Friday, October 15, 2010

Player Rankings: Mid-Major Stars

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Note: The lists exclude “BCS” teams and are in no particular order.

Conferences Ranked No. 7-14 (Atlantic-10, Conference-USA, Missouri Valley, Colonial, Mountain West, WAC, West Coast, Horizon)

Jimmer Fredette: Might be the best scorer in the entire country, Fredette can put up 30 in a hurry on any given night.

Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State: One of the most underrated forwards in the country, he is a double-double threat every night.

Elias Harris, Gonzaga: The German import was a surprise last season, becoming one of the best freshmen in the country.

Charles Jenkins, Hofstra: A strong, quick point guard, Jenkins is one of the best scorers in the country.

Aaric Murray, La Salle: Future NBA prospect will have to become more aggressive down low for the Explorers.

Wesley Witherspoon/Will Barton/Joe Jackson, Memphis: This perimeter trio stacks up with anyone in the country, at any level.

Kevin Anderson, Richmond: Won’t have David Gonzalvez as a sidekick anymore, so he will need to shoulder more of the load.

Juan Fernandez/Lavoy Allen, Temple: Fernandez is a scorer on the perimeter and Allen is a double-double lock down low.

Tu Holloway, Xavier: Without Jordan Crawford filling it up, Holloway will become more than just a guy who runs the show.

Shelvin Mack/Ronald Nored, Butler: Both players are excellent defenders, and Mack is a very difficult player to guard.

Chris Wright, Dayton: The high-flying Wright is a highlight reel waiting to happen every time he touches the ball.

Damian Saunders, Duquesne: Undersized big man for the Dukes, Saunders creates match-up problems with his skill set.

Dairese Gary, New Mexico: Gary can score and distribute at a high rate, but can he continue that without Darington Hobson?

Mickey McConnell/Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary’s: Both players can shoot the three and pass the ball well, and are interchangeable.

Vernon Teel/Drew Viney, Loyola Marymount: If a group is going to take down Gonzaga, it will be because of this inside-outside duo.

Kyle Weems, Missouri State: One of the most versatile players in the country, Weems can shoot the three and also defend.

Delroy James, Rhode Island: James can get to the basket effectively, and averaged more than 19 points per game in the NIT.

Wendell McKines/Troy Gillenwater, New Mexico State: Both players are highly productive forwards up front for the Aggies.

Tre’Von Willis/Chace Stanback, UNLV: Two former transfers form a wing duo that can carry the Runnin’ Rebels to the NCAA Tournament.

Tai Wesley, Utah State: Wesley is a very versatile forward, with the ability to score, rebound, defend and distribute.

Denzel Bowles, James Madison: Vastly underrated on a national level, Bowles put up nine double-doubles last season.

Chris Gaston, Fordham: One of the most productive players in the country, Gaston is stuck on a terrible team in the A-10.

Gary Flowers, Southern Mississippi: Although Memphis has most of the talent in the conference, you can’t overlook Flowers.

Conferences Ranked No. 15-No. 31

Keith Benson, Oakland: Benson can dominate offensively down low, but he is also a big-time shot-blocker and rebounder.

Kenneth Faried, Morehead State: Faried is very athletic and is fun to watch. He can make an impact at both ends of the floor.

Adnan Hodzic, Lipscomb: He has scored in double-figures in 57 straight games, and will be even better as a senior.

Damain Lillard, Weber State: Dropped at least 20 points on 17 different occasions; can fill it up and also distribute.

Derek Needham, Fairfield: Emerged as a top-notch point guard as a freshman, and will only get better his sophomore season.

John Holland, Boston University: Holland ranked in the top-10 of the America East in 10 different categories, including scoring (19.2 ppg).

Anatoly Bose, Nicholls State: Bose can absolutely fill it up; he scored at least 38 points on three separate occasions last season.

Alex Young, IUPUI: Young gets overshadowed by Benson within the conference, but he is a big-time scorer and can carry the Jaguars.

Sergio Kerusch, Western Kentucky: Missed 14 games a season ago, but the versatile forward will become the Hilltoppers’ go-to-guy.

Noah Dahlman, Wofford: Dahlman struggled a bit in the conference and NCAA Tournaments, but he is a load to stop down low.

Justin Rutty, Quinnipiac: Rutty is only 6-foot-7, but he put up double-doubles in 12 of his final 15 games last season.

Ryan Rossiter, Siena: Siena loses most of its big guns from last season, but Rossiter is a double-double lock and can dominate inside.

Donald Sims, Appalachian State: Sims is a lights-out shooter from three, and he scored double-figures in 35 of 37 games last season.

Cameron Jones, Northern Arizona: Jones dropped at least 20 points in 13 of his last 17 games last season, and can really fill it up.

Kevin Thompson, Morgan State: Without Reggie Holmes and his 21.5 ppg, Thompson will need to continue his double-double ways.

George Odufuwa, North Texas: He might be the best player in the Sun Belt; averaged a double-double and shot better than 60 percent.

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