Preseason All-NCAA Team

                                          My Pre-Season All-American Team 1st Team

Before every season, there comes a preseason team of all-stars to watch this season. Whether they are proven talent that will continue to improve their draft stock and lead their team to the NCAA tournament, or diamonds in the rough that the nation have yet to notice. Here is my preseason All-NCAA team.

G-Aaron Craft-Junior, Ohio State- Plays defense, puts in a lot of minutes, and can pass the ball. Will be a bigger part of the Buckeye offense this year with Sullinger and Buford gone. 19 of 39 games with 10+points will increase this year.

G-C.J. McCollum-Senior, Lehigh- Tremendous game game Duke, but consistent throughout the year. 4 games out of 35 he didn't score 15 or more points, 21 games with 20 or more points. You can't argue with his output and he's good at the charity stripe (over 80% all three years of playing).

F-C.J. Leslie-Junior, NSCST-

F-Mason Plumlee-Senior, Duke- Not a fan of Ohio State or Duke, but talent is talent. That is why Aaron Craft is on the list, and the same goes for Mason Plumlee. Averaging almost a double-double last year, as well as giving you defense is always a plus. He consistently notched one to three blocks a game for the Blue Devils, as well as shot over 57%. If he betters his free throw shot, he could be an even bigger talent.

C-Gorgui Dieng-Junior, Louisville- Why Gorgui Dieng? Why Dieng over Cody Zeller? Defense is the answer. Averaging nine points, nine rebounds, and three blocks a game, Dieng is my choice for in the center. He may not be a scorer like Zeller, but he plays defense in the middle and dominates the paint, as a center should. He can bang and get the stats, as well as play hard defense that a team needs.

Others to mention...

G-Matthew Dellavedova-Senior, St Marys- The West Coast Conference Player of The Year, Dellavedova played on the Australian Olympic team (youngest player to do so), and will be the focal point again to the Gales attack. 15.5 points and 6.4assists aren't bad for a guy who averaged 37.5 minutes a game last year. He doesn't turn the ball over and is good from the free throw line. If he sharpens his three-point shot, he'll be even better.

G-Trey Burke-Sophomore, Michigan- One of several outstanding freshmen in the Big Ten, Burke is back for another year with Michigan. In his first year, Burke averaged 148PPG, 4.6APG, and 3.5RPB. The Wolverines will lean on him and Tim Hardaway Jr. now that Zack Novak is gone. Burke and Dellavedova would be a secure backcourt on any team.

G/F-Shabazz Muhammad-Freshmen, UCLA- Best rated player in the incoming recruiting class, has unquestioned talent, the only question being asked is: is he eligible?

F-Anthony Bennett-Freshmen, UNLV- 6'8, can step out and hit three-pointers, move inside, bang with the big boys and throw down, who coach wouldn't want a power forward who is not only physical, but fast and a shooter? Don't know how UNLV got Anthony Bennett, but he is surrounded by an experienced team of players (led by Mike Moser). Returning two of their top three scorers, as well as acquiring Roscoe Smith from Connecticut, UNLV is poised to make their run.

F-Doug McDermott-Junior, Creighton- A shooter, plain and simple. This guy will jam a dagger in your heart if you are his opponent. 22.9PPG and 8.2RPG, the now junior took Creighton on his shoulders and brought them into the spotlight of the country. Not once last year did McDermott fail to score above 10 points. He scored over 20 points 24 times, over 30 points six times, and over 40 points once. Just over 60% shoot from the field, 48.6% from the 3-point line, and 78.9% from the free throw line, he must be included.

C- Cody Zeller-Sophomore, Indiana- Cody Zeller was an impressive freshmen. He converted six out of every 10 shots he took, didn't turn the ball over, and scored points. 15.6PPG and 6.6RPG are pretty good statistics for anyone, let alone a freshmen. Indiana has only gotten stronger and this is Zeller's team for sure now. Though only notching more than 10 rebounds in four games, only five games happened where Zeller didn't score more than 10 points. Decent from the free throw line, if Zeller can improve on his skills and secure more rebounds while adding to his defense, he'll be the big man in the Big Ten.

pictures from

Aaron Craft
C.J McCollum
C.J. Leslie
Mason Plumlee
Gorgui Dieng