NCAA Basketball: Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2021-22

NCAA Basketball: Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2021-22 season

Mar 7, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Drake Bulldogs forward Darnell Brodie (51) drives to the basket as Loyola Ramblers guard Lucas Williamson (1) and center Cameron Krutwig (25) defend during the first half in the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

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Northern Iowa freshman AJ Green NCAA Basketball 190209 Drakevsuni /

20. Northern Iowa Panthers

Northern Iowa is looking for a major bounce-back season after finishing under .500 overall. It could be easily explained though, as Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year guard AJ Green went down with a season-ending injury just three games in. But the career 17.4 ppg scorer is back and close to 100%, automatically putting the Panthers back into contention.

The MVC program also brings back essentially everyone else on the roster, including last year’s leading scorer Trae Berhow, a 6’5 senior guard that averaged 13.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 3.0 apg, which also led the Panthers. Forward Austin Phyfe put up 12.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg in the frontcourt and is one of the top forwards in the conference, while both Bowen Born and Noah Carter were double-digit contributors as well. They also get back guard Antwan Kimmons, who missed most of last season due to personal reasons.

Related Story. 2021-22 season preview for Northern Iowa. light

Green’s return is going to affect everyone’s stats but the experience gained from last season is going to help Northern Iowa in a positive way in the 2021-22 campaign. And thanks to both Tywhon Pickford and Goanar Mar taking an extra year alongside Berhow, this team will be one of the more experienced rosters in mid-major basketball.

As long as the Panthers get the 2019 version of AJ Green, this team is going to compete for a conference title.

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