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NCAA Basketball: 20 breakout candidates for 2016-17

By Carmine Carcieri

Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Jalen Adams (2) brings the ball up court against Kansas Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor (31) in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Jalen Adams (2) brings the ball up court against Kansas Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor (31) in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) looks to shoot during the second half in the second round against the Wisconsin Badgers of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) looks to shoot during the second half in the second round against the Wisconsin Badgers of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Edmond Sumner (Xavier)

Edmond Sumner is the third Big East point guard to make this list, but he is the best of the bunch.

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The Michigan native came out of high school as a rail thin four-star prospect (160 pounds) who had offers from just Xavier, Kent State, UMass and Toledo. Dealing with a significant, painful knee injury, Sumner decided to red-shirt in his first year on campus, leaving Xavier with very few options beyond then-senior lead guard Dee Davis.

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With Davis graduating after the 2014-15 season, Sumner was the top point guard on Xavier’s roster last season. As a redshirt freshman, he played 25.9 minutes per game, while averaging 11.0 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. He also shot 40 percent from the field, 30 percent from the three point line and 73 percent from the free throw line.

Sumner put up solid numbers and showed poise running the team, but there are still aspects of his game that he can work on. The 6’5″ guard has terrific size and length, can score in transition, is an explosive athlete, is a good passer and plays solid defense, but he needs to become a more consistent shooter from beyond the arc and turn the ball over less.

Sumner, who is now up to 186 pounds, attacks the lane on a regular basis and is efficient in pick-and-roll situations. But he will need to learn how to play without a true strength.

The Musketeers are looking to make a run in the Big Dance in 2016-17. Ultimately, Xavier’s success in 2016-17 is going to ride on the back of Sumner.

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