First Team Pre-Season AA

[Lighthouse 84]

From 247, it's TK.

https://247sports.com/longformarticle/hunter-dickinson-zach-edey-college-basketball-247sports-2023-24-preseason-all-americans-217857533/

[SaveOD238]

From 247, it's TK.

https://247sports.com/longformarticle/hunter-dickinson-zach-edey-college-basketball-247sports-2023-24-preseason-all-americans-217857533/

I couldn't help but notice that this year's All-American list looks a little more, uh, "traditional" than in other years.

Glad to see TKO on the list.  And a lot of Big East representation.

[tower912]

Congratulations, TKo.  Well deserved. 

[NCMUFan]

Congratulations Tyler.

[Jockey]

That team would get absolutely crushed by any half-decent college team.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

That team would get absolutely crushed by any half-decent college team.

Well...duh. It's 4 centers and TKO. It's not meant to be an actual team, just honoring the perceived top 5 players in basketball.

[brewcity77]

That team would get absolutely crushed by any half-decent college team.

Personally, I hate these kinds of teams. If you want two bigs because they're that dominant, fine, but at least give a passing resemblance to a basketball team.

[PointWarrior]

Personally, I hate these kinds of teams. If you want two bigs because they're that dominant, fine, but at least give a passing resemblance to a basketball team.

Write a letter...

[MU82]

Kolek is gonna be on all the All-American teams, including the recognized "official" one by the AP.

And to think, a year ago, there was legitimate concern that he would be a good enough PG to even get us into the NCAA tournament.

I admit that I was a skeptic. I admired his passing ability and leadership skills, but I was concerned about his shooting, his lack of float game and finishing around the hoop, and his reluctance (and/or inability) to go to his right.

Obviously, I wasn't the only skeptic. There were plenty of other doubters here on Scoop. And I don't think Big East coaches would've picked Marquette to finish 9th last season if they knew we'd have the BEPOY playing point for us (and they theoretically know a lot about basketball). F'em!

I am absolutely thrilled that Kolek proved me and the other skeptics wrong. His incredible improvement from MU Year 1 to Year 2 is a testament to Shaka and the other coaches, as well as to the player's willingness to work his arse off in the offseason. (Similar kudos to Oso, Kam, O-Max and others.)

I am excited to see how much better he still can become, and to see how much other players will improve this season.

Congrats to Tyler for honors well-deserved.

[tower912]

Well said.   After the Illinois game during g TKo's first year at MU, I said his play in that game reminded me of Brunson.   Of course,  I then hedged because who would compare a shooting guard transfer from an A-10 school playing PG out of necessity to a first team All-American?   But here we are.   Hard work and no fear have led Tyler to this honor.   

[wadesworld]

All American teams should recognize the best players in the game.  Unless you're going to actually put them out on a basketball court to play together, there shouldn't be any concern over "roster construction."  If the 5 best players in the game are point guards, or centers, put 5 point guards or centers on the First Team All America list.

[panda]

Well said.   After the Illinois game during g TKo's first year at MU, I said his play in that game reminded me of Brunson.   Of course,  I then hedged because who would compare a shooting guard transfer from an A-10 school playing PG out of necessity to a first team All-American?   But here we are.   Hard work and no fear have led Tyler to this honor.   

Flip flop complete

[brewcity77]

All American teams should recognize the best players in the game.  Unless you're going to actually put them out on a basketball court to play together, there shouldn't be any concern over "roster construction."  If the 5 best players in the game are point guards, or centers, put 5 point guards or centers on the First Team All America list.

Honest question, why? Why should it not recognize the best players at their respective positions? Does this mean that college All-American teams should have 8 quarterbacks and 3 running backs on offense? 6 linebackers and 5 defensive ends on defense?

If your team can't even remotely be considered a team, what is the point of calling it a team? That's obviously not what it is. Words have meaning. An All-American "team" should be the best realistically constructed team. Otherwise just call it "All-American Top-5."

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Honest question, why? Why should it not recognize the best players at their respective positions? Does this mean that college All-American teams should have 8 quarterbacks and 3 running backs on offense? 6 linebackers and 5 defensive ends on defense?

If your team can't even remotely be considered a team, what is the point of calling it a team? That's obviously not what it is. Words have meaning. An All-American "team" should be the best realistically constructed team. Otherwise just call it "All-American Top-5."

Basketball is different than football. Positions are fluid in basketball,  they are rigid in football.  A pg is allowed to do anything a center can. A lineman cannot do what a reciever can by rule. And while PGs are generally considered more valuable than the other positions....QBs are so much more valuable than every other position. Different sports, different needs

[JWags85]

2 BE in the first team and 4 total on the 3 teams is pretty awesome.

Also Bacot is the new Perry Ellis. I think he played with Hansbrough

[brewcity77]

Basketball is different than football. Positions are fluid in basketball,  they are rigid in football.  A pg is allowed to do anything a center can. A lineman cannot do what a reciever can by rule. And while PGs are generally considered more valuable than the other positions....QBs are so much more valuable than every other position. Different sports, different needs

Not fluid to the point you could put those five on a court together and expect to win.

If someone wants to go 3 guards and 2 forwards, or 2 guards, 1 wing, 2 centers, or something else that could reasonably be construed as a basketball team, so be it. But one guard and four centers? That just stretches credulity.

[The Sultan]

I kinda think pre-season AA teams are useless.

[Hards Alumni]

I kinda think pre-season AA teams are useless.

If you put em in a blender with post season AA teams, you get mid season AA teams.

[Shooter McGavin]

Well said 82.

Sultan, I agree that preseason AA status has no true meaning.  The award was not earned.  But it does have value for the person as far as potential NIL deals and publicity for the person and the school they play for.  I'm sure for Tyler its nice recognition going into the season and it may help him lock down the post season award if all things are equal.

[The Sultan]

Well said 82.

Sultan, I agree that preseason AA status has no true meaning.  The award was not earned.  But it does have value for the person as far as potential NIL deals and publicity for the person and the school they play for.  I'm sure for Tyler its nice recognition going into the season and it may help him lock down the post season award if all things are equal.

I was just named Pre-November Employee of the Month!

[wadesworld]

Honest question, why? Why should it not recognize the best players at their respective positions? Does this mean that college All-American teams should have 8 quarterbacks and 3 running backs on offense? 6 linebackers and 5 defensive ends on defense?

If your team can't even remotely be considered a team, what is the point of calling it a team? That's obviously not what it is. Words have meaning. An All-American "team" should be the best realistically constructed team. Otherwise just call it "All-American Top-5."

What kind of meaning do words have though?  Is the MVP of the NFL or NBA really the most valuable player, or is it the best player?  I'd argue SGA is a lot more valuable to the Thunder (or at least was last year) than Jokic was to the Nuggets.

You aren't playing a basketball game with this "team."  You're just recognizing the best players.  If the top 20 college basketball players are made up of 10 guards and 10 centers, why should the 22nd best player (a forward/wing) in college basketball make First Team All American while the 11th might not make a team (if the 11th best player is the 7th best guard, sorry bud!  Gotta fill out my team to...write it on a sheet of paper)?

[lawdog77]

I was just named Pre-November Employee of the Month!

I nominated you for Pre-November scoop poster of the Month. Or is that the same as what you just posted?

[brewcity77]

What kind of meaning do words have though?  Is the MVP of the NFL or NBA really the most valuable player, or is it the best player?  I'd argue SGA is a lot more valuable to the Thunder (or at least was last year) than Jokic was to the Nuggets.

You aren't playing a basketball game with this "team."  You're just recognizing the best players.  If the top 20 college basketball players are made up of 10 guards and 10 centers, why should the 22nd best player (a forward/wing) in college basketball make First Team All American while the 11th might not make a team (if the 11th best player is the 7th best guard, sorry bud!  Gotta fill out my team to...write it on a sheet of paper)?

We have plenty of top-XX lists. Recruiting rankings, the Almanac (and others) top-100 players, if that's what you want to do, do that. If it's going to be called a team, then in my opinion, make it look like a team.

Putting out a list is fine if that's your intent, but if you're going to call it something using a word that has a meaning, then apply the meaning of that word to the work you put in. Every year, college basketball gives out awards to the best PG, SG, SF, PF, and C. As basketball becomes more positionless, I understand adhering to those strict definitions a bit less (particularly as Marquette would probably classify 6'2" Stevie Mitchell as their SF, and guys like Ben Gold and David Joplin can flex from the 3 to the 4 to the 5 on a given possession), but having at least some adherence to the game we watch makes a lot more sense when creating a "team."

[Shooter McGavin]

I was just named Pre-November Employee of the Month!

Nice!!  Well done!

[tower912]

I was just named Pre-November Employee of the Month!

That will help you get over your case of the Mondays.   Make sure you keep using enough flair!