Preview of 2021 Junior College NCAA Basketball Tournament
24. Brunswick Dolphins (15-3)
Will face No. 9 seed Trinity Valley
One of the best interior players in this event is Josiah Shackleford, a freshman big man who led the Dolphins in both scoring and rebounding. He’s a consistent scorer and can be a dominant rebounder, including a season-high 19 boards against Sandhills. The key guard to watch is another freshman in Christian Koonce, who averages 13.7 ppg while shooting 43% from three-point range.
Although they’re the worst-seeded team in the event, Brunswick has five players that averaged double-figure scoring on the season and they shoot nearly 40% from deep as a team. If Schackleford can get going inside, they could be a threat to upset Trinity.
23. Southwest Tennessee Saluqis (11-4)
Will face No. 10 seed Coffeyville
The Saluqis have a pair of sophomore stars to lead the way in guard Brandon Mason (15.1 ppg and 3.0 apg) and forward Jamey Sanders (15.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg). Both have been fantastic all season, especially Sanders, who can spread the floor by making 36% from three-point range.
These are the only two double-digit scorers and as a team, Southwest Tennessee only scores around 77.5 ppg, which is below average when compared to the rest of the field. They’ll need a big night from both Sanders and Mason to land the upset.
22. Northeastern Plainsmen (15-5)
Will face No. 11 seed Shelton State
Northern Colorado has a prolific scorer joining them next season in Dalton Knecht, the highest-scoring individual in this event (22.9 ppg). He has several games of 30+ points throughout the season and also has nearly eight rebounds a night.
Knecht is the lone double-digit scorer on the roster but forwards Jared Adams and Quincey Jewett are very good overall contributors on both ends of the court. In the end though, their chances of beating Shelton State will depend on how much Knecht can take over and score to get the upset.
21. South Georgia State Hawks
Will face No. 12 seed Salt Lake
The Hawks have five double-digit scorers on the roster but the two guys to watch are Jalen King (15.0 ppg and 8.5 rpg) and point guard Nick Jiles (15.6 ppg and 7.1 apg). Jiles got the program single-game record of 15 assists earlier in the season and also is a threat from deep, making over 41% from three-point range.
Although South Georgia State has a high-scoring offense, they’ve recently been winning games played in the 70s and 80s. Salt Lake is a good defensive team so it’ll be on Jiles and King to lead the way to get the victory.