Five Tigers earn postseason honors from Big 12 coaches

DeMarre Carroll became the first player in Missouri history to earn First Team All-Big 12 and First Team Academic All-Big 12 recognition in the same season.   ¦  L.G. PATTERSON/The Associated Press

Known as one of Missouri coach Mike Anderson's "blue-collar" players, DeMarre Carroll's efforts didn't go unrecognized by the Big 12 Conference coaches.

Carroll earned a spot on the First Team All-Big 12 released Sunday. He was the first Tiger to earn such recognition since Kareem Rush in 2002.

Kansas' Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and Iowa State's Craig Brackins rounded out the first unit.

The league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players, named Griffin the Player of the Year.  

Four other Tigers were recognized by the coaches. 

Leo Lyons earned a third team honors, and J.T. Tiller received an honorable mention pick.

Tiller was also named Co-Defensive Player of the Year with Kansas’ Cole Aldrich and was the only unanimous pick to the Big 12’s All-Defensive Team.

Senior Matt Lawrence was named Co-Six Man of the Year with Baylor’s LaceDarius Dunn.

The Delaware transfer, Zaire Taylor, was the final Missouri player to be selected, earning a spot on the Big 12’s All-Rookie unit.