The following is Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan’s preseason Associated Press ballot for men’s college basketball All-Americans.
Keegan’s take:
The instruction given to Associated Press All-American voters: “The only qualification is that each must be a team that can take the floor.”
In other words, don’t stock the team with all perimeter or all post players.
Purdue’s JaJuan Johnson was the first name I chose because he’s the best pure post player in the country. Next, I wrote down Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen, the first guard who popped into my head. Then I picked the forwards, Duke’s Kyle Singler and KU’s Marcus Morris, a pair of players who sting from inside and out. Morris has big junior year written all over him. He’s developed into a very hard worker. He’s gained more valuable national experience over the summer and he has such a versatile game.
The toughest call came as to which guard to put next to Pullen: BYU’s Jimmer Fredette or Duke’s Kyrie Irving. A preseason All-American team is a guess and to leave off freshmen automatically is to deny the age we live in. I gave the nod to Irving, a true point guard surrounded by so much talent he has a great chance to play at his best in a hurry.
For me, the only surprise on the first team was North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes. Those who have seen a lot of both Barnes and Irving don’t express the same wow-factor when speaking about Barnes. Plus, with the ball in his hands far more often, it will be easier for Irving to stand out. I never considered voting for Barnes.
