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Midseason awards and recognitions in men’s college basketball, chosen by our basketball specialist

January 8, 2026

Midseason College Basketball Awards

Conference play is heating up across the U.S., and with just over two months of the men’s college basketball regular season completed, it’s the perfect moment to dish out some midseason awards.

Midseason Player of the Year: Cameron Boozer (Duke University)

Now, some might assert that the battle for the national Player of the Year is already decided, but that’s not entirely true. If the season wrapped up today, Duke’s freshman prodigy would undoubtedly be a strong candidate for this prestigious honor. Boozer has lived up to expectations set by John Scheier, leading the nation in scoring with an impressive 23.3 points per game, while also ranking 11th in rebounding and 7th in double-doubles.

Midseason National Coach of the Year: Mark Byington (Vanderbilt)

There are still six teams with no losses, and a few surprises in the standings. However, I’m choosing the coach who guided a Vanderbilt squad initially predicted to finish 11th in the SEC to an incredible 15-0 record after their latest win over Alabama.

Byington has a solid coaching background, having spent seven seasons at Georgia Southern and another four at James Madison before joining Vanderbilt. Though not as flashy as some other SEC hires, his record speaks volumes: 35 wins and 13 losses over one and a half seasons. That’s a refreshing change for Commodore fans who endured five challenging years under Jerry Stackhouse.

Midseason National Freshman of the Year: Duke’s Cameron Boozer

We could try to be clever and hand this to AJ Divanza, but it seems rather odd when a freshman wins the MVP without also snagging the Freshman of the Year title. So, given that Cam Boozer is currently the standout player in college basketball, it only makes sense to name him the top freshman as well.

Midseason First Team All-American

Let’s be honest—he’s really that good.

Yaxel Rendeborg, Michigan

If there were a “Midseason Team of the Year,” it would likely go to the University of Michigan, with Lendeborg playing a pivotal role in their remarkable 14-0 start. The 6’9″ transfer from UAB has seamlessly transitioned to a power conference, averaging 14.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and multiple assists—despite dealing with a lingering calf injury recently.

Divanza, a prominent name in the 2025 recruiting class, has also been as impressive as anticipated. As of now, he’s the second-highest scorer in the nation at 23.1 points per game, playing a critical role in BYU’s quest for its first-ever Final Four appearance.

Joshua Jefferson, Iowa

Jefferson may not be on everyone’s radar, but he’s contributing significantly to an undefeated Iowa State team. His stats include 17.6 points, nearly 8 rebounds, and over 5 assists per game. Notably, he recently helped his team clinch a victory against preseason No. 1 Purdue University with 23 points. He’s the only player in the country averaging these numbers and recently achieved a triple-double—only the ninth in Iowa State’s history.

While there’s a case for Toppin’s teammate Christian Anderson to be highlighted, Toppin has certainly delivered on his preseason All-America expectations. Averaging 20.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, he’s reached a new level this season.