NCAA Basketball: Formerly injured players set for big impact in 2020-21

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks to Joshua Langford #1 during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville won 82-78 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 20: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

DeAndre Dishman – Middle Tennessee

When 6’6 DeAndre Dishman transferred from Eastern Kentucky it signaled a new start for the Lexington native at Middle Tennessee. After sitting out the 2018-19 season due to the NCAA transfer rule, Dishman was prepared to improve upon his sophomore averages of 11.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg. This was to begin during the Blue Raiders’ preseason trip to Costa Rica, instead, Dishman suffered a knee injury in the second game and was ultimately ruled out for the entire season.

The 2020-21 season will present Dishman with yet another opportunity to start anew, a mentality Coach Nick McDevitt would be well served to adopt as well. The 2019-20 season saw the Blue Raiders finish with a 4-14 record which landed them last in the OVC. If the Blue Raiders are to climb out of Conference USA’s basement, they will have to do so without three top scorers C.J Jones (16.2 ppg), Antonio Green (12.6 ppg), and Reggie Scurry (8.6 ppg).

Dishman establishes his presence inside and takes the ball to the rim. Whether he takes a mismatch off the dribble from the perimeter or posts up in the paint to face up his defender, Dishman has thoughts of dunking the ball. With the exiting of offensive talent from Middle Tennesse, Dishman’s usage percentage will surpass his career-high of 21.5.

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