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Mid-major Basketball: Preseason Top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 1, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) dribbles while defended by Utah State Aggies forward Justin Bean (34) during the first half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) dribbles while defended by Utah State Aggies forward Justin Bean (34) during the first half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mid-major basketball Justin Turner (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

17. Bowling Green Falcons

Many mid-major basketball teams had to watch their best player enter the transfer portal this offseason. At one point, Bowling Green was one of them, losing leading scorer and All-MAC guard Justin Turner. He was set to choose from a number of power conference options, before deciding to change his mind and return to the Falcons.

He immediately becomes the favorite to win MAC Player of the Year after averaging 18.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg while shooting 36% from three-point range. The team returns plenty of firepower around Turner, including forward Daeqwon Plowden, who produced 12.7 ppg and a team-leading 8.5 rpg last season. Guards Trey Diggs and Caleb Fields also come back, along with starting center Tayler Mattos.

What is concerning about Bowling Green is where they’ll find productive passers in the backcourt. The team’s two leaders is assists (Dylan Frye and Michael Laster) both graduated. That leaves likely Fields to slide over as the team’s starting point guard, but more pressure will be on Turner to be more of a facilitator, as the ball will be in his hands a ton this season.

If either freshman guards Josiah Fulcher or Kaden Metheny can prove to be instant impact players, Bowling Green will solve its biggest weakness and take the pressure off of Turner to do everything. Expect him to put up some big numbers as a senior and lead the Falcons to the top of the MAC.

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