Preseason All-Solid Gold teams

— -- I can't wait for the season to get underway, baby!

There should be excitement galore in college basketball. There are rules changes to make the game better. There are compelling storylines, plenty of coaching changes and a ton of talent dotting the rosters.

It is time to unveil my preseason All-Solid Gold teams. These players are the best of the best at the start of the season. The goal is to make it on my season's-end All-Solid Gold team!

I am sure these squads will trigger some debate. One thing to note: There are no freshmen on these squads. I believe a player like Ben Simmons of LSU has a good shot to make it on my postseason club, but I will not put diaper dandies on here until they play a game at the collegiate level. Until then, it is potential, potential, potential.

First team

Melo Trimble, Maryland Terrapins
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Sooners
Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia Cavaliers
Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga Bulldogs
Georges Niang, Iowa State Cyclones

Second team

Damian Jones, Vanderbilt Commodores
Marcus Paige, North Carolina Tar Heels
Kris Dunn, Providence Friars
Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin Badgers
Perry Ellis, Kansas Jayhawks

Third team

Jakob Poeltl, Utah Utes
Tyler Ulis, Kentucky Wildcats
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Georgetown Hoyas
Rico Gathers, Baylor Bears
A.J. Hammons, Purdue Boilermakers

Fourth team

Gary Payton II, Oregon State Beavers
Fred VanVleet, Wichita State Shockers
Jake Layman, Maryland
DeAndre Bembry, Saint Joseph's Hawks
Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga

Fifth team

Yogi Ferrell, Indiana Hoosiers
Denzel Valentine, Michigan State Spartans
Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa Hawkeyes
Brice Johnson, North Carolina