A lot (all) of our blogs here recently have been focused solely on the NBA, summer league, draft, free agents and so on so forth. Cool, I'm all for that as I love the NBA and am very eagerly awaiting the new season. However, the greatest sport on our recession laiden planet is also in hibernation, NCAA Mens Basketball. No other sport provides the thrills, 7 OT's and excitement that Division One College Basketball does. Let's face it, they're just kids. With regards the NBA, there seems a certain level of untouchability with the stars, it couldn't be more opposite with college stars. You can almost relate to them, kinda sorta in a way, you know? They are just normal people like you and me (if you an me could jump that high) playing the game they love and also getting a valuable education along the way. For every Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose, there are ten guys who don't go pro. Ten guys who having got their degree, pursue the alternative path after a mens college basketball career. Heck, some people get so ticked off with seeing themselves in video games they sue in hope of royalties. Anything can and most definitely will happen during the magical months of the NCAA season; stars are born before our eyes, kids dreams fulfilled and coaches made even wealthier. It makes for great entertainment. So without further hesitation, here's my pre-season All American line up, with replacements named also.
G -- John Wall, Kentucky. The main reason Kentucky went from a top 10 to top 3 side in no time. They already had Eric Bledsoe as their guard for next season, and teams knew they would be a tough match up. However, they still seemed left out of the group of genuine contenders, which includes Kansas, Michigan State and Texas. Enter John Wall. The prized jewel of the team. Wall has everything you want in a lead guard. He can dish, score, run the fast break or set the half court offense up. If he can provide the adequate supply for inside monsters Patterson, Cousins and Orton, Kentucky will be a lock to be playing late into March. It's almost a given that Wall will play just the one season in college before going pro, and if he has the season many are pegging him to, a number one overall selection in next year's draft is certain.
G -- Willie Warren, Oklahoma. A classic case of "should he went" with this stud. He had a hot season last year; but was it down to playing with Blake Griffin? We're about to find out. Warren said the reason he wasn't interested in entering the draft was because he wanted to show everyone that he can be the star of a team who just lost the National Player of Everything. You have to admire that, the fact that he didn't ride Griffin's success into a top 15 pick just last month. Warren is an intriguing prospect, he's got an NBA body, NBA speed and IQ, but where does he play in the pro's? He plays off the ball a lot in college, think Tyreke Evans. In my opinion, he's much better with the ball in his hands, dictating the offense, again like Evans. With the ball in his hands, he is more than capable of deciding whether to do the scoring himself, or find an open teammate. Blue chip recruits "Tiny" Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin will provide the assistance in his bid to get the Sooners back to the dance.
G -- Sherron Collins, Kansas. Maybe the purest lead guard out there, Collins heads up a loaded Jayhawks squad for next season. Along with Cole Aldrich, the experienced floor general shoulders the burden of expected success, and he will deliver. He is cool, calm, collected and any other positive adjective starting with "c" you can think of. His thick frame and great foot speed make him a very tough guy to stop off the dribble, and his hump shot has come on leaps and bounds. Collins is just as likely to drop 30 points on you as he is 15 dimes -- that's the beauty of his game. He can do almost anything on the court, so expect a major year form him. Before you say it, yes I am aware that he apparently turned up 30 pounds overweight. Nothing a sweat suit and some celery sticks won't cure!
F -- Greg Monroe, Georgetown. I love his game. He is potentially a multiple All Star and 1st Team All NBA guy. He is a ball handling, assist dishing high flying bigman. Think a young Chris Webber. John Thompson must have counted his lucky stars that the talented bigman shunned an almost certain top 5 selection to come back for one more year. It was a wise choice by Monroe, as there are still some areas he needs to work on. For one, I'd like to see him dominate more games start to finish. He can have spells where he disappears for a little while, only to appear again with a flashy no look pass or monster dunk. That has to change. Also, for a guy his size, he doesn't rebound the ball all that well. He only averaged 6.5 last year, he's six-eleven. It also looks like his 250lb frame could handle more weight, easily, and will need to if he is to bang with the Dwight Howards of this world at some stage in his career. Monroe will look to establish himself as the premier bigman this upcoming season, the only person stopping him is Greg Monroe.
F -- Cole Aldrich, Kansas. Ever since his cameo in the 2008 Final Four against Tyler Hansbrough scouts have been in love with this soft touched centre. He anchors the Kansas defence masterfuly, and provides a telling contribution on offense. Last season he averaged 15 and 11. Those numbers can and should increase this year as he looks to be still developing into an elite bigman. His footwork when in position down low could do with some work, but he has the got sufficient foot speed for his size. Aldrich is an absolute monster on the glass, as evidenced by his ten rebounds against Dayton in the NCAA's, part of his superbly constructed triple-double. If he and Collins pick and roll their way to a Championship, he's top 5 next June. He's a lock to be in the lottery anyways, as teams can't ignore a bigman of his abilities and potential.
I suppose you could call this my 2nd Team, although it's pretty loaded and any of these guys could easily replace one of the above with a good season.
G -- Avery Bradley, Texas.
G -- Terrico White, Ole Miss.
G -- Kalin Lucas, Michigan State.
F -- Ed Davis, North Carolina.
F -- Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech.
Let the NCAA Season roll on!
Til next time...