All-American Teams

 Niang a 1st team All-American? I don’t think so.

14.9 ppg 5.3 apg and 3.5 apg for a 17-6 team that is tied for 4th in the Big 12 doesn’t cut it for me. He’s also a negative defensively. I think Buddy Hield is the Big 12 POTY, and I don’t even think he’s 1st team All-American worthy. 

Buddy is averaging more points, and rebounds ( as a shooting guard ) for a team that is ranked higher in the league. 17.6 ppg 5.5 rpg 1.9 apg PLUS he’s an above average defender.

I think Niang is a nice talent, but he’s not having a 1st team All-American type season. If Hield is 3rd team ( which I think is about right, maybe 2nd team ), then Niang should be honorable mention. 

Also strange that you chose Kevin Pangos over Kyle Wiltjer as the representative for Gonzaga. Kyle has been the most dynamic player for that team. Kind of strange for a 3 point specialist averaging 12 ppg to be a 2nd team All-American, while his teammate dropping 20 every night ( who’s also just a few % points below Pangos in 3 point percentage ) is completely snubbed. 

 Niang a 1st team All-American? I don’t think so.

14.9 ppg 5.3 apg and 3.5 apg for a 17-6 team that is tied for 4th in the Big 12 doesn’t cut it for me. He’s also a negative defensively. I think Buddy Hield is the Big 12 POTY, and I don’t even think he’s 1st team All-American worthy. 

Buddy is averaging more points, and rebounds ( as a shooting guard ) for a team that is ranked higher in the league. 17.6 ppg 5.5 rpg 1.9 apg PLUS he’s an above average defender.

I think Niang is a nice talent, but he’s not having a 1st team All-American type season. If Hield is 3rd team ( which I think is about right, maybe 2nd team ), then Niang should be honorable mention. 

Also strange that you chose Kevin Pangos over Kyle Wiltjer as the representative for Gonzaga. Kyle has been the most dynamic player for that team. Kind of strange for a 3 point specialist averaging 12 ppg to be a 2nd team All-American, while his teammate dropping 20 every night ( who’s also just a few % points below Pangos in 3 point percentage ) is completely snubbed. 

You sure like your mid major guards don’t you? I personally see maybe Pangos and Wright competeing for a 3rd team spot, but Haws and Baker don’t have a chance. Also, very interested to see someone like Niang on your 1st team, and not have someone like Montrezl Harrell on any of your teams. Harrell averages more points, rebounds, and shoots a better FG% than Niang, and is on a team with a better record. Don’t quite understand that one. 

You sure like your mid major guards don’t you? I personally see maybe Pangos and Wright competeing for a 3rd team spot, but Haws and Baker don’t have a chance. Also, very interested to see someone like Niang on your 1st team, and not have someone like Montrezl Harrell on any of your teams. Harrell averages more points, rebounds, and shoots a better FG% than Niang, and is on a team with a better record. Don’t quite understand that one. 

 List wan’t terrible, though I agree with Wolf on Niang. Hasn’t been all that good this year and I think Hield/Nash have been better in the Big 12. Honestly I’m not sure who should take his spot on the 1st team AA squad though because I’m drawing a blank on who’s been great. I think Wiltjer, Hield, Henton and Cauley-Stein would be better options for that spot. 

I actually don’t ave a huge problem with the mid-major guards…though i doubt guys like Baker and Pangos get the nods because they aren’t having as good of seasons as their reputations. 

 List wan’t terrible, though I agree with Wolf on Niang. Hasn’t been all that good this year and I think Hield/Nash have been better in the Big 12. Honestly I’m not sure who should take his spot on the 1st team AA squad though because I’m drawing a blank on who’s been great. I think Wiltjer, Hield, Henton and Cauley-Stein would be better options for that spot. 

I actually don’t ave a huge problem with the mid-major guards…though i doubt guys like Baker and Pangos get the nods because they aren’t having as good of seasons as their reputations. 

 What’s unique about this season is that there really aren’t that many players this season on elite teams that are having standout seasons, at least statistically. For example, someone like cauley-stein is having a phenomenal season, but due to the overall depth of Kentucky, his numbers are pretty average and definitely wouldn’t seem to warrant all-american consideration. 

To me,kaminsky, okafor, Russell and grant are no-brainers but that fifth spot is really up for grabs. Right now, I’d probably go with wiltjer, but I could see the argument for Stanley Johnson, delon wright, and heild. Even someone like Malcolm brogdon could sneak in there if Virginia can continue their current pace and he steps up with Anderson out.

 What’s unique about this season is that there really aren’t that many players this season on elite teams that are having standout seasons, at least statistically. For example, someone like cauley-stein is having a phenomenal season, but due to the overall depth of Kentucky, his numbers are pretty average and definitely wouldn’t seem to warrant all-american consideration. 

To me,kaminsky, okafor, Russell and grant are no-brainers but that fifth spot is really up for grabs. Right now, I’d probably go with wiltjer, but I could see the argument for Stanley Johnson, delon wright, and heild. Even someone like Malcolm brogdon could sneak in there if Virginia can continue their current pace and he steps up with Anderson out.

lebryan nash is putting up some numbers that should give him consideration for 2nd or 3rd team in my opinion.  especially if okst. finishes in the top 15.

lebryan nash is putting up some numbers that should give him consideration for 2nd or 3rd team in my opinion.  especially if okst. finishes in the top 15.

 I would put Willie Cauley Stein on the 1st team.  Without him the Wildcats wouldn’t be great.  He is basically their main guy.

Only averaging 9 and 6 with 1.6 blocks per game — but he is doing it in only 25 minutes.  He is also shooting around 60% from the field and getting 1.4 steals per game.  He is (I think) the most important player on teh most dominant team in college ball right now.

 I would put Willie Cauley Stein on the 1st team.  Without him the Wildcats wouldn’t be great.  He is basically their main guy.

Only averaging 9 and 6 with 1.6 blocks per game — but he is doing it in only 25 minutes.  He is also shooting around 60% from the field and getting 1.4 steals per game.  He is (I think) the most important player on teh most dominant team in college ball right now.

 To me, you should sub in WCS for Niang, and then proceed to take Niang off the list entirely.

I know WCS doesn’t have the eye-popping stats like some of the others on this list, but he anchors the second best defense in the country & is arguably the best player on the last remaining undefeated team in college basketball. That should count for something.

 To me, you should sub in WCS for Niang, and then proceed to take Niang off the list entirely.

I know WCS doesn’t have the eye-popping stats like some of the others on this list, but he anchors the second best defense in the country & is arguably the best player on the last remaining undefeated team in college basketball. That should count for something.

Someone on Kentucky has to be a 1st team All-American if they go undefeated. You need to reward that.

Someone on Kentucky has to be a 1st team All-American if they go undefeated. You need to reward that.

 I’ll play devil’s advocate on that last post in that I disagree that the best team necessarily needs to be rewarded with an All-American. They are rewarded plenty with an undefeated record. I think Cauley-Stein could be an AA because in their games against good teams, he stands out and looks like the best player on the floor. Was the best player on the floor against Kansas, Texas, L’Ville, and UNC. He dominates defensively and I agree with whoever said without him they’d not be undefeated. I think Kentucky would have at least three or four losses at this point without him. 

That’s not to say that the best team automatically deserves to have somebody on the AA team though. Its a team game and if the team wins because of excellent collective effort, why do we need to put an individual on a list that rewards individual production? 

 I’ll play devil’s advocate on that last post in that I disagree that the best team necessarily needs to be rewarded with an All-American. They are rewarded plenty with an undefeated record. I think Cauley-Stein could be an AA because in their games against good teams, he stands out and looks like the best player on the floor. Was the best player on the floor against Kansas, Texas, L’Ville, and UNC. He dominates defensively and I agree with whoever said without him they’d not be undefeated. I think Kentucky would have at least three or four losses at this point without him. 

That’s not to say that the best team automatically deserves to have somebody on the AA team though. Its a team game and if the team wins because of excellent collective effort, why do we need to put an individual on a list that rewards individual production? 

 If a UK player makes 1st team AA, I think it should be Towns before WCS. Towns averages the same amount of points, more rebounds, assists, and blocks in 5 less minutes of play. WCS is one of those overhyped players that gets a lot of attention for making a Top 10 caliber play 1-2 times a game, but I don’t think he makes as big of an impact as everyone thinks he does. Personally, I think neither should be considered for a spot considering they’re only playing 20-25 minutes a game, but if people are hellbent on giving UK a 1st teamer for going undefeated I think Towns should be the man over WCS.

 If a UK player makes 1st team AA, I think it should be Towns before WCS. Towns averages the same amount of points, more rebounds, assists, and blocks in 5 less minutes of play. WCS is one of those overhyped players that gets a lot of attention for making a Top 10 caliber play 1-2 times a game, but I don’t think he makes as big of an impact as everyone thinks he does. Personally, I think neither should be considered for a spot considering they’re only playing 20-25 minutes a game, but if people are hellbent on giving UK a 1st teamer for going undefeated I think Towns should be the man over WCS.

 TWill, I will disagree with you respectfully. Towns has been really good lately, but he’s had a lot of games where he didn’t do anything to stand out. WCS has stood out in a majority of the games they’ve played in. He’s not going to put up big numbers, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s their most important player. His defensive impact is huge. He can guard just about anybody on the floor, he blocks shots, alters shots, doesn’t even allow his guy to catch the ball in the post, and makes momentum shifting plays. 

I like Towns alot and he’s been really good the last few games, and I’d take him over WCS in the draft, but to this point, the impact hasn’t really been that close between the two in my opinion. 

 TWill, I will disagree with you respectfully. Towns has been really good lately, but he’s had a lot of games where he didn’t do anything to stand out. WCS has stood out in a majority of the games they’ve played in. He’s not going to put up big numbers, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s their most important player. His defensive impact is huge. He can guard just about anybody on the floor, he blocks shots, alters shots, doesn’t even allow his guy to catch the ball in the post, and makes momentum shifting plays. 

I like Towns alot and he’s been really good the last few games, and I’d take him over WCS in the draft, but to this point, the impact hasn’t really been that close between the two in my opinion.