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AP All-America Team: Hansbrough Unanimous Pick
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November 3rd, 2008
by Matthew Ryter
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The Story: The Associated Press announced their preseason All-America team this afternoon. Tyler Hansbrough became the first unanimous player (72 ballots) selected since Duke’s Jason Williams in 2001-02. Hansbrough, the reigning national player of the year, missed being a unanimous selection last year by one vote. He is the first player to return to school after winning national player of the year since Shaquille O’Neal returned to LSU in 1991. Joining UNC’s Hansbrough are UCLA guard Darren Collison, Davidson guard Stephen Curry, Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody, and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin. Collison, like Hansbrough, is a repeat preseason choice from last year. The last repeat PG selection was Michigan State guard Mateen Cleaves in 1999-00. Curry, who averaged 25.9 points per game last season, was second in the voting with 66. Harangody, last year’s Big East player of the year, was third with 58 votes. Griffin, who returned to Oklahoma after a superb freshman year, received 45 votes.
AP Preseason All-America Team
Tyler Hansbrough, 6-9, senior, North Carolina
Stephen Curry, 6-2, junior, Davidson
Luke Harangody, 6-8, junior, Notre Dame
Darren Collison, 6-1, senior, UCLA
Blake Griffin, 6-10, sophomore, Oklahoma
Ryter’s Block: Tyler Hansbrough deserves to be a unanimous selection on the preseason team. Hansbrough after all is the reigning player of the year and a first team All-American last season. If Hansbrough can stay healthy, there is not a better college basketball player in the nation. I don’t believe anyone in the country will disagree with that. Stephen Curry put himself on everyone’s radar last year with Davidson’s unbelievable run in March. He averaged 32 points per game in the tournament and shot lights out from beyond the arc. With the loss of Jason Richards, Curry will have to handle the ball more which could hurt his numbers. Harangody makes a strong case being the reigning player of the year in the deepest conference in the nation, the Big East. If he can repeat as conference player of the year he will be an All-American at the end of the season. Collison gained third team All-American honors last year, but will the departure of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love hurt his chances or help them? Griffin may have the most NBA potential out of this group and may jump to the league after this season. I expect him to put up monster numbers this year.
Some players that I believe may end up on this list at the end of the season are: Arizona State’s James Harden, Connecticut’s Hasheem Thabeet, Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn, Kentucky’s Patrick Patterson, Pittsburgh’s Sam Young, and Texas’ Damion James.
Matthew Ryter keeps you up to date on the world of college basketball with his "Ryter's Block" column. What do you think about this story? What players do you think deserve to be on the list? Post your comments below:
Comments
Harangody
Submitted by Matthew Ryter on Mon, 2008-11-03 16:58.
Harangody deserves to be on their because he was POY in the Big East. Although he may not be as smooth as some other players, he does get the job done. I agree that AJ Price definitely deserves some attention. The CHN staff actually has him as a preseason second team All-American. I also agree that his value to UConn was shown in the tournament last year.
In my opinon BJ Mullens (Ohio State) has the best shot of being an All-American as a freshman. Some others to look for are Tyreke Evans (Memphis), Scotty Hopson (Tennessee), Demar DeRozan (USC), and Al Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest).
Griffin
Submitted by Shawn Siegel on Tue, 2008-11-04 10:36.
Out of those 5, Griffin seems the most likely not to make the Final A-A team. I don't think his numbers will be that huge.. so unless Oklahoma finishes Top 10, he could get edged out.
Sooners
Submitted by Matthew Ryter on Tue, 2008-11-04 11:27.
I agree that Griffin may be the most likely not to make the final team. I see Griffin averaging a double-double this year. (he was just shy of that mark last year with 14.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg) I am excited to see him play with freshman shooting guard Willie Warren. This inside-outside combo could make them a dangerous team and give Texas a run for their money for the Big 12 conference title. That could boost him to A-A status.
The Jruth
Submitted by E Reid (not verified) on Tue, 2008-11-04 11:05.
Good work as usual Ryter. WHen you talk about Freshmen who could have moonster years what about Jrue Holliday at UCLA? He was one of the nations top prospects coming into this year and could be a stud out in Cali.
Holiday
Submitted by Matthew Ryter on Wed, 2008-11-05 15:13.
You're absolutely right, Jrue Holiday could have a monster year. I believe him playing along side Collison though will hurt his numbers. Those two together make up one of the best backcourts in the nation. Don't get me wrong, I agree that he will have a great impact on that squad, just don't see him earning All-American honors this season.
All-Name Team
Submitted by Aiken (not verified) on Wed, 2008-11-05 13:40.
Ryter, that Jrue Holliday post got me thinking about this year's all name team. Can we expect some input from the CHN staff on who this year's God Shamgod (greatest bball name of all time?) will be?
good question, its Holiday
Submitted by Shawn Siegel on Wed, 2008-11-05 13:49.
good question, its Holiday btw guys, and not holliday. i usually do a best names in college hoops article each year. #1 still has to be chief kickingstallionsims whose now a senior on alabama a&m. havent done my "research" on any of the top new names yet.
Issues with Ryter's Block
Submitted by Soderburg (not verified) on Wed, 2008-11-05 23:26.
You have no idea what you are talking about. No wonder you are not good enough to work at ESPN.
Don't listen to that Soderburg clown...
Submitted by Puneet (not verified) on Thu, 2008-11-06 00:30.
...he can't even spell Hansbrough. Good stuff Ryter. As far as guys who could sneak onto this list by season's end, I like Patterson and Young a lot. I like Flynn and Harden too but don't see them makin it and I would put AJ Abrams a notch ahead of fellow Longhorn Damion James. Others I could see up there are Chase Budinger, Jack McClinton, AJ Price, Kyle Singler, Ty Lawson. Thoughts?
(Sorry but Weyinmi Efejuku just misses the cut since he can't play all his games against UConn)
Ryters Block is a joke
Submitted by Roselli (not verified) on Wed, 2008-11-19 14:49.
This is the worst blog I have ever read...I bet ur some lenky, metro sexual, who slicks his hair up everyday, and your prolly from northern jersey too...wishing he lived in hoboken...whata loser!
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About Matthew Ryter
Contact
matthew.ryter@gmail.com
Background
Matt Ryter is a graduate of Providence College. He is a life long college basketball junkie. Although his Friars may not be atop the Big East, he follows the conference religiously. When Matt worked at ESPN he was a part of the Stats and Analysis team where he mainly covered college basketball. Matt wears black Nike socks whenever he can to honor the Fab Five.
Location
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I understand Harangody is
I understand Harangody is the reigning POY for the Big East, but he never blew me away with his skills. I know averaging 20 and 10 in the best league is quite an accomplishment, but he just does not impress me as a player. I think AJ Price should get some consideration for a sleeper. His team crumbled in the tournament when he went down last year and UCONN's success will be contingent upon him playing well and leading the team. And being the #2 team in the nation, he will have plenty of opportunity to shine. Also, do you think there are any incoming freshmen that might have a chance at cracking this list?