NCAA Basketball: 20 breakout candidates for 2016-17

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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March 23, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas A&M center Tyler Davis (34) works out during practice the day before the semifinals of the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Tyler Davis (Texas A&M)

Outside of the Kentucky Wildcats, the SEC will be wide open…and I mean wide open…in 2016-17. One of the reasons for that is the fact that Texas A&M lost multiple key pieces off last year’s second round NCAA Tournament team.

Danuel House, Alex Caruso, Anthony Collins and Jalen Jones are gone to greener pastures, so there is a lot of uncertainty in College Station for this upcoming year.

The guy A&M will count on on a nightly basis is sophomore center Tyler Davis. The 6’10” big man from Plano, TX averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game during his freshman year. He was also highly efficient as he shot 66 percent from the field, scoring around the basket with ease.

Davis is not the flashiest player in the SEC or the greatest leaper in the country, but he swallows up rebounds because of his size and strength. He has solid post moves on the block and can finish with either hand due to his soft touch.

Defensively, he lacks the lateral movement and quickness to switch successfully in the pick-and-roll. However, he has enough height to protect the paint.

Expect Davis to increase his scoring average and rebounding totals (possibly average close to a double-double) in his second year on campus. He will combine with Admon Gilder and D.J. Hogg (two guys who very well could’ve made this list) to form a solid trio.

The Aggies won’t even come close to challenging Kentucky this upcoming season, but Davis is a player to watch when it comes to the SEC Player of the Year award.

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