The Melo Backpedal

All-American talk is a good filler between the regular season and the NCAA Tournament, so we figured we’d take a closer look before we release some of our NCAA Tournament picks later this week. You’ve likely heard other writers dishing out their pick for All-American honors, so here’s ours. Take a look.

Andrew’s Pick’s:

First Team

F - Michael Beasley, Kansas State, Freshman — (26.5 PPG, 12.4 RPG, .389 3-PT%)
Beasley has arguably been the most dominant player in college basketball this season, and while we thought we had seen a once-in-a-generation player last season in Kevin Durant, Beasley is putting up even better numbers in the same league. He’s already set the school record at Kansas State for points in a single season, and broke the league record for double-doubles in a season. He was selected Big 12 Player of the Year by league coaches, marking the first time two freshmen have won the award in back-to-back seasons.

F - Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, Junior — (23 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.5 SPG)
Though Beasley may be the better player and the best collegiate prospect, Hansbrough has had the bigger impact and his team is the best in the nation as a result. Every possession is played as if it were his last. Hansbrough is the ultimate teammate that will do anything to win, and his will exceeds his considerable skill. He’s been a first team all-american each of the past three years, and has developed into the most imposing player in the country. He was selected as ACC Player of the year by league coaches.

C - Kevin Love, UCLA, Freshman — (17.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, .359 3-PT%)
Despite being scrutinized by him home state for choosing UCLA over Oregon, Love has stayed strong and has been mentally tough. His play for one of the top teams in the nation has been very impressive as well. Love’s dedication to his game, to the school and to the sport have made him one of the most fundamentally sound centers in college in some time. For his efforts this season he became only the fourth freshman in Pac-10 history to win league Player of the Year honors.

G - Shan Foster, Vanderbilt, Senior — (20.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, .473 3-PT%)
For the second straight season, Vandy had one of the most prolific perimeter threats and an SEC Player of the Year. Last season it was Derrick Byars for the Commodores; this season Foster was the big man on campus in Nashville. He loved the nets at home, and if he can translate that onto a neutral court, he should do just fine in the NCAAs.

G - D.J. Augustin, Texas, Sophomore — (19.8 PPG, 5.7 APG, .381 3-PT%)
Rumor has it that Texas coach Rick Barnes was adamant when he said in the preseason that he had the best guard in the country. It was hard to doubt Barnes, especially because during the 2006-07 preseason, he said he had the best player in Kevin Durant. Barnes has proven to be quite prophetic. Augustin kept the Longhorns in play for a No. 1 seed throughout the season. Augustin may not be the talent that Durant was, but has been just as valuable.

Second Team

F - Luke Harangody, Notre Dame, Sophomore — (20.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.7 APG)
Few players have developed as fast and become as dominant in the Big East in one season as Harangody. He can post, score from the midrange and defend. He helped the Irish to a successful season in the Big East, with bigger things likely to come. For of his contributions, Harangody was selected by league coaches as the Big East Player of the Year.

F - D. J. White, Indiana, Senior — (17.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.7 BPG)
Despite the impressive numbers, they don’t even begin to tell the whole story of what Whit was able to accomplish this season for Indiana, who was ranked in the top ten at one point. The four-year starter at forward was selected as the Big Ten Player of the Year by league coaches.

C - Brook Lopez, Stanford, Sophomore — (19.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.2 BPG)
Lopez missed the first nine games of the season due to a team suspension, but more than made up for it while helping the Cardinal to a top ten ranking upon his return. Was a First Team All-Pac Ten selection this season.

G - Stephen Curry, Davidson, Sophomore — (25.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.9 SPG)
For those of us who had the privilege of watching Curry last season as a freshman, it was evident that he was going to be something special. Davidson has a star in the making, who can stuff a stat sheet and make the game look easy. He’s one of the best players not playing in a BCS conference, but has the ability to compete with the best in the country.

G - Chris Douglas-Roberts, Junior — (17.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, .449 3-PT %)
Despite the hype in Memphis surrounding freshman guard Derrick Rose, it was CDR who had the biggest impact for the one-loss Tigers this season. The junior guard was a leader and the most consistent performer for John Calipari’s squad, and was named Conference YSA Player of the Year as a result.

Mike’s First Team Pick’s:
F - Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, Junior
F - Luke Harangody, Notre Dame, Sophomore
F - Michael Beasley, Kansas State, Freshman
C - Kevin Love, UCLA, Freshman
G - D.J. Augustin, Texas, Sophomore