Buddy Boeheim Syracuse
Boeheim had a breakout season for Syracuse and by the NCAA tournament was one of the best scorers in the country. Furthermore, he has really good size to get shots over defenders and his movement on the perimeter off screens and consistently getting great position on the perimeter. Also, he has improved his ability to put the ball down for pull-up jumpers along with being able to get to the rim. Next, his footwork on the perimeter is impressive being able to use head fakes as well to create separation for his shot.
Additionally, his quick shot release is really good matched with his effectiveness at 38.3% from three. Continued, he is a great threat in transition with the shooting range Boeheim has and his ability to be a knockdown catch and shoot player. Now defensively, he is solid in the 2-3 zone with his positioning and size. Buddy Boeheim will be one of the best scorers in college basketball entering next season for Syracuse.
Sean McNeil West Virginia
McNeil had a great junior season at West Virginia becoming a prominent part of the rotation and starting lineup. First off, his ability to shoot the basketball is his best trait at 38.8% from three which changes the momentum of games. Furthermore, his movement off the basketball to consistently space the floor to be shot ready is really good. Next, he has the ability to use ball fakes and head fakes to create more separation on his shot and stays true to his form. Additionally, his footwork to continually be in a position to shoot the basketball is really good.
Also, he has the ability to make shots off the bounce as well especially from the mid-range with pull-up jumpers. McNeil has a ton of range on the floor which will occupy defenses in their rotations and can get West Virginia back on track offensively. As for the defensive end, he is really active on the help side and has the size to defend multiple positions. Sean McNeil will continue to have major success for West Virginia next season providing his shooting ability.
Kyle Lofton St. Bonaventure
Lofton had a very good Junior season leading St. Bonaventure to an A-10 regular season and tournament title towards the NCAA Tournament. Further, Lofton is the tone-setter for this St. Bonaventure on both ends starting with his ability to score and distribute at a high level. Next, he brings the shiftiness with the basketball for dribble penetration to the basket with the ability to finish well. Continued, area Lofton needs to improve his ability to make perimeter jumpers consistently as he shot 24.0% from three. Additionally, he has the ability to attack off the dribble well getting the basket in transition and getting midrange pull-up jumpers.
Also, he is very good in ball screen opportunities as a scoring threat and being able to distribute to others very well. Now defensively, he gets after on the defensive end with his consistent on-ball pressure. Lofton is really active off the basketball as well and disrupts the opposing guard’s ability to score and shoot the basketball effectively. Kyle Lofton is a lead guard who will be leading St. Bonaventure in their attempt to return back to the NCAA tournament.
Osun Osunniyi St. Bonaventure
Osunniyi had a really productive Junior season for St. Bonaventure being a major factor in their run to the NCAA Tournament. Furthermore, he has really good athleticism from his position and brings mobility on the offensive end with slipping screens effectively. Next, he is a constant factor on the offensive boards providing second chance opportunities with his effort. Continued, he has really good hands with the ability to finish around the basket on either side very well. Also, he gets really good post positioning being available to get easy post entries to finish at the rim.
The ability for him to dive off-ball screens with Kyle Lofton is a dangerous combination for defenders to slow down. His activity on the offensive end makes him a problem for opposing bigs to keep up matched with his athleticism. As for the defensive end, he has the athleticism and size to be a major factor around the basket. He has the mobility to be solid in ball screen defense and get out on the perimeter when necessary. Osun Osunniyi will be a problem for A-10 defenses to slow down is one of the most underrated bigs in the country.
Keve Aluma Virginia Tech
Aluma had a terrific Junior season for Virginia Tech leading the way as their interior presence with his scoring and rebounding ability. Furthermore, Aluma is really good at giving second effort opportunities on the offensive glass. Next, an area he could improve is his strength around the basket to finish through contact more consistently. Additionally, he is really active around the basket opening up on cuts and short-area jumpers are a strength of his. Continued, he has good touch around the basket going to his right hand with jump hooks.
The mobility of Aluma is really useful in ball screens, cuts and face-up opportunities with the skill to score the basketball. Aluma is a major factor in Virginia Tech with setting the tone with his ability to remain active and score effectively in multiple ways. As for the defensive end, he brings good effort, however, he needs to improve his positioning to guard out on the perimeter. As well as, improving his strength around the basket to defend the lane more effectively. Keve Aluma will be one of the best players in the ACC next season for Virginia Tech.
Justyn Mutts Virginia Tech
Mutts had a solid Junior season for Virginia Tech and showcased the athleticism he can bring on both ends. Now, he has the ability to really drive the basketball with his ability to finish and the athleticism. Also, he can draw contact with the aggressive drives, however, he needs to improve his free throw shooting at 50.9%. Next, he can use his size well against wings that don’t have the same physicality to contain him on drives and post-ups.
Furthermore, he is good at attacking in isolated situations from the high and mid-post to get to the basket. Continued, Mutts is solid from the three-point line with shooting 33.3%, however, he could improve his overall ability as a consistent shooter. As for defensively, he has the size and physicality to be effective on the perimeter. Also, he has the versatility to guard multiple positions and the activity he plays well is good. Justyn Mutts has the athleticism to continue to be a factor for Virginia Tech on both ends.
Andrew Jones Texas
Jones had a terrific Junior season starting to reach his potential as a scorer and the contribution on the boards. Next, Jones has the ability to be a dependable three-point catch and shoot player from three in the half-court along with transition at 33.8%. Further, Jones needs to improve his ability as a playmaker by having a better assist to turnover ratio. Continued, he is capable of attacking off the dribble and must look to do so more often.
Additionally, the improved finishing at the basket would help Jones further elevate his game. Jones is really dependable on the offense end with his shot-making ability. As for the defensive end, he is a very solid defender with his on-ball pressure defense. Also, matched with his effort and positioning make him an impact perimeter defender. Andrew Jones will be a massive part of Texas’ success next season on the perimeter.
Courtney Ramey Texas
Ramey is a part of a Texas perimeter that will be fully loaded returning Andrew Jones and the addition of Devin Askew. Now, Ramey is a very good shooter from the perimeter at 41.3% from three whether off the catch or dribble. Next, he moves well off the basketball being consistently shot ready and spacing the floor on the perimeter. Additionally, he has the ability to attack the basket off the dribble utilizing ball screens or attacking isolated drives. Furthermore, the aggressive nature of Ramey is good with the pace he plays with taking shots in transition.
The consistency Ramey brings offensively is valuable and will be crucial for Texas’ offensive success next season. As for defensively, he has the ability to be a lockdown defender on the perimeter with his activity and use of length. Also, his ability to stay engaged and be in a position off the ball is good as well. Courtney Ramey is a very good all-around player and will be one of the best guards in the Big 12.
R.J. Cole UConn
Cole was a stabilizer for UConn at the point guard position and will look to build on his first season at UConn. First off, Cole brings really good efficiency for UConn with his three-point shooting at 38.6% and as a distributor of the offense. Furthermore, he brings really good pace with the basketball using ball screens really effectively. Next, he does a good job playing off the basketball getting in a position for shots from the perimeter. Also, the overall energy he plays with is really good setting the tone for the UConn offense.
His ability to continue to evolve as a scorer and finisher will make him one of the best guards in the Big East. Now defensively, he brings good effort on the basketball, however, he needs to improve his ability to contain drives from bigger guards. R.J. Cole will have a significant impact on the success of UConn next season looking to return to the NCAA tournament.
Kihei Clark Virginia
Clark is the table-setter for Virginia on both ends of the floor and will look to have a huge senior season. First off, the pace is set by Clark on both ends of the floor with the way he initiates and defends. Next, he has steadily improved his shooting ability with his three-point being effective off the dribble and catch at 32.3%. Further, he does a very good job of getting into the lane with his attacking finishing at the rim. As well as, being able to be a great distributor allows him to make decisions with dribble penetration. Continued, he uses ball screens really well within his decision making, and around the basket, his scoop shot is very effective avoiding shot blockers.
Also, his footwork and movement of the basketball are really good allowing him to catch and attack quickly. As for defensively, he brings great on-ball pressure with consistently being in a stance and the effort is always there. Continued, he is always in great positioning of the basketball to react within the Packline defense. Kihei Clark will have a great Senior season for Virginia is one of the best point guards in the country.
Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua Baylor RS Sophomore
Tchamwa Tchatchoua made a significant impact on the success of Baylor with his ability to come off the bench and play with great energy. Next, he is really efficient around the basket with his ability to finish at the basket with athleticism and touch. Furthermore, he is dynamic in ball screen action with the ability to hit the rim on direct dives or lobs at the rim. Continued, the ability to play above the rim makes it very difficult for defenses to rotate without a misstep otherwise he will finish. Also, the rebounding ability is really good with the athleticism and effort on the glass on both ends.
The offensive improvement would come with potentially being better with the basketball in the post or mid-post. As for defensively, his length and athleticism on this end are impressive. Furthermore, the consistent effort to guard out on the perimeter and in the post is really impressive. Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua will have an increased role for Baylor looking to have the same sort of impact on their success.
Braden Norris RS Sophomore Loyola Chicago
Norris was a very productive player for Loyola Chicago on the offensive end, especially with his overall efficiency. Furthermore, he is really good off the basketball being set as a shooter for catch and shoot opportunities as he was 41.0% from three. Next, he is undersized, however, he uses ball screens well to get to the basket for finishing opportunities. Additionally, he is solid as a distributor making others around him better and putting them in a position to succeed.
Continued, he does a good job in transition pushing the basketball as a distributor or with the ability to pull up for perimeter jumpers. The consistency of Norris is very key to the overall success of Loyola Chicago. Now defensively, he brings good activity on and off the basketball. He could improve his ability to contain the basketball more effectively. Braden Norris will be an important part of the success of Loyola Chicago next season.
Joey Hauser Michigan State
Hauser had a decent season, however, he had more expectations coming to Michigan State and will look to rebound this season. First off, he brings the skill set to play in the post and out on the perimeter. Next, in the post, he does a very effective job of facing up with the ability to make shots and potentially drive the basketball. Furthermore, he does a solid job of being a catch and shoot threat from three at 34.0%, however, he is capable of shooting at a higher rate.
Additionally, the touch around the basket for Hauser is good, but he needs to continue to build his strength in the post to finish even more effectively. Continued, his touch to go with jump hooks in the post is good with his footwork. As for the defensive end, he needs to improve his post-defense with positioning and his strength. As well as, his mobility on the perimeter to contain the basketball. Joey Hauser will look to have a greater impact on Michigan State’s success.
Gabe Brown Michigan State
Brown showed growth in his game especially from the offensive end as a shooter. Furthermore, Brown shot the basketball from three well at 42.0% as a threat especially off the catch in transition. Next, the ability to run the floor in transition is a great aspect of his game. Whether that is to finish at the rim or to be a spot-up shooter. Continued, he has the length and athleticism to continue to develop his finishing around the basket to be consistent. Also, his development of driving more with control will be vital.
Additionally, his first-step quickness gives him the ability to get to the basket consistently in the half-court. As for defensively, his size and length on the perimeter are disruptive which goes with his activity. Brown brings the consistent effort on and off the basketball being a key part of their team defense. Gabe Brown will look to continue to evaluate his game on the offensive end for Michigan State.
Race Thompson Indiana
Thompson is a great glue guy for Indiana and is going to a major part of their success this season. First off, the effort on the boards on both ends is tremendous being a major contributor towards extra possessions. Next, Thompson runs the floor hard in transition being capable of making plays at the rim. Continued, he could continue to improve his skill around the basket. Working on drop steps and jump hooks to be more effective. Additionally, he is really good off the ball to open up on cuts around the basket operating in the dunker position.
Furthermore, he could improve his post positioning to get cleaner post entires allowing him to operate easily. As for defensively, he brings good interior toughness and activity on the glass. Also, he brings good mobility being able to contain the basketball well get out on the perimeter. Race Thompson will be a major part of Indiana’s success next year with his consistent effort and toughness.
Images Courtesy of, 247 Sports, The New York Times, St. Bonaventure University
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