11 | 200 | Jr. | Chicago, Ill./Crane | ||||
| DeMarre Carroll, Missouri | F | 6-8 | 225 | Sr. | Birmingham, Ala./Hoover/UAB | ||||
| Blake Griffin, Oklahoma** | F | 6-10 | 251 | So. | Oklahoma City, Okla./Oklahoma Christian School | ||||
| All-Big 12 Second Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/Previous School(s) | ||||
| Denis Clemente, Kansas State | G | 6-1 | 175 | Jr. | Bayamon, Puerto Rico/Calusa Prep/Miami (Fla.) | ||||
| Willie Warren, Oklahoma | G | 6-4 | 207 | Fr. | Fort Worth, Texas/North Crowley | ||||
| James Anderson, Oklahoma State | G/F | 6-6 | 195 | So. | Junction City, Ark./Junction City | ||||
| A.J. Abrams, Texas | G | 5-11 | 161 | Sr. | Round Rock, Texas/McNeil | ||||
| Damion James, Texas | G/F | 6-7 | 222 | Jr. | Nacogdoches, Texas/Nacogdoches |
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