NCAA Basketball: Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2021-22 season
11. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Hilltoppers are without the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year big man Charles Bassey, along with star guard Taveion Hollingsworth and key pieces, Carson Williams and Jordan Rawls. Yet head coach Rick Stansbury has always been able to bring in talent each offseason, either via the transfer portal or on the Junior College circuit.
The biggest name among the newcomers is Keith Williams, a 6’5 guard that led Cincinnati in scoring last season at 14.5 ppg. He’s a great two-way player and gives Western Kentucky a go-to option on offense. DePaul transfer forward Jaylen Butz and former Maryland forward Jairus Hamilton adds frontcourt depth and versatility, while JUCO newcomers Sherman Brashear and Darrius Miles will be part of the rotation.
What's it like to be the tallest player in the country?
— WKU Hilltopper Basketball (@WKUBasketball) September 21, 2021
Our 7-foot-5 center Jamarion Sharp is here to show you. #GoTops | @Jaammaarion pic.twitter.com/74Xyo1xx5r
But the “biggest” newcomer literally for the Hilltoppers is Jamarion Sharp. Listed at 7’5, the true center from John A. Logan College is going to be a major storyline himself in Conference USA. There’s no one that can guard him one-on-one but how productive he is in limited minutes will determine his viability in NCAA Basketball.
There is still some returning talent for the Hilltoppers, including 6’6 wing Josh Anderson, sharpshooter Zach Frampton, and sophomore guard and breakout candidate Dayvion McKnight. Add to the backcourt is top-50 freshman Zion Harmon, a future star in the making that could very well take the reigns early on in the offense.
There will be some big threats for Western Kentucky, which is looking to break the drought of missing the NCAA Tournament in UAB and Louisiana Tech. But the very late addition of Williams could be what puts this program over the top in the regular-season title race.