Who To Watch This College Basketball Season
Grayson Allen (DUKE)
Year: Junior (Guard)
Previous: Allen is an all-around guard for the Blue Devils who averaged 21.6 ppg, 3.5 asp, and 4.6 rpg last season. He held a strong performance throughout the March Madness tournament and was named a Wooden Award All-American. Allen has shown a strong start this season, scoring 16 points against Marist and 25 (pts) and 10 (ast) versus Grand Canyon.
Lonzo Ball (UCLA)
Year: Freshman (Guard)
Previous: An athletic guard from Chino Hills High School displayed a promising performance, posting 19 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in his debut with the Bruins. Ball was a McDonald's All-American and ranked 4th in ESPN 100.
Joel Berry II (UNC)
Year: Junior (Guard)
Previous: Berry II is a composed and athletic guard for the Tar Heels. He collected 12.8 ppg last season along with a handful of assists and rebounds. Berry II opened his Junior season with 23 points in a win against Tulane. A 6-0 guard who stands strong at 195 lbs, Berry II has the potential to be an impactful leader this season.
James Blackmon Jr. (IND)
Year: Junior (Guard)
Previous: A 6-4 athletic guard that has contributed no less than 15 ppg for the Hoosiers. Blackmon Jr. continued his success, posting 26 points and six rebounds in an overtime win against the number three ranked Kansas Jayhawks.
Trevon Bluiett (XAV)
Year: Junior (Guard)
Previous: Bluiett totaled 15.1 ppg, 2.2 apg, and 6.1 rpg as a Sophomore guard for the Musketeers last season. He opened his Junior season with a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds. Bluiett is a big guard that can fill up the stat sheet.
Miles Bridge (MSU)
Year: Freshman (Guard/Forward)
Previous: Bridge displayed a variety of skills in his college debut against Arizona, earning 21 points and seven rebounds. Bridge received offers from Michigan State, Indiana, and Kentucky before committing to the Spartans. Keep an eye on this young guard/forward who stands tall at 6-7 and 230 lbs.
Isaiah Briscoe (UK)
Year: Sophomore (Guard)
Previous: Briscoe is a smooth guard that had a lot of attention coming out of high school. Although his Freshman year was hot and cold, he contributed 9.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg. The Sophomore guard has a strong build at 6-3, 210 lbs and showed a promising start to the season, putting in 17 points in a win against Stephen F. Austin.
Jalen Brunson (NOVA)
Year: Sophomore (Guard)
Previous: Another guard similar to Briscoe of Kentucky, has a strong and athletic build with a lot of potential. Brunson showed promise for the Wildcats, adding 9.6 ppg throughout last season. He showed improvement in his ability to score in the season opener against Lafayette, shooting 6-9 for a total of 17 points.
Tyler Dorsey (ORE)
Year: Sophomore (Guard)
Previous: Dorsey had a successful freshman season with the Ducks, adding 13.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg. The 6-4 guard opened his season with a 21 point performance in a win against Army West Point.
Justin Jackson (UNC)
Year: Junior (Forward)
Previous: Jackson has been a key role player for the Tar Heels throughout his college career thus far. He averaged 12.2 ppg and just under 4 rpg last season. Jackson started off the season strong, tallying 27 points in a win against Tulane.
Jock Landale (SMC)
Year: Junior (C)
Previous: Landale only contributed 7.9 ppg and 3.9 rpg last year for the Gaels. However, he looks to have a take-off year as a Junior and has done so thus far. Landale showed an improvement in his ability to score on the block, connecting on 15 of 20 shots. He totaled 33 points and nine rebounds in his first career start and win against Nevada.
Tyler Lydon (SYR)
Year: Sophomore (Forward)
Previous: Lydon has proven to be a critical asset for the Orange. He averaged 10 (pts) and six (reb) last season and showed lots of potential in Syracuse's run to the Final Four. A lengthy forward who can also connect from beyond the arc.
Frank Mason III (KU)
Year: Senior (Guard)
Previous: This season is all he has left, therefore look out for the 5-11 guard who can play at both ends of the floor. Mason III opened up the season with an outstanding effort, scoring 30 points along with nine assists and seven rebounds. As a senior, it is to be expected that he will be the general on the floor for the Jayhawks.
Malik Monk (UK)
Year: Freshman
Previous: A high school standout that everyone has been waiting to see play at the college level. The athletic two-way guard is an exciting player to watch and has lived up his to his expectations thus far. He has posted 10 and 16 points in two games of play as a starter for the Wildcats.
Monte Morris (ISU)
Year: Senior (Guard)
Previous: Morris averaged 13.8 ppg and 6.9 apg for Iowa State University last season as a Junior for the cyclones. He posted a double-double, scoring 21 points and tallying 11 assists in a season opener win against Savannah State.
Alec Peters (VALP)
Year: Senior (Forward)
Previous: Peters hasn't contributed any less than 12 ppg in all of his seasons with the Crusaders. Throughout his Junior season, Peters nearly averaged a double-double, collecting 18.4 ppg and 8.5 rpg. Peters started the season strong, earning 23 (pts) and eight (rebs) against Southern Utah, and a double-double against Trinity with 36 (pts) and 15 (rebs).
Rodney Purvis (CONN)
Year: Senior (Guard)
Previous: Purvis has been an impactful role player for the Huskies. He averaged double figures his last two seasons and is assumed to continue his success. Purvis had a rusty start to this season in a loss against Wagner, but will seek to regain himself in their next game against Northeastern.
Kobi Simmons (ARZ)
Year: Freshman (Guard)
Previous: An athletic guard from St. Francis High School, made a strong college debut, scoring 18 points off the bench for the Wildcats in a win against Michigan State. Simmons was a McDonald's All-American and received offers from UNLV, Ohio State, and University of Kentucky before committing to the Arizona Wildcats.
E.C. Matthews (URI)
Year: Junior (Guard)
Previous: Matthews is an athletic scoring guard who has been a big part in putting the Rams on the map. He averaged double figures in points his Freshman and Sophomore year, but was forced to sit out last season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. Matthews showed positive signs in his return, scoring 21 points and 3 steals in a win against Dartmouth.
Melo Trimble (MD)
Year: Junior (Guard)
Previous: A flashy guard who can score and pass the ball, Trimble is someone to keep an eye out for this season for the Terrapins. Trimble filled the stat sheet with 22 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds in an opening game win against American.
