Preview of 2021 Junior College NCAA Basketball Tournament
12. Salt Lake Bruin Bears (20-4)
Will face No. 21 seed South Georgia State
The Bruin Bears are a fast-paced scoring offense, going for over 90 ppg. They operate with a ton of depth and balance, with seven players averaging over 8.1 ppg and another three contributing around 6.6-7.0 ppg. Leading scorer James Lee’s status is unknown for the tournament but Salt Lake has plenty of other threats, including sophomore forward Marvin Price (12.0 ppg and 4.8 rpg) and Jay Allen-Tovar (10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg), who recently got an offer from Tulsa.
Even if Lee doesn’t play, Salt Lake has enough scoring depth to cause problems for not only their first-round opponent South Georgia State but the rest of the field as well. They’re not the greatest three-point shooting team though, so a good defensive frontcourt could cause their offense problems.
11. Shelton State Buccaneers (23-1)
Will face No. 22 Northeastern
All five starters for the Bucs are averaging in double figures, led by freshman forward Justin Bufford with 12.4 ppg and 6.0 rpg. He and Andres Burney (10.6 ppg and 8.7 rpg) make up a solid frontcourt duo, while Willie Johnson is the top backcourt player at 11.5 ppg and 4.3 apg.
Shelton State is a good all-around team on both ends and is a seven-point loss to Coastal Alabama away from being unbeaten entering the tournament. They’ll have the toughest individual matchup in the first round, taking on Northeastern star Dalton Knecht.
10. Coffeyville Red Ravens (22-3)
Will face No. 23 seed Southwest Tennessee
Star guard Tylor Perry is deciding between the likes of Montana State, Southern Illinois, and Florida Gulf Coast after averaging a team-leading 17.9 ppg on 52% from three-point range. There may not be another elite individual scorer alongside Perry but Coffeyville does have another seven players that average between 7.1-10.6 ppg.
Starters Bostyn Holt and Blaise Keita are the top rebounders for the Red Ravens while both scoring just under 10 ppg. As long as Perry continues to play well and the supporting cast collectively comes together, Coffeyville will be capable of going the distance.
9. Trinity Valley Cardinals (22-2)
Will face No. 24 seed Brunswick
Trinity Valley missed out on a bye but has arguably the best overall player in the field in Dashawn Davis, a longtime Oregon State commit who is averaging a whopping 16.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 9.9 apg, while also shooting over 40% from three-point range. A lot of his assists goes to guard Trevon Fuller, who averages 16.4 ppg on 37% three-point shooting, while also attempting 10 a game.
Cleveland State forward commit Anderson Mirambeaux is averaging 12.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg and when he’s on, the Cardinals have enough firepower to compete with the best teams in the entire field. They should be able to beat Brunswick in the first round but will need to have the supporting cast play well to go deep.