NCAA Basketball: Best rebounders from all 32 conferences for 2020-21 season

MAC – Josh Mballa (Buffalo)

The French forward started his career in the Big 12 as a member of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.  He didn’t see the floor much in Lubbock so it was hard to figure out just how good Mballa would be. Well now that he has played an entire season the country knows. Mballa is a good player and the third-best offensive rebounder on this list. He was so good on that side of the ball that he finished in the top 10 nationally in offensive rebounds per game.

The 6’7” junior forward averaged four offensive rebounds a game last year and was the most prolific rebounder at Buffalo in the last 40 years. The junior was able to turn those offensive rebounds into points a lot of the time and he still has a raw offensive game that is getting better. The Frenchman is going to be a force this year and will absolutely be the top line of everyone’s game plan.

It’s anyone’s guess how you devise a game plan to keep him off the glass. His ability to rebound, especially on the offensive end has a direct impact on winning and losing games for the Bulls. Any coach would love to have him on their team.

MEAC – Zion Cousins (Howard)

It is hard to fathom that a team that only won four games a season ago could be getting as much press and publicity as they have. However, when the school is in the nation’s capital and they land one of the best recruits in the country in Makur Maker that is going to happen.

The Bison have a ton of young talent that is ready to get this team to the next level. Cousins is going to be the frontcourt mate with Maker and heading into his senior year he looks to take his game to the next level.

Cousins was the leading rebounder last year and was one of the leading rebounders in the league. He averaged 7.5 rebounds per game and averaged 2.7 rebounds on the offensive end. Cousins is not the strongest offensive player, but he provides so much to Howard with his rebounding and presence in the paint. He is only going to be better with another year under his belt and with a much better supporting cast around him.

Missouri Valley – Cameron Krutwig (Loyola-Chicago)

To Missouri Valley fans everywhere, yes Krutwig is still in College and yes he is better than he was his freshman year when the Ramblers made the Final Four. Krutwig has been in the conversation as the best player in the Valley for the last couple of years. The senior big man is a great rebounder and enters the year as the best rebounder in the Valley.

Loyola was not a good rebounding team a season ago averaging only about 30 rebounds per game, without Krutwig and his eight rebounds per game they would have really struggled on the glass and their record would have likely reflected as such.

The big man does everything for the Ramblers as he led the team in points, rebounds, and assists. He has a natural ability to grab the rebounds and has improved by one rebound per year. His senior year will be his best one yet.

Mountain West – Justin Bean (Utah State)

Utah State has been one of the best mid-major programs in the country since head coach Craig Smith took over the program. The Aggies have a deep roster and have numerous ways to beat you. One of the most underrated players in the country and in the Mountain West also just so happens to be the best rebounder in the league.

Bean is a force on the glass and especially the offensive glass, and he did it all in under 30 minutes per game. The junior forward averaged a double-double last year and his offensive rebounding may have provided the biggest boost of anything for the Aggies.

Bean hauled in 121 offensive rebounds last year and with an offense as potent as the Aggies with their three-point shooting and a star in Neemias Queta underneath, that is a killer for the opponents as it usually led to easy offense for the Aggies. Bean is dominant on the glass on should be treated like one of the best rebounders in the country. Learn his name.