2013-14 College Basketball Picks and Predictions: First-Team All-Americans

2013-14 College Basketball Picks and Predictions: First-Team All-Americans: Being named a preseason All-American is an honor for any college basketball player, but backing the early accolades up during the actual season can be difficult. Keep in mind that of the six players named First-Team All-Americans prior to the start of last season, only Doug McDermott and Trey Burke were also First-Team All-Americans at the end of the year. Needless to say, nothing is set in stone, but here is a look at the players that have the talent worthy of being preseason First-Team All-Americans for the 2013-13 season.

Center: Mitch McGary, Michigan Wolverines

He might start slowly as he recovers from a back injury, but McGary was an absolute beast in the post for the Wolverines as a freshman last year once he was turned loose. In fact, he averaged a double-double during Michigan’s run to the title game. While his hustle and energy are undeniable, McGary is also an excellent athlete for his size, and he has effective, albeit unorthodox, mid-range jumper. Once he is healthy, he should be a double-double machine.

Power Forward: Doug McDermott, Creighton Blue Jays

It is going to be tough to find a more versatile, efficient scorer than McDermott. Last season, he averaged 23.2 points on 54.8 percent shooting and averaged 2.1 3-pointers per game at 49.0 percent clip. He also shot 87.5 percent from the foul line and added 7.7 rebounds per game.  McDermott can score from anywhere on the court, and he could very well lead the country in scoring this year. The fact that he pours in his points at such an efficient clip makes him all the more impressive.

Small Forward: C.J. Fair, Syracuse Orange

Fair has the size to play power forward, but his polished offensive skill set and ability to take defenders off the dribble allow him to play the small forward position. Last year, he averaged 14.5 points on 47.0 percent shooting to go along with 7.0 rebounds per game. He also averaged 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, showing why he is regarded as one of the best two-way players in the country. With the Orange losing a lot of their scoring from last year’s team, Fair will have the ball in his hands even more often, and he will likely be stuffing the stat sheet all season.

Shooting Guard: Russ Smith, Louisville Cardinals

Plain and simple, Smith knows how to put the ball in the basket, and he led the defending national champion Cardinals in scoring last year at 18.7 points per game. By the way, he also nabbed the Final Four Most Outstanding Player Award. Smith can light it up from long range and get to the rim, and last season, he made 1.6 3-pointers game and averaged 6.9 free throw attempts. He is also a thief on the defensive end, and Smith has averaged more than two steals per game in each of the past two seasons. Don’t be surprised to see him average 20-plus points in 2013-14.

Point Guard: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State Cowboys

He shocked many experts by returning to Oklahoma State for his sophomore season, and Smart should pick up right where he left off as a freshman and continue stuffing the stat sheet for the Cowboys. Last year, he led the team in scoring at 15.4 points per game while chipping in 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.0 steals per contest. He also averaged 6.5 free throw attempts per game. Smart is able to use his strength to get into the lane with regularity, and from there, he can either score or distribute at a high level. He is the total package at the point guard spot, and he makes the Cowboys a contender.

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