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Big South Basketball: In-depth look at USC Upstate star Tommy Bruner

By Bryan Mauro

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 12: Jure Span #3 of the USC Upstate Spartans comes out of the game during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Verizon Center on November 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Hoyas won 105-60. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 12: Jure Span #3 of the USC Upstate Spartans comes out of the game during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Verizon Center on November 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Hoyas won 105-60. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Expectations for Tommy Bruner in 2020-21

Overall Upstate has not experienced much success since they made the transition to the Big South two full seasons ago.  Last year was better and the Spartans started to show their potential late in the year.

This season, many have them finishing in the top half of the league and Bruner is a huge reason why. While they may not have the best overall talent in the league they do have the best overall player and that is going to lead them to win games that they otherwise should not win.

The individual expectations for the sophomore are only going to grow as he starts playing basketball this year. He should be the conference player of the year.  If he doesn’t win the award he will be in the running for it all year.

Bruner is the type of guy who is going to force his opponent to play their best because if they don’t the guard can rack up a ton of points really fast and change the game in a hurry. A Spartan has already made it in the NBA and there is nothing to suggest that Bruner won’t be the next especially considering he is on pace to shatter every record in the Spartan record book

The Spartans have their entire backcourt back in action this year with Bruner and the team’s leading scorer Everette Hammond as well as point guard Dalvin White and his 2.9 assist to turnover ratio.

Next. Mid-major 2020-21 preseason power rankings. dark

The Spartans have their core back and with the extremely high ceiling for Bruner, this team is now ready to take off. No one in the league has the backcourt pieces that the Spartans have. While they are picked by many to finish in the top half they have the talent and the ability to finish at the top of the league.