SB Nation’s 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Preseason All-Americans
Craig Brackins, 6-10 F, Jr. (Iowa State): Brackins, a likely NBA first round pick, stayed in school because he felt he had business to take care of in Ames, namely bringing the Cyclones back to the NCAAs. He put himself on everyone's radar when he scored 42 and snagged 14 boards against Kansas last season. But that was in a 15-point loss. Brackins even went 3 for 5 from three-point range in that game, and his outside shooting makes him even more dangerous (especially as he worked on it while on the American team for the Universiade). If the newcomers Greg McDermott has lined up for the Cyclones are able to help Brackins out at all, they'll have a chance to dance. Having someone who averaged 20 points and almost 10 boards a game on the roster is a great start.
Sherron Collins, 5-11 G, Sr. (Kansas): Collins wasn't as highly regarded as Aldrich by NBA scouts because of his size (especially in a draft class full of point guards), so it was fairly easy for him to give up the chance at NBA riches for a chance at April glory. Collins averaged nearly 19 points per game last season, while contributing almost 5 assists per contest. Collins is the team's heart and soul and his senior leadership will be a positive influence on a team with so many newcomers who are expected to contribute immediately. The one aspect of his game he could stand to improve is turnovers. His assist to turnover ratio of 4.9/3.3 is a bit high for an elite point guard.
Luke Harangody, 6-8 F, Sr. (Notre Dame): Harangody returns for his senior year in South Bend after a junior campaign that was an individual success, but a team disappointment. Harangody averaged a stout 23.5 points per game and 11.8 rebounds per game. He shot well overall (46.3%) and from three-point land (36.1%). With his return, Harangody has the chance to set all-time Big East marks in both scoring and rebounds, which, given the history of the conference, would be quite an accomplishment.
Jerome Randle, 5-10 G, Sr. (California): Randle is an offensive force, plain and simple While his average of 18.3 points per game is impressive enough, his percentages are staggering--50 percent from the floor, 46 percent from three-point range, and 86 percent from the charity stripe. Even with all of that shooting, Randle still managed to chip in 5 assists per contest. He could work on his defense a little, as he only managed 0.7 steals per contest, but his efficient offensive output more than makes up for any defensive efficiencies.
Evan Turner, 6-7 G/F, Jr. (Ohio State): If I were to designate one player on this team as "Mr. Versatility," it would be Evan Turner. He's spent time at both guard positions, small forward, and power forward during his time at Columbus. As I mentioned in Manny Harris' entry, Turner does a little bit of everything and is quite good at it. Offensively, he could shoot the three a bit more, as he shot 44% from distance, while averaging under an attempt a game. His assist-to-turnover ratio is also shockingly close to 1 (4/3.5), but the presence of healthy contributors on the floor (I'm looking at you, David Lighty.) should decrease the pressure on Turner to do everything for the Buckeyes.
