NCAA Basketball: Top 25 breakout junior players for 2020-21 season

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Guard Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders handles the ball during the second half of the college basketball game against the Kansas Jayhawks on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 08: Xavier Johnson #1 of the Pittsburgh Panthers (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

16. Morris Udeze – Wichita State Shockers

2019-20 stats: 4.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg

Even in just 10 mpg, the 6’8 center showed he can be effective on the court on the offensive, scoring 14+ points against both UT-Martin and Gardner-Webb early in non-conference play. As league play arrived, senior starter Jaime Echenique took the bulk of the available minutes the rest of the way.

With him graduated, and six other Shockers electing to transfer early in the offseason, there have been a number of newcomers to the roster. All of them though have been in the backcourt and on the wings, giving Udeze an opportunity to get plenty of playing time at the center position. Look for him to be a double-digit contributor for the new-look Wichita State squad.

15. Xavier Johnson – Pittsburgh Panthers

2019-20 stats: 11.7 ppg and 4.9 apg

An argument can be made that the 6’3 point guard took a step back compared to his freshman season (15.5 ppg), with his shooting numbers taking a big dip. But the backcourt partnership with Trey McGowens and even JUCO transfer Ryan Murphy never worked out last season, seemingly taking everyone down.

With the other two guards having transferred out, the undisputed lead guard for the Panthers is Johnson, who has even more surrounding talent in this upcoming year than he ever had. If the frontcourt can produce, Johnson should be able to get back into the All-ACC conversation.

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