College Basketball Preview 2013-14: Doug McDermott Headlines Preseason All-American Teams
By Nathan Giese
Doug McDermott poses before a game. Photo Credit: White and Blue Review, Flickr.com
We’ve have already started our college basketball previews with the top 25 teams in the country, now it’s time to look at the top players in the country.
Being named an All-American is a high honor for the most talented and productive players in the country. It takes an entire season of great player and leadership for a college basketball player to be named to one of these teams. Since it’s the preseason, we will be looking at the players we expect to be named to those teams at season’s end.
Disclaimer: freshman have been left off our preseason All-American list for a number of reasons. First, they have yet to play for their respective teams. While there may be great hype surrounding freshmen such as Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, they have yet to prove anything other than they were good in high school. We all heard the hype surrounding Shabazz Muhammad last season yet he failed to make any of the three All-American teams last season.
Freshmen will be introduced into this list as the season progresses, but for now, they will be left off the list.
With that, here’s the Hoops Habit Preseason All-American Teams for the 2013-14 season.
First Team:
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State – Smart’s return to Stillwater immediately makes the Cowboys a favorite in the always tough Big 12. He returns as the team’s leading scorer (15.4) and rebounder (5.8) last season as a point guard. He’s an all-around talent worthy of the first team nod.
Russ Smith, Louisville – One of the most exciting, and sometimes frustrating, players in the nation, Russ Smith decided he wanted to go for back-to-back national championships. Smith averaged 18.7 points per game last season and will be asked to take more of a leadership role this season for Louisville.
Doug McDermott, Creighton – Dougie Fresh will have a whole new level of attention on him as Creighton moves on to the new Big East. McDermott’s 23.2 points per game are impressive, but his near 50 percent shooting from 3-point range is something to keep an eye on this season. Grant Gibbs’ return also helps at it will take some of the attention of the defense off McDermott.
Mitch McGary, Michigan – After five months of poor performances, Mitch McGary finally figured it all out during the Wolverines’ NCAA tournament run, jumping his points per game from 7.7 in the regular season to 14.3 in the tournament. McGary is a physically gifted man-child who, with some fine tuning, could be one of the best big men in Michigan history before he’s done.
Isaiah Austin, Baylor – Austin has been cleared for basketball activities after suffering a torn labrum that kept him in school for another year. At 7’1″, Austin has the height and athleticism to be a force for the Bears. Only averaged 13 points and eight rebounds as a freshman, but Austin is poised to break out this year and prove the hype around his recruitment is warranted.
Second Team:
Aaron Craft, Ohio State – Probably the least flashy guy in the country, Craft’s leadership and outstanding defense alone make him an All-American candidate for the Buckeyes.
Joe Harris, Virginia – The name you’ve maybe never heard of, Joe Harris’ scoring output (16.3 points per game last season) has the Virginia Cavaliers right in the thick of the ACC race.
P.J. Hairston, North Carolina – If he stays out of trouble, Hairston has a chance to be a first team All-American. That remains to be seen, but his talent is unquestionable. Hairston dropped 14.6 points per game last year.
James Michael McAdoo, North Carolina – The combo of Hairston and McAdoo is going to be deadly for the Tar Heels. McAdoo once again returns to school and is looking to finally be the star he’s been expected to be his first two years.
Adreian Payne, Michigan State – Payne is expected to anchor the paint for the Spartans with Derrick Nix now gone. Payne averaged more than 10 points and seven rebounds per game last season, but his involvement with the offense should escalate this year.
Third Team (with 2012-13 stat line)
Kendall Williams, New Mexico – 13.3 points, 4.9 assists, 40% FG, 34% 3-FG
Tyler Haws, BYU – 21.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 48% FG, 87% FT, 38% 3-FG
Glenn Robinson III, Michigan – 11.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 57% FG, 32% 3-FG
Cleanthony Early, Wichita State – 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 45% FG, 31% 3-FG
Alex Kirk, New Mexico – 12.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 49% FG, 71% FT
Freshman Likely to Be Added To List Later:
Andrew Wiggins, Kansas
Julius Randle, Kentucky
Derrick Walton, Michigan
Jabari Parker, Duke
Isaiah Hicks, North Carolina
Aaron Gordon, Arizona
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