College Basketball Awards Preview: Top-25, NPOY, How the Hell Are They Still in College, All-Americans

Reags 10/14/2016 11:56 AM

If you’re a college basketball junkie you’re getting cised knowing Midnight Madness is tonight. Despite the fact practices have been going on, this truly signifies the start of the season. We’re less than a month away from real games being played and someone ranked high in these rankings losing an awful game.

So what better time to come out with the awards preview? We’ll take a look at the top-25 rankings using some videos to show certain plays/players that will roll over to this year. On top of that I’ll give you my preseason All-American Teams, National Player of the Year and How the Hell Are They Still in College Team – otherwise known as the Robbie Hummel-Team.

I’m sure you’ll disagree with me, so let me know your picks on Twitter @barstoolreags

Top-25

Duke

An excellent offensive team is about to get even better. Sure, they lose Brandon Ingram who was a large part of that offense last year, but they do get back Grayson Allen and a plethora of scoring options. Despite Harry Giles missing about six weeks to another knee injury, the frontcourt depth with Bolden, Jefferson and Jeter can make up for his absence. What they did last year was score in transition. The Blue Devils score 1.12 points per possession in transition and no one was better than Allen in that. Hell, Allen scored on 73% of his transition points. What makes him so good? The ability to leak out and finish like this.

Kentucky

The most important thing for Kentucky this year? The two ‘veterans’ in Isaiah Briscoe and Derek Willis shooting the ball. Briscoe was God awful shooting last year while Willis was a bright spot. If he can continue to shoot the ball well, he’ll be able to play and stretch the floor so Malik Monk and D’Aaron Fox can drive. Cal used Willis in a lot of spot up and pick-and-pop plays. We’ll see a lot of that again this year. Watch here as Willis goes to set the high screen, Murray doesn’t really use it so Willis relocates to the wing. Open 3.

Kansas

Somehow, every year, Kansas finds itself somewhere in the top-10 heading into the season. This year is no different as they return almost all the key pieces to last year’s Elite Eight team. Oh, and they get to add Josh Jackson – who was the No. 1 recruit in the country by some publications. While Self runs a lot of the hi-lo, when he needs someone to bail them out, Devonte’ Graham is someone to look at. Last year he shot 50% out of an isolation set and has the quickness and strength to finish in the paint. On top of that he’s become a much better shooter from deep and well, has these handles too.

Villanova

We all know what Nova did last year. This team is completely loaded coming back again thanks to one name in particular. Josh Hart (more on him late). Yes, they didn’t get Omari Spellman eligible, but there is plenty of depth in the frontcourt. The ball will be in Jalen Brunson’s hands more this year and that’s not a bad thing. If he can be more consistent – as he should – there won’t be any problems with Nova’s offense.

Oregon

You’ve heard all about Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey, but names to remember for Oregon include Dylan Ennis and Chris Boucher. Both got an extra year of eligibility and both provide something a little different. Boucher is an elite shot-blocker who stands at 6’10” and shot about 35% from behind the arc. He helps leave the paint open while also doing the opposite on the defensive side of the ball. Ennis, who transferred from Villanova last year missed pretty much the whole season because of injury. Ennis is another ball-handler for Oregon and a strong guard defender.

Wisconsin
Virginia
Arizona
Michigan State
Xavier
Gonzaga
Louisville
UNC
St. Mary’s
Indiana
Texas
Rhode Island
Dayton
Syracuse
UConn
UCLA
Creighton
Purdue
Texas A&M
Virginia Tech

National Player of the Year: Josh Hart (Villanova)

Honorable Mentions: Markelle Fultz (Washington), Grayson Allen (Duke)

While Hart won’t blow anyone away with his scoring – he’s projected to score about 16 per game this season, he will blow everyone away with his efficiency. Hart scored 1.119 points per possession, which was in the 96^th percentile in the country this year. Factor in the fact Villanova will likely win 30 games and be a top-2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, he’ll be talked about all year. Hart has hinted that he wants to be more like Buddy Hield with his shooting and scoring, but it’s hard to see a Jay Wright team having someone be that dominant.

All-American Teams

First Team:

Josh Hart (Villanova)

Markelle Fultz (Washington)

Grayson Allen (Duke)

Etan Happ (Wisconsin)

Josh Jackson (Kansas)

Second Team:

Monte Morris (Iowa State)

Dennis Smith Jr. (North Carolina State)

Edmond Sumner (Xavier)

Ivan Rabb (Cal)

Bam Adebayo (Kentucky)

Third Team:

Lonzo Ball (UCLA)

Nigel Williams-Goss (Gonzaga)

Alec Peters (Valparaiso)

Dillon Brooks (Oregon)

Jarron Blossomgame (Clemson)

How The Hell Are They Still in College Team

Pretty simple formula here as I’ve been doing these for about seven years now. These are the guys who have been in college forever. The ones you turn the TV on and go ‘no way is Scott Martin still playing for Notre Dame.’

First Team:

Spike Albrech – Captain (Purdue)

Stillman White (UNC)

Frank Mason (Kansas)

Amile Jefferson (Duke)

Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin)

Second Team:

JJ Frazier (Georgia)

London Perrantes (Virginia)

Monte Morris (Iowa State)

Alex Murphy (Northeastern)

Bryce Alford (UCLA)

Podcast: I sat down with Terrence Payne of NBC Sports to preview the upcoming season. We talked about what teams are true title contenders, who are National Player of the Year candidates and a whole lot of Duke. Check it out here: