Abe Badmus, Bucknell
The 5-foot-11-inch sophomore from Notre Dame in Niles was the Patriot League Defender of the Year. He started 25 of 29 games at point guard for the Bison and collected a team-high 57 steals, while averaging 5.4 points per game. Badmus also led the team in assists with 92.
Boo Davis, UW-Milw. (above)
The 6-3 junior guard from Marshall was third in scoring for the Horizon League champion Panthers at 10.4 points per game and shot 36 percent from three-point range. Two of Davis’ teammates are also from Chicago: Mark Pancratz (Schaumburg) and Chris Hill (Young).
Demario Eddins, Ala.-Birmingham
A lanky 6-7 forward from Julian, Eddins was second on the Blazers in scoring at 12.6 points per game and shot 50 percent from the field. It was his last-second three-pointer against DePaul in the Conference USA tournament quarterfinals that likely cost the Demons an NCAA berth.
Jeremy Fears, Ohio
As a freshman with the Bobcats, the Joliet product averaged 11.1 points and a team-high 3.8 assists per game. The 6-3 Fears had 21 points in Ohio’s overtime victory over Buffalo in the MAC championship game. He was a two-sport star at Joliet (also a wide receiver on the football team).
Mike Hall, George Washington
The 6-8, 230-pound junior forward from Shepard was a second-team all-conference selection after averaging 10.5 points and a team-best eight rebounds, helping the Colonials win their first Atlantic 10 tournament championship. Hall averaged 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game as a senior.
Tony Young, Southern Illinois
The 6-foot sophomore guard from Schaumburg was the Missouri Valley’s Sixth Man of the Year and a member of the conference’s All-Defensive Team. Also averaged 6.3 points and shot 47 percent from the field. He helped Schaumburg win the 2001 IHSA Class AA title.