Busting Brackets
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Preview of 2021 Junior College NCAA Basketball Tournament

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 27, 2020; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Tyon Grant-Foster (1) dunks against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2020; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Tyon Grant-Foster (1) dunks against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Junior College (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Junior College (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

16. Hutchinson Blue Dragons (18-6)

Will face No. 17 seed Kilgore

A year ago, Matt Mayen averaged just a few points and rebounds a game for the Blue Dragons. This time around, the sophomore forward is putting up 19.0 ppg and 10.1 rpg on 60% shooting from the field. That includes a career-high 44 points on 15-20 (14-14 from free throw line) shooting from the field.

Another key player is guard Joshua Baker, who averages 15.9 ppg on 49% shooting from deep. He’s one of the top JUCO players in the 2021 class, with Rutgers, Loyola-Chicago, and Houston among his recent list of finalists. Forward Majok Kuath is the respective Conference Defensive Player of the Year and along with Mayen makes one of the top frontcourts in the tournament.

With head coach Steve Eck set to step down after the tournament, Hutchinson has plenty of play for in this event. With so much top-end talent, this is a team that could make a deep run here.

15. Vincennes Trailblazers (17-6)

Will face No. 18 seed Holmes

The Trailblazers have just one double-digit scorer on the roster in freshman forward Justin Turner, who leads the team with 11.7 ppg and 5.8 rpg. There’s some decent scoring depth overall, with seven players averaging between 6.9-11.7 ppg. They’re one of the lowest-scoring teams with 71.1 ppg and shoots under 44% from the field.

Where the reigning NJCAA champions do very well is on defense. Vincennes is 6th nationally in points allowed at 63.1 ppg and is capable of blocking shots. If they can handle Higgins and Weatherspoon of Holmes, they’ll be able to advance.

14. Indian River State Pioneers (18-3)

Will face No. 19 seed Dawson

Respective Conference Player of the Year Linton Brown will be making a decision on his new home on May 1st, with several Mountain West and other high-level mid-major programs targeting him. He’s averaging a team-leading 18.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg, while making 53% from the field and a whopping 52% from three-point range. That includes a trio of 30+ point games in a span of two weeks.

The Pioneers have four other double-digit scorers, including freshman Abdoulaye Thiam (14.5 ppg on 47% three-point shooting, and Antrell Charlton, one of the best point guards in this tournament at 11.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, and 6.1 apg. He had a triple-double against Miami Dade just a few weeks ago too. This can be an explosive offense which will make for a fun contrast against Dawson’s defense.

13. Ranger College Rangers (19-4)

Will face No. 20 seed Cochise

Ranger has been a top-10 offense nationally and will be a major threat to go all the way, thanks to a trio of star players. Sophomore Jorell Saterfield leads the team with 17.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg and has been receiving offers from mid-major programs throughout the state of Texas. Trey Tennyson recently got offered by Coppin State and Prairie View A&M and is averaging 16.1 ppg, including a 31-point effort.

Nebraska fans can get a look at commit Keisei Tominaga, who averages 15.7 ppg and shoots 50% from three-point range. Ranger has five different players that shoot over 40% from deep and is capable of going for 100 points on a given night. If opponents aren’t careful, they’ll be run off the court.

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