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NCAA Basketball: Top 25 strongest backcourts for 2020-21 season

By Ian Mumm

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats takes a foul shot during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Capital One Arena on March 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats takes a foul shot during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Capital One Arena on March 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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AUBURN, ALABAMA – FEBRUARY 12: John Petty Jr. #23 of the Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA – FEBRUARY 12: John Petty Jr. #23 of the Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

16. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide are in a favorable position heading into next season. Nate Oats seemingly has the impeccable ability to not only convince top talent to play in Tuscaloosa but also to keep them on the roster longer than their stock suggests. NBA prospect John Petty noted he will return for his senior season and is expected to be the unquestioned veteran leader on the team in 2020. Petty’s presence is big news, given his overall productivity specifically from the perimeter.

He had significantly improved his efficiency from deep and led the conference in conversion rate in 2019 at 44.0%. He also finished in the top-10 nationally for the same category and it would not be surprising for him to put up similar numbers again in 2020.

Freshman breakout Jaden Shackleford also finished 3rd in the conference in this category and will look to land himself on NBA radars this season. Even though Shackleford landed himself on the conference’s top list of perimeter shooters, he showed an aptitude for scoring at a high rate from all areas on the floor.

Joining these two are a host of newcomers Nate Oats is very excited about. At the top of the list has to be Villanova transfer Jahvon Quinerly who found it difficult to mesh well with his prior program in 2018. Quinerly struggled to score the ball from the perimeter in his lone college season, but the 6’1 guard has an exceptional ability to finish at the rim with highlight-reel-esque plays. His skill set is very well suited for Oats system and his knack for creating shooting and driving lanes for his teammates will significantly aide the Tide’s production.

Small forward Juwan Gary didn’t even step on the court last season, due to a major injury, but should be ready to go this year. The excitement and expectations around the physical wing are sky-high. Canadian guard Josh Primo reclassified into the 2020 class to join the Tide program and adds another big (6’6) ball handler to the mix for Coach Oats.

His offensive adjustment to the college level could emerge more in his second season with the program, but his defensive traits are already strong and could definitely help this very deep group excel next season.

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