Illinois men's basketball beat writer SCOTT RICHEY also had a vote in The Associated Press' preseason All-American selection along with Monday's preseason Top 25. His All-American ballot was mostly similar to Tuesday's official release:
Richey's ballot
Carsen Edwards, Jr., G Purdue
R.J. Barrett, Fr., G, Duke
Tyus Battle, Jr., G, Syracuse
Dedric Lawson, R-Jr., F, Kansas
Luke Maye, Sr., F, North Carolina
The no-brainers this year were clear. Edwards could be one of the most dominant scoring guards in the country this season, even as a freshman Barrett is a National Player of the Year contender and Maye has transformed from walk-on to double-double machine.