ACC Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 19: Buddy Boeheim #35 of the Syracuse Orange reacts during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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ACC Basketball Jae’Lyn Withers Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Louisville: Jarrod West and Jae’Lyn Withers

Decrease in production: Jarrod West

Jarrod West was Marshall’s second-leading scorer last season with a per-game average of 12.5 points while logging 34.1 minutes per game, which was also the second-highest average on Thundering Herd. Surprisingly, West was able to put up these numbers with just an 18.8 Usage Percentage, which was just the fourth highest among the starters. The 5’11 point guard had little competition for playing time at Marshall, which will be the biggest change as he transfers into the ACC.

West is not the only transfer, as El Ellis will be transferring from JUCO and can compete for some minutes at the point guard spot. With just two starters returning for the Cardinals’ there will be a need for scoring as far as Head Coach Chris Mack is concerned, it will not come – however – from West at the same rate it came to him at Marshall.

Increase in production: Jae’Lyn Withers

One of those returning starters is 10 points per game Jae’Lyn Withers. As a freshman, the 6’8 Withers started all twenty games he appeared in, only two of those starts were alongside Malik Williams in the frontcourt, ultimately making Withers the de facto center. In his second season, Withers will be able to move to the power forward position as Malik Williams should be cleared to play following the foot injury that kept him out of all but three games.

With Jarrod West replacing Carlik Jones and Noah Locke replacing David Johnson, Withers is the highest-scoring player returning. At seven field goal attempts per game last season, Withers will be putting up more shots this season as the defensive end will be a lot more familiar to him.