By Anthony Voelpel
When Florida repeated as the national champs last year, it is safe to say it left a very unsatisfying feeling for many college hoops fans (that are obviously not part of the Gator nation). With that said, the anticipation for this season is building up faster than the Mayweather – De La Hoya fight of last May. And if the parity rivals that of this years college football season, Dickie V is going to have a heart attack.
Before you is the real preview you need, to get know players who will hold more of a household name than your favorite celebrity (other than the admired Lindsay Lohan of course).
All Zack Morris Team:
These are the studs and big time scorers coming into the season. And I’m sure Kelly Kaposwski wouldn’t mind going steady with one of these All- Americans.
1. Tyler Hansbrough (UNC)
2. Roy Hibbert (G-Town)
3. Chris Lofton (Tennessee)
4. C. Douglas-Roberts (Memphis)
5. Drew Neitzel (Michigan St.)
All Kevin Durant Team:
These 18- and 19- year-olds will have an immediate impact to their team’s success (just like Kevin). In blatant terms, these are the five best freshmen in the land.
1. Kevin Love (UCLA)
2. Eric Gordon (Indiana)
3. O.J. Mayo (USC)
4. Derrick Rose (Memphis)
5. Michael Beasly (Kansas St.)
All Kenny Tyler Team:
Like Kenny Tyler from “The 6th Man” these point guards have what it takes to lead their teams to net cutting services come April.
1. Scottie Reynolds (‘Nova)
2. Sean Singletary (Virginia)
3. D.J. Augustine (Texas)
4. Drew Neitzel (Michigan St.)
5. Mario Chalmers (Kansas)
All Yogi Bear Team:
They are the hibernators (or sleepers) in the country. These guys may not get the respect they deserve but they are absolutely not to be overlooked, ever.
1. Eric Devendorf (Syracuse)
2. Chase Budinger (Arizona)
3. James Gist (Maryland)
4. Darren Collison (UCLA)
5. Ty Lawson (UNC)
All “And-why-wasn’t-I recruited-by-big-time-programs again?” Team:
The best Mid Major players in the country.
1. Antoine Agudio (Hofstra)
2. A.J. Graves (Butler)
3. Eric Maynor (VCU)
4. Trey Johnson (Jackson St.)
5. Reggie Williams (VMI)
All Mickey D’s Team
These boys are golden from behind the arc.
1. A.J. Abrams (Texas)
2. Ronald Ramon (Pittsburgh)
3. Tyrese Rice (BC)
4. Chris Lofton (Tennessee)
5. Colin Falls (Notre Dame)
All Felony Team
Five guys who’ll pick your pocket faster than a gypsy in the old country.
1. Jerel McNeal (Marquette)
2. Jamon Gordon (Va. Tech)
3. Mario Chalmers (Kansas)
4. Paul Gause (Seton Hall)
5. Eric Maynor (VCU)
All Riker’s Island Prison Guard Team
Like a block party, these players shut down the lane. And if you do come through, they will straight mess you up.
1. Roy Hibbert (G-Town)
2. Hasheem Thabeet (UConn)
3. Stephane Lasme (UMASS)
4. Darryl Watkins (Syracuse)
5. Darrelll Arthur (Kansas)
All William Wallace Team
These players get so emotional and fired up, you would think they are fighting a war for the independence of Scotland.
1. Tyler Hansbrough (UNC)
2. Deron Washinton (Va. Tech)
3. Joey Dorsey (Memphis)
4. Taj Gibson (USC)
5. Greg Paulus (Duke)
All Keyshawn Johnson Team
Just “give these guys the damn ball!” down the stretch with the game on the line.
1. Derek Raivio (Gonzaga)
2. Greivis Vasquez (Maryland)
3. Carl Landry (Purdue)
4. Antoine Agudio (Hofstra)
5. JameSon Curry (Okla. St.)
All Batman and Robin Team
Best backcourt- frontcourt duos in America
1. Lawson and Hansbrough
(UNC)
2. Sosa and Padgett
(Louisville)
3. Wallace and Hibbert
(G-Town)
4. Collison and Love
(UCLA)
5. Carter and Jones
(Texas A&M)
All Rudy Team
Five guys with a lot to prove.
1. O. J. Mayo (USC)
2. Gerald Henderson (Duke)
3. Josh Heyvelt (Gonzaga)
4. Aleks Maric (Nebraska)
5. Lavance Fields (Pittsburgh)
All Suitcase Team
Five coaches who packed their bags and headed for new schools with suitcase filled with big dreams.
1. Billy Gillespie (Kentucky)
2. John Beilein (Michigan)
3. Tubby Smith (Minnesota)
4. Todd Lickliter (Iowa)
5. Steve Alford (New Mexico)
All Steve McNair Team
These guys can either put up huge numbers or have a ghost like presence. However, if being inconsistent was the name of the game, they’d be your number one draft pick.
1. DeMarcus Nelson (Duke)
2. Joe Crawford (Kentucky)
3. Justin Mason (Texas)
4. Mike Cook (Pittsburgh)
5. Dante Cunningham (‘Nova)