College Basketball Predictions: Preseason All-American Teams for 2012-2013

What a season! Now that we've crowned the Kentucky Wildcats as this year's champion, now is the time to reflect on what the 2011-2012 season brought us, right?

Wrong. There's no time! Let's move forward into the offseason with an article projecting next season's All-Americans.

This year, Kansas forward Thomas Robinson was the only consensus All-American, while Kentucky's Anthony Davis, Michigan State's Draymond Green, Creighton's Doug McDermott and Ohio State's Jared Sullinger rounded out the AP All-American first team.

The projections in this article are subject to change, due to the possibility of some of my picks forgoing school for the NBA draft. However, until they declare, their eligibility for this article remains intact.

With that being said, let's first look at some players who missed the cut.

Players Who Missed the Cut

Here are some players who haven't yet declared, but are most likely to do so. If I'm wrong, then this article will be updated accordingly: 

• Bradley Beal, SG, Fr., Florida
• Trey Burke, PG, Fr., Michigan
• Anthony Davis, F/C, Fr., Kentucky
• Andre Drummond, F/C, Fr., UConn
• Tim Hardaway Jr., G, So., Michigan
• John Jenkins, SG, Jr., Vanderbilt 
• Perry Jones III, F, So., Baylor
• Terrence Jones, F, So., Kentucky
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, G/F, Fr., Kentucky
• Doron Lamb, SG, So., Kentucky
• Jeremy Lamb, SG, So., Connecticut
• Meyers Leonard, C, So., Illinois
• C.J. Leslie, F, So., North Carolina State
• Damian Lillard, PG, Jr., Weber State
• Quincy Miller, F, Fr., Baylor
• Tony Mitchell, F, So., North Texas
• Mason Plumlee, C, Jr., Duke
• Thomas Robinson, PF, Jr., Kansas
• Josh Smith, C, So., UCLA
• Jared Sullinger, PF, So., Ohio State
• Tony Wroten Jr., G, Fr., Washington

Third Team

G: Matthew Dellavedova (Sr., St. Mary's)

G: Myck Kabongo (So., Texas)

F: Le'Bryan Nash (So., Oklahoma State)

F: Patric Young (Jr., Florida)

C: Gorgui Dieng (Jr., Louisville)

Breakdown:

Let's jump right into with the All-American third team. Honestly, depending on how a few things play out, I feel like some players on my second and third teams could be interchangeable. 

St. Mary's point guard Matthew Dellavedova was an AP All-American Honorable Mention after posting career-best stats (15.5 points per game, 6.4 assists per game) and leading his Gaels to a conference championship over rival Gonzaga.

Dellavedova's work ethic and scrappy style of play make him an intriguing NBA prospect—a solid rotation guy, for sure. 

Myck Kabongo is the type of player that has the talent and potential to be a first-team All-American, but a disappointing freshman season has me slightly worried about Kabongo's progression. Thankfully, Kabongo decided to return for his sophomore season to work on his game. 

Florida forward Patric Young is another player that will benefit from an extra year in school. The sophomore forward averaged 10.3 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game this season. He will need to improve his overall game to garner All-American consideration. 

Gorgui Dieng made a name for himself in the NCAA tournament after he recorded seven blocks in an upset victory over Michigan State. Dieng is still raw offensively, but he is a monster on the boards (9.1 per game) and on defense (3.2 blocks per game). However, his 9.4 points per game gave him a near double-double on the season.

If he improves at all, Dieng will be contending for an All-American spot. 

Oklahoma State small forward Le'Bryan Nash has lottery potential written all over him. He has an NBA body and all the athleticism in the world. Nash's freshman season was cut short after injuring his left hand, but he will be primed and ready to have a sensational sophomore season. 

Second Team

G: Isaiah Canaan (Sr., Murray State)

G: Jamaal Franklin (Jr., San Diego State)

F: Shabazz Muhammad (Fr., Undecided)

F: Otto Porter (So., Georgetown)

F: Andre Roberson (Jr., Colorado)

Breakdown:

Murray State guard Isaiah Canaan may be the most recognizable name on this team after he led the Racers to a 30-1 record, a conference championship and a first-round victory in the NCAA tournament. After averaging 19.2 points per game and 3.7 assists per game, Canaan was awarded a spot on this season's All-American second team, as well. 

Canaan is a dynamic point guard and will likely be one of the first point guards taken in next year's NBA draft. 

If it weren't for Nerlens Noel, Shabazz Muhammad would be the most intriguing freshman next season. However, Muhammad may be a more complete prospect at this point. Muhammad is being projected as the next Michael Kidd-Gilchrist—a guy who works hard on both ends of the court on every play.

Muhammad is still undecided and Kentucky, UCLA, Duke, Kansas and USC are all in the mix. 

Jamaal Franklin was the most consistent player on an inconsistent San Diego State squad. After being upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Franklin will look to lead the Aztecs back to the Big Dance next season.

His 17.2 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game were a team best, and he's really becoming a complete player—an NBA-level talent. 

Forwards Otto Porter and Andre Roberson are my first "stretches," but I feel like both will play up to their potential and earn second-team honors next season. Porter will have to step up in a big way with center Henry Sims and forward Hollis Thompson leaving for the NBA draft, while Roberson will have to battle much tougher competition next season as he tries to lead his team to another Pac-12 title and NCAA tournament berth. 

First Team

G: Nate Wolters (Sr., South Dakota State)

G-F: Doug McDermott (Jr., Creighton)

F: James Michael McAdoo (So., North Carolina)

F: Cody Zeller (So., Indiana)

C: Nerlens Noel (Fr., Undecided)

Breakdown:

Much like 2012's All-American first team, 2013's will be forward-heavy. 

Creighton small forward Doug McDermott will be a favorite to repeat as a first-teamer. His 23.2 points per game and 8.2 rebounds were fantastic numbers, but he should continue to improve in his junior season as he tries to lead his team back to the NCAA tournament. 

Nate Wolters is the only senior who makes the cut on the first team. As a junior, Wolters led South Dakota State to the NCAA tournament while averaging 21.3 points, six assists and 5.2 rebounds per game. After not getting recognized to ANY All-American team this season, Wolters will be playing with a chip on his shoulder next season. 

Both Zeller and McAdoo are on the fence about declaring for the draft, but unlike the players that were mentioned earlier in the article, I believe both will stay an extra year. It's the smart decision, anyway—staying another year will boost their stock in a much weaker draft class.

McAdoo will be the leader of the Tar Heels next season, and Zeller will be one of the best big men in the country. 

Rounding out the first team is incoming freshman Nerlens Noel. Even though he is still undecided as to who he'll be playing for next season, the 6'10" center is going to make his presence felt wherever he goes. 

Noel will be the best defender and shot-blocker in the nation, and he already has a decent hook shot on the offensive side of the ball. Though he's still a bit raw in the post, Noel could be Anthony Davis 2.0 next season and will likely go No. 1 in next year's NBA draft.