- (C) Cody Zeller-Indiana
- (F) Doug McDermott- Creighton
- (F) DeShaun Thomas- Ohio State
- (G) Isaiah Canaan- Murray State
- (G) C.J. McCollum- Lehigh
- (G) Trey Burke-Michigan
Cody Zeller-Indiana
Big-man Cody Zeller from Indiana stormed into the conversation for Big man of the year last season. While Anthony Davis clearly deserved the award, Cody Zeller defeated the #1 Wildcats early in the season. Cody Zeller has helped Indiana return to the hay days as Indiana is also ranked Pre-season #1. I am not huge on the Hoosiers but they have a lot of potential returning a lot of their players from last season. With a big year, Zeller could also be the #1 pick in the draft and lead the Hoosiers to a National Championship.
Doug McDermott-Creighton
Doug McDermott, coached by his father Greg, led the Blue Jays to the NCAA tournament. After defeating Alabama, Creighton drew an unfortunate matchup with the Tar Heels. McDermott averaged 23 ppg and 8 Rebs. Besides McDermott, Creighton doesn't have much. I think at the end of the season McDermott will be a top player because of the lack of competition in the Missouri Valley Conference and the lack of depth behind him.
DeShaun Thomas-Ohio State
DeShaun Thomas was a surprising star last year and has been rewarded with a Pre-season All-American ranking. Now with Jared Sullinger gone Thomas will see even more time on the ball. Personally, I thought PG Aaron Craft was the best player on the Buckeyes roster but apparently the voters thought otherwise. In fact, I don't predict Thomas is an All-American come the end of the season unless Ohio State goes to the Final Four or deeper.
Isaiah Canaan-Murray State
PG Isaiah Canaan led Murray State to an unbelievable 31-2 season last year. At one point the Racers were in the Top 10 led by POY Candidate Canaan. Canaan is coming back this year and he is only going to be better. Now that he has created a winning environment around Murray State, the Racers can go farther than the Round of 32 this season. I believe Canaan will be an All-American by season's end as Murray State will make a deep run ending in the Elite 8.
C.J. McCollum-Lehigh
The reason McCollum made this list rather than Aaron Craft is because of Lehigh's defeat of Duke last year in the NCAA Tournament. McCollum will have another big year after averaging 22 ppg. McCollum can definitely lead Lehigh to a 2nd straight NCAA tournament birth. The chances they defeat another 2 seed though, I don't see happening. In addition, I don't believe McCollum will be an All-American.
Trey Burke-Michigan
PG Trey Burke, combined with running mate SG Tim Hardaway, are Pre-Season ranked #5 after a First Round Tournament loss last season. It was a toss-up between Burke and Craft for this final Pre-Season spot and bragging rights for top PG in the Big 10. The expectation for the Big 10 this season will be Indiana Michigan, and then Ohio State. Indiana should claim the top spot but it will be a fight between the two rivals for the #2 seed. In the tournament both Michigan and Ohio State have the ability to go far. At the end of the season, I predict both Craft and Burke will be All-Americans.
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