Who are this year's standout players?
There are really only two sure things when it comes to preseason All-Americans this season.
Tyler Hansbrough and Stephen Curry. One’s a three-time All-American who’s trying to lead North Carolina to back-to-back Final Fours and its fifth NCAA title. Curry is the Davidson sharpshooter who led the Wildcats to within a whisker of the 2008 Final Four.
Everything else is up for grabs. And there are plenty of great players to choose.
Three names – Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody and UCLA’s Darren Collison – will circulate often. Others like Arizona State’s James Harden or Kentucky’s Patrick Patterson should garner attention.
But frankly, most of the preseason teams are a mix of established stars and players pundits think will emerge as stars in 2008-09.
For example, take our list.
UConn’s A.J. Price may be a surprise pick as a first-teamer along with Curry, Harden, Harangody and Hansbrough, but I love the senior’s all-around game. He can score, pass, defend and has great size for a lead guard. He should be recovered from a torn ACL.
Still, it’s a great year for point guards, so Price would have to be even better than last season to live up to All-America billing.
With that in mind, just who didn’t make NBCSports.com’s squad and why? Good question
GUARDS
A.J. Abrams, Texas. Losing D.J. Augustin as a backcourt mate hurts, but Abrams can handle it. The Big 12’s leading returning scorer is also one of the country’s hottest outside shooters.
Dionte Christmas, Temple. Great leader who’s consistency (20.0 and 19.7 ppg in the last two seasons) sets the tone for an improving Owls squad.
Nick Calathes, Florida. Hustling, heady sophomore was the SEC co-freshman of the year who shattered the school record for assists.
Devan Downey, South Carolina. A great talent on a bad team, Downey does it all for the Gamecocks. He scores (18.4 ppg), dishes (5.4 apg) and had an SEC record 103 steals last season.
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse. The sophomore point guard is the Big East’s most talented point guard and a handful to stop off the dribble. He’s tireless (39.2 minutes in conference play), and figures to lead the Orange to their first NCAA tourney since 2006.
Manny Harris, Michigan. The dynamic swingman didn’t have much help as a freshman, but still managed to finish among the Big Ten’s leading scorers. The Wolverines are still a borderline NCAA tourney team, but Harris is a big-time player.
Ty Lawson, North Carolina. Few players are faster from rim to rim, which is ideal for the Heel’s secondary break. The junior led the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio and doesn’t have to carry UNC’s scoring load.
Kalin Lucas, Michigan State. Another speedy guard, Lucas emerged as the Spartans’ top playmaker last season as a freshman. He’ll blow by most Big Ten opponents.
Jack McClinton, Miami. The ‘Canes senior can fill it up (17.7 ppg), especially from three-point range. He was second in the ACC in 3-point percentage.
Jeremy Pargo, Gonazga. Two WCC players are among the nation’s best point guards? Fer sure. The Bulldogs’ senior was last year’s conference player of the year and remains a potent combination of scoring (12.1 ppg), assists (6.0) and savvy.
Tyrese Rice, Boston College. The Eagles leaned on Rice for nearly 30 percent of their scoring last season. The senior guard is capable of even more this year.
Robert Vaden, UAB. The senior loves his 3s. He made a C-USA record 142 three-pointers last season and made 40 percent of them.
FORWARDS
Jon Brockman, Washington. The Huskies senior averaged 17.8 pgg and 11.6 rpg last season – though those numbers don’t fully encapsulate how good he was on a bad team. With improved free-throw shooting, he could average 23 ppg.
Chase Budinger, Arizona. Budinger’s production isn’t the issue (17.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg). If he elevates the Wildcats in the Pac-10 race, then he’ll be even better.
Dejaun Blair, Pittsburgh. Co-Big East newcomer of the year is a force down low, despite standing just 6-7. Expect a significant upgrade from his 11.6 ppg and 9.1 rpg.
Robbie Hummel, Purdue. Sophomore swingman is an efficient scorer (126.7 ORtg) who could see his scoring average (11.4 ppg) rocket.
Kyle Singler, Duke. The Devils’ best all-around player is a potent mix of size (6-8) and perimeter scoring. He was worn down by the end of his freshman season – don’t expect that again.
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut. The nation’s best shot blocker (sorry Varnardo) is also one of its most improved players over the last two seasons. As long as Thabeet is more aggressive on offense, the Huskies will shine.
Jarvis Varnado, Miss State. Shot-blocking machine (NCAA-best 4.62 a game) tied Shaquille O’Neal single-season SEC mark as a sophomore. If you’re shooting, make sure you know where the 6-9 jumping jack is.
Terrence Williams, Louisville. Dynamic senior has improved his scoring, passing and rebounding each season.
Sam Young, Pittsburgh. Panthers senior could be the Big East’s player of the year if his outside shooting improves. He’s already really, good, though. (18.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg).
FRESHMEN
DeMar DeRozan, USC. No O.J. Mayo? Enter the explosive DeRozan, who’s probably the most NBA-ready talent in the game.
Tyreke Evans, Memphis. With Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts gone, Evans could emerge as the Tigers’ go-to guy. An explosive 6-6 guard, he’ll could put up big numbers against C-USA teams.
Jrue Holiday, UCLA. How long until Holliday runs the Bruins’ offense? Only when Darren Collison is injured or out of the game. But UCLA will still ensure the ball is in Holliday’s hands as often as possible.
B.J. Mullens, Ohio State. Another 7-foot center in Columbus? What else is new? He’s not as dominant as Greg Oden, or as skilled as Kosta Koufos, but he’ll likely be among the Big Ten’s best big men.
Samardo Samuels, Louisville. Rick Pitino’s most prized recruit while at Louisville, Samuels (6-8, 240) will replace most of the post-production lost with David Padgett, Juan Palacios and Derrick Caracter gone.
There you have it. Between our All-America team and this list, that’s enough players to start a conference. Damn good one, too.
But who are your players to watch this season?
