Busting Brackets
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
20 of 27
Next
Mid-major Basketball
Mid-major Basketball Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

There were six players last season for Western Kentucky that averaged at least double figures in terms of scoring. Two of them graduated in Jared Savage and Camron Justice but the other four are coming back, including leading scorer and two-time all-conference star guard Taveion Hollingsworth (16.6 ppg).

His return wasn’t even the most noticeable, as former five-star forward prospect Charles Bassey declined the NBA Draft and came back for his junior season. He missed most of last season with a knee injury after averaging 15.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg in 10 games. Bassey is one of the best frontcourt players in mid-major basketball and with a full and healthy season, should be the frontrunner for Conference USA Player of the Year.

"With a deep, experienced squad and an NBA-level star in Bassey, WKU should not only be the C-USA favorites, but they should be a threat to win a game or two in the NCAA Tournament. – Logan Butts (@logan_butts)"

Joining Bassey in the frontcourt is Carson Williams, who averaged 14.0 ppg and 6.6 rpg last season as the de facto center. Providing some depth upfront is sophomore Isaiah Cozart, although the likelihood will be that the Hilltoppers uses a bunch of small-ball lineups. That includes using Davidson transfer forward Luke Frampton, who averaged 10.3 ppg and is a sharpshooter.

Western Kentucky also has a sit-out transfer ready to go in Kenny Cooper. The 6’0 guard averaged 9.8 ppg and 4.5 apg in his last season at Lipscomb and will provide the team with a legit ball-handler. That was a weakness for the Hilltoppers a year ago, with Hollingsworth leading the team in assists at just 2.7 apg.

With senior wing Josh Anderson also back and Jordan Rawls providing quality depth in the backcourt, Western Kentucky has plenty of firepower that makes them the clear favorite in Conference USA. Hollingsworth and Bassey make for one of the best duos in the country and few teams, particularly in the mid-major basketball world, can compete with.

Home/Mid Major Conferences