Busting Brackets
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MWC Basketball: Top 5 returning players for the 2017-2018 season

By Connor Hope

Feb 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Brandon Clarke (15) tries to get past UNLV Rebels forward Derrick Jones Jr. (1) during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 64-61. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Brandon Clarke (15) tries to get past UNLV Rebels forward Derrick Jones Jr. (1) during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 64-61. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack guard Jordan Caroline (24) shouts during the Mountain West Conference Championship game against the Colorado State Rams at Thomas and Mack Center. Nevada won the game 79-71. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack guard Jordan Caroline (24) shouts during the Mountain West Conference Championship game against the Colorado State Rams at Thomas and Mack Center. Nevada won the game 79-71. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Jordan Caroline (Nevada)

It would be difficult to imagine a list of the top returning players in any conference without mentioning the top returning player on the defending conference champions. That is exactly what Jordan Caroline is for the Nevada Wolf Pack.

Caroline finished second in the Mountain West with an incredible 9.2 rebounds. This total even put him above teammate Cam Oliver, a projected second-round pick in the NBA Draft.

Caroline is also a fantastic scoring wing, finishing third on the team last season with 16 points per game. A decent three point shooter, Caroline’s scores most of his points around the hoop.

Built like a defensive end and boasting similar athleticism to his father Simeon Rice, Caroline may be one of the toughest players in college basketball to stop once he starts his drive.

Jordan Caroline played a huge role in last year’s Mountain West Conference Championship for the Wolf Pack, and need to be just as effective if Nevada aims to repeat.

Caroline will be joined by four talented transfers, meaning the burden he carries will not jump as much as a player like Koby McEwen. He will, however, need to be the team leader, bringing the players together to put forth a winning effort.