McDonald's All-American Game Preview/Open Thread

Time: 7 pm CT

TV: ESPN

Official website (including rosters)

Even as Texas football recruiting hits a lull after the heady and commitment-filled days of February, basketball recruiting ramps up in the spring with All-Star games, the ESPN Rise National Championship, and the summer evaluation period. Currently, the Longhorns only have one commitment in the 2010 class, McDonald's All-American Tristan Thompson.

The other major target on the board is teammate and fellow Canadian Corey Joseph, winner of the 3-point shooting contest leading up to the event. Though Joseph says that there is no timetable for his decision ($), there is a possibility that he announces his decision this evening and the rumors swirling from the Texas side all have the Longhorns in an excellent position and probably battling for Villanova for the services of the talented guard.

At some point the game will deteriorate into a chuck-fest with little or no defense that will deeply offend purists and traditionalists, but it's still instructive to notice which players take the game seriously and give it their full effort -- last season, Avery Bradley impressed on the All-Star circuit with his intensity and willingness to play defense. This year, it's worth noting Thompson's jumpshot and ability to create with his back to the basket, as well as his ability to run the court. For Joseph, there aren't any questions about his jumpshot, so the game will be an opportunity for him to show his pure point guard skills.

Other players to watch --

• Baylor commit Perry Jones, former high school teammate of Shawn Williams at Duncanville, is a highly skilled big who sometimes doesn't assert himself. Will he be aggressive tonight?
  
• Fab Melo and Josh Smith -- The top two centers in the class, both were one-time Texas targets.
• Harrison Barnes -- The North Carolina commit is an uber-talented wing and the top player by ESPNU.