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Preseason Mid-Major All-American team
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With the announcement of the 2008-2009 AP pre-season All-American team, I have put together my own version of the All-American team. Too many times, players from "Mid-Major" programs do not get the national attention they deserve until the NCAA Tournament.
Of course, this year is a little different with Davidson guard Stephen Curry because of the run he and the Wildcats had in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. And the fact that Curry is the son of former NBA sharpshooter, Del Curry. Curry was selected to this year's AP preseason All-American squad along with North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough, UCLA guard Darren Collison, Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin.
Before I reveal my picks, I just want to explain to all my readers out there that since Mid-Major programs are largely dominated by guard play, I have chosen to go with four guards and one forward for my All-America squad. Feel free to complain if you want, but this is the way it should be in the world of the Mid-Majors.
So without further ado, here are my selections for the 2008-2009 preseason Mid-Major All-American team:
STEPHEN CURRY, G - Davidson
I have to start off with Curry, who is coming off a stellar sophomore season in which he averaged 25.9 points-per-game and 4.6 rebounds-per-game. Curry is one of the best pure shooters in college basketball today and he showed it last year with a 44% three-point field goal shooting percentage. His ability to score has put the Davidson Wildcats on the National map and has his team ranked in the AP preseason Top 25.
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PATRICK MILLS, G - Saint Mary's (CA)
Fresh off his experience as a member of the Australian team in the 2008 Olympic games, Patrick Mils might be the fastest guard, not only out of all the Mid-Major programs in the country, but possible in the entire nation. In his freshman year, Mills averaged 14.8 points-per-game and 3.5 assists-per-game and led the Saint Mary's Gaels to an NCAA Tournament berth. Mills has the ability to drive the lane and go coast-to-coast at any given moment and he most likely will lead the Gaels to another NCAA Tournament appearance this season.
ERIC MAYNOR, G - Virginia Commonwealth
Eric Maynor is back for his senior season at VCU and he is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, Maynor averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds-per-game, but could not lead the Rams back to the Big Dance. Two seasons ago, VCU entered in the Field of 65 as a number-11 seed and knocked off ACC-powerhouse, Duke, in the first round. This year, the Rams are again the favorite to win the Colonial Athletic Association and if they get to the NCAA Tournament, look out for another first-round upset.
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KENNY HASBROUCK, G - Siena
The Siena Saints won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference last season and entering the NCAA Tournament, most of the country did not know what they were capable of. Well, with a first round thrashing of the number-four seeded Vanderbilt Commodores, college basketball fans knew what the Saints could do. This was thanks in large part to guard Kenny Hasbrouck, who had 30 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the field and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line in Siena's 83-62 win over Vandy. For the season, Hasbrouck averaged 16.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists-per-game. Now on the national stage, Hasbrouck and the Saints will be able to show their stuff in the regular season against top programs such as Tennessee, Kansas, Pittsburgh and Saint Joseph's.
JOSH HEYTVELT, F - Gonzaga
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are back once again and are ranked in the AP pre-season Top 25. Forward Josh Heytvelt is a big reason for this optimism as the 6'11" 238-pound forward is back for his senior season. Heytvelt only played in 22 games last season but still averaged 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds-per-game. Heytvelt is a big presence inside and at the Mid-Major level, a 6'11" skilled big man is a rarity. If the Zags are looking to have success both during the regular season and in the NCAA Tournament, Heytvelt will need to have a big year.
