sorry, can’t link the page, espn insider, but nonetheless, here’s what he had to say about a couple of “awards”
Pre-Conference All-Tough Team
This team is for the toughest players, mentally and physically, in the nation thus far. This may be a harder team to make than the All-America team, and command more respect among coaches.
Aaron Miles, Kansas - Pressures the ball, never gets screened and always wins. The Joe Montana of college basketball.
Carl Krauser, Pittsburgh - He would throw his grandmomma to the floor to get a loose ball, but he’d pick her back up … after he scored.
Travis Diener, Marquette - Nobody works harder than Diener, and nobody gives more of himself. A great teammate, and he will find a place in the NBA. He’s a winner.
P.J. Tucker, Texas - I don’t care where you play him, or how big he is, I want this guy on my team. Period.
Curtis Withers, Charlotte - A terrific offensive rebounder, Withers plays hard, and doesn’t need the ball to play.
Chuck Hayes, Kentucky -I watched him play in Indianapolis this summer, and while people talked about his shortcomings, his team won every game. This kid is a winner.
Taylor Coppenrath, Vermont - Good hands, good feet, good demeanor. Coppenrath will play in the NBA.
Pre-Conference All-Defensive Team
Aaron Miles, Kansas - Keys the Kansas defense with his ball pressure, and reassumes pressure well.
Chris Paul, Wake Forest - Great hands and feet, and great anticipation skills.
Francsco Garcia, Louisville - Long and athletic, he can get steals, deflections and blocked shots.
Eddie Basden, Charlotte - Really strong and athletic, he can keep it from you, or bully you and take it away.
Shelden Williams, Duke - People make mistakes, so pencils have erasers. Duke has Williams.
Pre-Conference All-Deep Shooters Team
J.J. Redick, Duke - Deep range, sets his feet quickly, squares up, and surprises you when he misses.
Brendan Plavich, Charlotte - His buzzer-beater against Indiana was not lucky. The farther the better for Plavich.
Rashad McCants, North Carolina - Shoots effortlessly from anywhere. Best offensive player in America.
Salim Stoudamire, Arizona - Lefty streak-shooter who pulls up in transition. When he’s hot, he’ll bury you.
Keydren Clark, St. Peter’s - Small guard, big scorer. He’s as consistent a scorer as there is in college basketball.
T.J. Thompson, George Washington - Very opportunistic and takes good shots
Steve Novak, Marquette - Long and really accurate. Used well in pick-and-pop situations.
Jeff Horner, Iowa - Prototype Midwestern guard&tough, smart and can shoot the heck out of it. Love this kid
Gerry McNamara, Syracuse - The best at nailing the big shot when it is needed most.
Earnest Shelton, Alabama - Underrated. A deadeye from deep.