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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COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 7: Malcolm McMillan #11 of the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils talks to head coach Howie Dickenman during their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 7, 2013 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won by a final score of 74-56. (Photo by Ryan Young/Getty Images) /

Tyler Kohl-Sr. – Central Connecticut State

Tyler Kohl has played one season at Central Connecticut State and to quote Nook Laloosh in Bull Durham, he certainly “announced his presence with authority.” The 6-5 senior swingman began his collegiate career at Mineral Area College in Missouri after graduating from Notre Dame-Green Pond High School in Pennsylvania. Kohl led MAC to a No. 9 ranking nationally in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll.

The 6-5 guard/forward joined head coach Donyell Marshall’s Blue Devils last season and was an immediate leader for the team, becoming one of the few players in the country to lead his team in points, rebounds, and assists, he also had a team-leading 1.4 steals per game.

Kohl averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 38 minutes per game during his first season. He would record eight double-doubles and score 20 points or more 13 times. Kohl’s key stretch came when the calendar turned to 2018. During an 11-game stretch that began on Jan. 11 against St. Francis (BKN) and ended on Feb.15 versus St. Francis (PA) he averaged 22.8 points and 9.2 rebounds to with 4.3 assists.

The emergence of Kohl spearheaded an eight-win improvement over 2016-17. It will be interesting to see if Kohl can keep the momentum going now that defenses know what to expect from him.

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