NCAA Basketball: Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2021-22 season
21. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
The Bulldogs were a big surprise in Conference USA last season, winning 24 games and placing second in the regular-season standings. A “huge” part of that came with breakout freshman star Kenneth Lofton, who led the team with 12.2 ppg and 7.5 rpg last season. He’s listed at 6’7 and around 270 pounds but has tremendous footwork and skillset on both ends.
Lofton, who was part of Team USA this offseason for the U19 World Championships, was one of the best frontcourt players in the entire event. He’s set to have a breakout campaign and is joined by most of the roster returning, including double-digit scorers, Amorie Archibald and Isaiah Crawford. Starting guard Cobe Williams is also back in the backcourt too.
Louisiana Tech (@LATechHoops) F/C Kenneth Lofton Jr (@itzjunior34) made a name for himself on the world stage helping Team USA win the FIBA U19 World Cup title. Parents Gina & Kenneth couldn’t be more proud of their son who dad says had surgery to remove a brain tumor at age 2. pic.twitter.com/urBd3MWIYp
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) July 20, 2021
Among the key newcomers to the roster for Louisiana Tech are Keaston Willis, a 19.0 ppg transfer from Keaston Willis, LaDamien Bradford, a former four-star prospect from Texas A&M, and David Green, a 6’7 forward that started eight games at Hofstra last season. Willis will be the key as if he can replace what Kalob Ledoux did in the backcourt next season, the Bulldogs will be in a great position to stay around the top of Conference USA.
The Bulldogs were a strong defensive unit and have a star in Lofton to lead the way. As long as the guard combo of Willis and Archibald does well in the backcourt to provide that balance, this team will be just fine.