Aug. 24
I've picked my six preseason All-American teams position-by-position. In other words, my First Team All-Americans are not necessarily the five best overall players in college. Each team has the following components: point guard, scoring guard, scoring forward, power forward and center.
FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
PG: Jason Williams, Duke
He is the premier college player -- he does it all. Williams is better than 85 percent of those currently playing the point on the NBA level. Enough said. He is super, scintillating and sensational, the PTPer who is awesome with a capital A! Williams is a role model who is on track to graduate from Duke in three-and-a-half years.
SG: Casey Jacobsen, Stanford
Stanford's sharpshooter has versatility. He is tough-minded and has the mentality needed to take the big shot. Just ask Duke about his performance last year when he hit the game-winner against the Blue Devils in Oakland. Jacobsen is tough mentally, physically and emotionally. He is a bona-fide winner.
SF: Kareem Rush, Missouri
Rush came on strong for Quin Snyder last season. He learned to control his game and gained knowledge of shot selection. Rush has supreme confidence in his ability and a knack for getting free and making the big shot. He can convert in the lane, drive to the basket, square up, knock it down from the perimeter and hit the trifecta.
PF: Reggie Evans, Iowa
Mr. Double-Double last season, he is power personified. He can score and clean the glass with the best of them. This guy got better and better in the Hawkeyes' system. Steve Alford's eyes light up when you mention his name. His ability on the inside makes him a leading contender (with Illinois' Frank Williams) for Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
C: Lonny Baxter, Maryland
What a great story! Gary Williams and his staff have done a great job working with Baxter on the inside. Once Baxter developed consistency, he became unbelievably tough on the interior. Baxter is very difficult to handle, giving Maryland a presence in the lane once he catches the rock in deep. He knows how to utilize his body to seal off defenders.
SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
PG: Frank Williams, Illinois
He's a combination guard who excels on the perimeter. He also does a super job scoring and running the Illini system.
SG: Juan Dixon, Maryland
Dixon can do it all. He's a defensive dynamo who can challenge the opponent's top gun. Dixon makes things happen; he can score quickly with his shooting range and ability in transition.
SF: Jason Kapono, UCLA
A big-time jump shooter who has added a variety of ways to score. Kapono has tremendous range shooting the trifecta.
PF: David West, Xavier
Very tough, strong and physical on the inside, he was a big factor for Xavier last season. He is a real presence and opponents will have a hard time containing him. West has a knack for getting to the free-throw line.
C: Carlos Boozer, Duke
Boozer was Duke's inside post presence when healthy last season; he was special at tournament time. He has built on that with strong performances playing for Jim Boeheim on a national team this summer. Boozer has touch and a variety of ways to score in the lane.
THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
PG: Brett Nelson, Florida
A wizard with the basketball, he has controlled his style of play. Nelson's flashiness and ball-handling skills make him the best in the SEC.
SG: Troy Bell, Boston College
He came on strong last season, making noise nationally. Bell is a big-time point producer and penetrator who breaks down defenses with regularity. He's the top returning player in the Big East.
SF: Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky
He is Mr. Versatility for the Wildcats. Prince can go inside or outside, and he possesses a tremendous wingspan. Prince and Nelson were the two top players in the SEC last season. To be even better, Prince must get stronger physically.
PF: Nick Collison, Kansas
Collison has superb baseline touch and outstanding moves to the glass. He understands how to play on the baseline.
C: Udonis Haslem, Florida
Haslem is a power deluxe inside, a real force. He has an assortment of interior scoring moves and can get to the glass.
FOURTH TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
PG: Dan Dickau, Gonzaga
Dickau made a big mark on college basketball last season as the maestro man. He can really light it up. Gonzaga is no longer a surprise team and Dickau is one major reason why.
SG: Marvin O'Connor, St. Joe's
He provides big-time point production from the two-guard slot. He and Jameer Nelson make beautiful music in the Hawks' backcourt.
SF: Drew Gooden, Kansas
Gooden is an offensive rebounder supreme! He is a baseline beauty for Roy Williams and the Jayhawks.
PF: Sam Clancy, USC
He also made a good decision returning to college, pulling out of the NBA draft. Clancy is a powerful, physical force who can dominate on the glass.
C: Dan Gadzuric, UCLA
A solid low-post player, he has outstanding skills and moves. Gadzuric must stay away from the injury bugaboo.
FIFTH TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
PG: Jameer Nelson, St. Joe's
He was my national Diaper Dandy of the Year last season. Nelson knows how to handle the point-guard role. He can score and distribute with the best of them, leading Phil Martelli's Hawks.
SG: Keith Bogans, Kentucky
He made a super decision, bypassing the NBA to return to the Wildcats. Bogans must continue to improve his range as a shooter.
SF: Mike Dunleavy, Duke
Dunleavy is a big-time wing player who gets the maximum out of his frame. He can really light it up from trifecta range -- just ask Lute Olson of Arizona.
PF: Jared Jeffries, Indiana
A multi-talented player, he has shown his diversity as a rebounder, scorer and passer. Jeffries should have a super soph season for Mike Davis.
C: Darius Songaila, Wake Forest
Songaila is an inside player who can score in the interior or on the perimeter. He has excellent offensive skills for a big man. Songaila must stay out of foul trouble, which limits his PT (or playing time).
SIXTH TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
PG: Lynn Greer, Temple
He's a solid point guard who has a great feel for the game. Greer can make the perimeter shot as well. He's the catalyst running the complicated Temple offense.
SG: Maurice Baker, Oklahoma State
Baker is an explosive scorer. He came from the juco ranks and should be even better this season. Baker can put points on the board quickly and also shows good passing and rebounding skills.
SF: LaVell Blanchard, Michigan
He should have a big year for new Wolverines coach Tommy Amaker. Blanchard does a solid job on the offensive glass.
PF: Vincent Yarbrough, Tennessee
Yarbrough is an outstanding talent in transition. He's powerful when he goes to the basket. He must be more consistent this season under first-year coach Buzz Peterson.
C: Chris Marcus, Western Kentucky
Marcus is a shot-blocker and post player supreme. He should be the dominant force in the Sun Belt Conference.
HONORABLE MENTION BAKER'S DOZEN
Caron Butler, Connecticut
David Bluthenthal, USC
Kevin Braswell, Georgetown
Brian Cook, Illinois
Chris Duhon, Duke
Melvin Ely, Fresno State
Jason Gardner, Arizona
Rod Grizzard, Alabama
Kevin Lyde, Temple
Chris Owens, Texas
Justin Reed, Mississippi
Preston Shumpert, Syracuse
Kelly Wise, Memphis
Tito Maddox of Fresno State was initially a member of the Honorable Mention team but has since been dismissed from the Bulldogs for accepting tickets from an agent (Brian Cook took his Honorable Mention place).
Luke Recker of Iowa would have been on one of the six All-American teams, but I'm waiting to see how he does coming off last season's surgery.
