LSU's coach, top scorer, honored; Thompkins named All-Freshman

First-year LSU coach Trent Johnson has been named the Southeastern Conference's coach of the year, while the Tigers' top scorer, Marcus Thornton, is the league's player of the year.

Johnson took an LSU program without a postseason appearance in two seasons and turned it into the SEC regular season champion. LSU, ranked 20th in the AP poll, is 25-6 this season, 13-3 in the SEC.

Thornton averaged 20.9 points, second in the league in scoring. Other first-team All-SEC members were: Nick Calathes, Florida; Devan Downey, South Carolina; Jodie Meeks, Kentucky; Tyler Smith, Tennessee; Tasmin Mitchell, LSU; Patrick Patterson, Kentucky; and Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State.

Meanwhile, Georgia's Trey Thompkins was named top the SEC All-Freshman team. The 6-foot-8 forward from Lithonia was one of eight players to make the team.