Mid-major Basketball: Way-too-early top-50 power rankings for 2020-21
16. Little Rock Trojans
2019-20 record: 21-10 (15-5 in Sun Belt)
Even after Rayjon Tucker transferred out a year ago, the Trojans managed to still be No. 1 in the Sun Belt this past season. Besides a big breakout campaign from Markquis Nowell (17.2 ppg and 4.9 apg), the biggest surprise came from JUCO transfer Ruot Monyyong, who put up 11.9 ppg and 9.8 rpg in his first season as a D-I player.
With the exception of outgoing transfer Jaizec Lottie, Little Rock essentially returns their entire rotation for next year. That includes fellow double-digit scorers Kamani Johnson and Ben Coupet, along with several role players (Kris Bankston, Nikola Maric and Marko Lukic) who missed more than half of this past season. There’s little in a way of a mega 2020-21 campaign for the Trojans.
15. Furman Paladins
2019-20 record: 25-7 (15-3 in SoCon)
Star guard Jordan Lyons has graduated but Furman returns just about everyone else for next season. That includes forwards Noah Gurley and Clay Mounce, who combined to average 27.5 ppg and 10.6 rpg this year. Then there are guards Mike Bothwell and Alex Hunter, the team’s leading passer at 3.7 apg.
The Paladins have won at least 13 games in the SoCon in the past four years and with four starters returning, should be on track to do so again. The conference has a pair of other juggernauts coming up on the list but Furman absolutely has a shot at getting at least a share of the regular-season title.