Yesterday, we released our preseason All-Pac-12 teams. Today, we take a look at some niche teams based on a certain characteristic that makes a player stand out. You won’t see these categories on the official Pac-12 season awards release at the end of the season, but they’re fun to think about nonetheless.
All-Rim Rattlers
- Shabazz Muhammad (Fr., Guard/Forward, UCLA) – 15 votes
- Nick Johnson (So., Guard, Arizona) – 11
- Carlos Emory (Sr., Forward, Oregon) – 11
- André Roberson (Jr., Forward, Colorado) – 11
- Eric Moreland (So., Forward, Oregon State) – 8
Reasoning for a squad like this is done best by highlights, so here are your explanations for Muhammad, Johnson, Emory, Moreland and Roberson. Click on the individual name to see some thrilling dunks for each candidate.
All-Shooter Team
- Chasson Randle (So., Guard, Stanford) – 17
- Allen Crabbe (Jr., Guard, Cal) – 14
- C.J. Wilcox (Jr., Guard, Washington) – 10
- Spencer Dinwiddie (So., Guard, Colorado) – 6
- Aaron Bright (Jr., Guard, Stanford) – 4
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Stanford, the leader in the Pac-12 in three-point field goal percentage as a team, would have two representatives on the all-shooter team. Chasson Randle, who highlights this group, drained seven threes in the first half of a Pac-12 Tournament game against Arizona State last year and is the leading returnee in three-point field goal accuracy in the Pac-12. Expect C.J. Wilcox to have a big year in 2012-13, as he is a guy who has the potential to be close to a 50 percent three-point shooter with such a deadly stroke.
All-Distributor Team
- Abdul Gaddy (Sr., Guard, Washington) – 19
- Joe Burton (Sr., Forward/Center, Oregon State) – 11
- Justin Cobbs (RS Jr., Guard, Cal) – 8
- Aaron Bright (Jr., Guard, Stanford) – 6
- Jahii Carson (RS Fr., Guard, Arizona State)/Chris Colvin (Sr., Guard, Arizona State) – 4 apiece
Gaddy heads this team not only because he finished second in the conference last year in assists, but also because he finished second in the Pac-12 in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Husky guard does a great job of finding teammates without making bad decisions. Burton is the only forward on the all-distributor team, but sometimes plays the point-forward role for Craig Robinson and has shown a knack for making nifty feeds to cutting teammates. A couple of Sun Devils tied for the final spot, giving ourselves an AP preseason All-America team situation with six members on the Pac-12 All-Distributor Team (not sure which one is more prestigious).
All-Glue Guy Squad
- Solomon Hill (Sr., Forward, Arizona) – 18
- E.J. Singler (Sr., Forward, Oregon) – 13
- Aaron Fuller (RS Sr., Forward, USC) – 6
- Abdul Gaddy (Sr., Guard, Washington) – 6
- Devon Collier (Jr., Forward, Oregon State) – 4
It’s no surprise that an all-glue squad would be wholly upperclassmen and dominated by seniors. Hill received the most love from the Pac-12 microsite pollsters for his ability to chip in at various spots on the floor. Now, after hearing Hill speak on his leadership role at Pac-12 Media Day, his selection only becomes more solid. What makes each of these guys all-glue selections is their tendencies to not only make big plays, but to also do all the little things that go unnoticed, like hustling for loose balls, making the correct pass instead of the flashy pass, and playing multiple positions on the court.
All-Breakout Team
- Nick Johnson (So., Guard, Arizona) – 10
- Roberto Nelson (Jr., Guard, Oregon State) – 9
- Dewayne Dedmon (RS Jr., Forward, USC) – 7
- Aziz N’Diaye (Sr., Center, Washington) – 5
- Dwight Powell (Jr., Forward, Stanford) – 5
These are the guys who haven’t quite put it together as much as expected but have shown signs that they can make a big push in the upcoming season. Perhaps the most intriguing All-Breakout member is Dewayne Dedmon, a guy who is still very raw because he didn’t play organized basketball until his senior year due to religious reasons. In his first year at the D-I level, the Trojan seven-footer was able to average 7.6 points and 5.5 rebounds despite battling through injuries throughout the year before he was finally shut down after 20 games because of a torn left MCL and a tibial bone bruise. Another interesting note on the All-Breakout Team is that it is comprised of each of the five guys we picked individually as our breakout player in the October 19 burning question.