Preview of 2021 Junior College NCAA Basketball Tournament
4. John A. Logan Volunteers (18-4)
Will face winner of Ranger vs Cochise
Even without star guard and New Mexico State commit Mario McKinney, the Vols have plenty of firepower to make a potential title run. Kansas center commit Sydney Curry leads the way with 13.1 ppg and 8.2 rpg, while guards Cam Alford (12.9 ppg and 4.4 apg) and Romon Douglas- Watkins (12.6 ppg and 7.8 rpg) have also been star players. They also have another D-I roster commit in Jamarion Sharp (7.9 ppg and 7.5 rpg), set to go to Western Kentucky.
John A. Logan arguably the best best frontcourt in the field in terms of talent, which explains why they’re one of the best rebounding teams in the country. As long as their guards continue to score efficiently, this is a team more than capable of winning it all.
3. Southern Idaho Golden Eagles (21-3)
Will face winner of Indian River State vs Dawson
The Eagles have a star in future Portland Pilot Deng Dut, who leads the team with 14.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.2 apg. They have another D-I commit in Amoro Lado (11.6 ppg on 48% from three-point range), who is off to Portland State next season. KT Raimey is another double-digit contributor to keep an eye on as well.
Southern Idaho is solid all-around and has an all-around star in Dut. They’ll need the rest of the roster to play well to avoid an early upset in the tournament. They may not have the firepower some of the other teams have but the Eagles defense is capable of slowing just about anyone down.
2. Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa Mavericks (23-1)
Will face winner of Vincennes vs Holmes
The Mavericks are a strong defensive team that likes to force turnovers, where usually, one of their three star sophomores takes advantage. The leading scorer is Texas State commit Tyrel Morgan, averaging 15.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 3.3 apg. JD Ray also averages 15.7 ppg on the season, but leads the team with 5.9 apg.
Forward Avante Lederer (13.1 ppg) gives Northern Oklahoma balance inside, while having five other players averaging between 5-8 ppg to add even more offense. As the No. 2 overall seed, the Mavs will have plenty of pressure to succeed this year. Morgan and Ray are very much capable of leading a deep run.
1. Mineral Area Cardinals (23-0)
Will face winner of Hutchinson vs Kilgore
The lone unbeaten team in the field, Mineral will be the Gonzaga Bulldogs of the JUCO Tournament. And there’s a reason why the Cardinals have yet to lose, as they’re No. 1 in the country in points allowed with 60.0 ppg. They’re top-10 in many defensive categories and have good depth, with many players that can play both ways on the court at a high level.
The star of Mineral Area is forward Malevy Leons, leading the team with 18.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg, and 3.0 apg. The other double-digit scorer on the roster is Keonte Jones, who averages 12.0 ppg and 5.6 rpg, but also blocks and steals a couple of times as well. Point guard Terrion Murdix (9.8 ppg and 6.0 apg) is an elite distributor and defender as well. If you’re going to beat the Cardinals, you’re going to have to hope that Leons has a rare off game, while managing to get over 60 points somehow against this team.
Final Four Predictions
1. Mineral Area vs 5. South Plains
Mineral Area’s defense will simply be too much in their bracket, while the balance of South Plains will give them an edge to get a few wins. Both teams have plenty of experience and talent but I believe that the Texans have the ability to score enough to get to the finals.
2. Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa vs 6. Chipola
Similar to the other side of the bracket, the elite defense of Chipola should be enough to overcome their region, while Noc-Tonkawa’s trio of stars and collective balance makes them very difficult to beat in a single-game elimination. But I don’t believe the Indians will be able to score enough in what should be a defensive slugfest.
Top available transfers since April 1st. dark. Next
2. Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa vs 5. South Plains
Both teams have plenty of scoring while also capable of playing great defense. This should be a toss-up in my eyes but if I had to pick a team with a higher hypothetical ceiling, it would be South Plains. No matter what, next week will give us both some exciting April matchups but also a glimpse of some future Division I NCAA Basketball stars.