NCAA Basketball: 20 sophomores under pressure to break out in 2020-21

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 12: Matthew Hurt #21 of the Duke Blue Devils takes a three-point shot against the Central Arkansas Bears during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 12, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 21: Chris Ledlum #4 of the Harvard Crimson (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Chris Ledlum – Harvard Crimson

While the departures of both Bryce Aiken and Seth Towns seem to be a massive loss, Harvard managed to win 21 games last season without having either of them healthy. What does hurt are the seniors leaving, including Chris Lewis, Robert Baker, and Justin Bassey. Along with leading scorer Noah Kirkwood, Ledlum is a key returning for the Ivy League heavyweights.

Ledlum averaged 7.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg in just 16 mpg off the bench, which converts to a nearly 20 and 10 average per 40 minutes. He’ll be a starter in the frontcourt and an under the radar candidate to win 2021 Ivy League Player of the Year. The 6’6 forward was a four-star recruit, so it won’t be surprising to see him blossom as a leader of the team.

Josh Kunen – San Francisco Dons

While losing leading scorer Charles Minlend to Louisville is devastating to their hopes of competing with the top WCC teams, the graduating of starting center Jimbo Lull is just as big an issue. The good news for the Dons is that Kunen, a 6’8 forward out of Australia and other starting frontcourt player, has a great chance to be a future star.

He’ll be going from being the 5th option on the court to being two or three, giving him more opportunities to pad his stat lines. Already a good rebounder and defender, Kunen will be tasked with banging with the bigs of both Gonzaga and BYU next season. If he can hold his own, San Francisco will be once again a thorn in their sides in conference play.

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