Ahead of the college basketball season, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas has released his 2027 preseason All-America picks. He notes that preseason honors are part prognostication, part primer and part sales vehicle, and says they are simply a fun way to build excitement for the games ahead.
Bilas argues that this could be an extraordinary season. He points to the level of play and overall talent in the game, which he says have never been better. He also contends that the college game has never been healthier or more popular among fans, even as those in charge testify on Capitol Hill about the chaos surrounding it. Players are staying in school longer, and the talent level remains remarkable.
His first team features Jeremy Fears Jr. of Michigan State, who recorded 328 assists last year, the sixth-best mark in college basketball history. Tyler Tanner of Vanderbilt was the only player in the nation to average 19 points, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Tyran Stokes of Kansas, Thomas Haugh of Florida and Flory Bidunga of Louisville round out the first team. Bidunga led the Big 12 in blocks with 91 and blocks per game at 2.6.
Bilas also named second and third teams, along with honorable mentions, preseason All-Defensive picks, All-Freshman selections, All-Transfer picks and All-Coach Newcomer selections. Among the second team are JT Toppin of Texas Tech and Braylon Mullins of UConn, who headline a deep group of players Bilas expects to shine this season.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing