NCAA Basketball: 10 mid-major gems to watch for 2018-19

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: A detailed view of a Wilson Basketball with a NCAA March Madness logo on it during the first half between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Florida Gators during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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ANNAPOLIS, MD – NOVEMBER 13: Jace Hogan #44 of the Navy Midshipmen tries to save the ball from going out during the first half against the Florida Gators during the Veterans Classic at Alumni Hall on November 13, 2015 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Jace Hogan-Sr. – Jacksonville

Jace Hogan’s collegiate career is a perfect example of a player who as his minutes increase so do his minutes. Hogan began his career at the Naval Academy in 2015-16, after graduating from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Florida where he set a school record for points in a season during his senior campaign.

As a freshman, he appeared in just eight games for the Midshipmen where he averaged 3.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12 minutes of action that came early in the season as he didn’t crack the scorebook after Dec. 12.

In his second season, the 6-6 forward saw his minutes increase to 23, and he took advantage, averaging 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds, shooting 46% from the field. He also scored in double-figures 17 times, netted a season-high 22 points in a loss to Boston University, and had his first two double-doubles against Charleston and South Carolina-Upstate.

After his sophomore season the Melbourne, FL decided to play closer to home and transferred to Jacksonville. After sitting out the 2016-17 season, Hogan exploded last season, jumping his points per game average up to 17.1 and grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game and shooting 51.6% from the field in 30 minutes of play. He recorded six double-doubles, topped the 20-point plateau nine times and scored a career-high 39 points in the team’s penultimate game against Kennesaw State.

The Dolphins finished the season 15-18 but Hogan was the big bright spot for head coach Tony Jasick, and if his minutes increase like they have his first three seasons look for Hogan’s numbers to do the same. That seems to be his MO.

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