Jeremy Fears Jr. and Thomas Haugh have been named to the Associated Press preseason All‑America team, underscoring the high expectations for Michigan State and the University of Florida as they chase another national title.
Fears anchors Michigan State’s title hopes
Fears received 57 of the 58 votes from the AP media panel, reflecting his reputation as one of the nation’s premier point guards. The 6‑foot‑2 guard from Joliet, Illinois, averaged 15.2 points and a nation‑leading 9.4 assists per game last season, guiding the Spartans to the Sweet 16. After briefly entering the NBA draft, he withdrew to lead Michigan State, which now sits at No. 6 in the preseason Top 25 poll. “I think we have the pieces,” Fears said. “We’ve kind of got a lot of everything and my job is to get them the ball.”
Haugh returns to chase a second championship for Florida
Thomas Haugh, the 6‑foot‑9 forward from New Oxford, Pennsylvania, earned 56 votes, placing him just behind Fears on the AP ballot. Haugh was the Gators’ leading scorer last season with 17.1 points per game and helped Florida capture the 2025 national title. He postponed a potential NBA lottery selection to stay with his teammates, including close friend Alex Condon. Florida entered the season as the No. 1 team in the AP preseason poll, with Haugh, Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and Denzel Aberdeen forming a veteran core. “It’s national championship or bust for this team,” Haugh declared. “We’re mature enough and have a really old group now, so I think we’re going to be really comfortable coming in this season.”
Other preseason All‑America selections
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner garnered 43 votes after posting a rare statistical line of 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Tennessee native Tanner also tested NBA interest before returning to help Vanderbilt earn its first preseason ranking since 2015.
Illinois forward David Mirkovic received 24 votes. The 6‑foot‑9 forward from Niksic, Montenegro, posted 13.3 points, eight rebounds and 2.6 assists in his freshman year, helping the Illini reach the Final Four. Coach Brad Underwood praised his charisma and competitive fire.
Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas earned 17 votes. The 7‑foot‑2 Lithuanian averaged 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 73 blocked shots last season, anchoring Arizona’s defense. Coach Tommy Lloyd highlighted Krivas’s growing confidence and double‑double potential.
Implications for the 2026‑27 season
The inclusion of Fears and Haugh on the AP preseason All‑America team signals that both programs expect to contend for the national championship. Michigan State’s No. 6 ranking reflects a strong roster built around Fears’s playmaking, while Florida’s top‑spot underscores the experience of its returning core. The other honorees—Tanner, Mirkovic and Krivas—add depth to the national conversation, suggesting a competitive field that will test every major program.
Fans across the country will be watching to see whether the Spartans can break a 27‑year championship drought and whether the Gators can repeat their recent success. With the preseason awards now announced, the stage is set for an exciting college basketball season.
Original reporting: Capitol City Now (WTAX 1240 Springfield) — read the source article.
