40. G Rasir Bolton – Gonzaga Bulldogs
2020-21 stats: 15.5 ppg and 3.9 apg at Iowa State
The Cyclones were dreadful as a team last season, including going winless in Big 12 play. The one bright spot was Bolton, who led them in both scoring and passing. He was in double figures in all but two games, including a career-high 26 points against TCU. Bolton can create his own offense and for others at the point but thrives mainly off the ball as a slasher and capable off-guard shooter.
Andrew Nembhard is the clear lead guard for the Bulldogs but the two-spot is up for grabs, with Bolton competing with five-star guards, Nolan Hickman and Hunter Sallis in the rotation. Bolton’s experience and proven ability should get him the edge at first but he’ll be a good double-digit contributor for the nation’s No. 1 preseason team either way.
39. F Garrison Brooks – Mississippi State Bulldogs
2020-21 stats: 10.1 ppg and 6.9 rpg at North Carolina
The 6’11 big man was an All-ACC performer, averaging 16.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg in 2020. He’s a very good post scorer when the featured option down low, something he wasn’t at UNC this past season in the crowded frontcourt.
The Bulldogs have Brooks and Tolu Smith as the frontcourt options this season but it’s the former UNC forward that is the clear lead offensive option down low. The team has some good guards to work with as well and if we get the 2020 version of Brooks, Mississippi State will have an NCAA Tournament contender.
38. G Marreon Jackson – Arizona State Sun Devils
2020-21 stats: 18.8 ppg and 5.9 apg at Toledo
The reigning MAC Player of the Year was one of the most impressive guards in NCAA Basketball statistically last season, recording multiple triple-doubles and being close to several more. The 6’1 guard is an elite facilitator and streaky shooter, while also being a 90+ percenter free throw shooter.
After losing so much scoring production from the backcourt last season, the Sun Devils may need to rely on Jackson to put up similar numbers. His efficiency will need to improve from the field but he may be a better passer than any of the guards the team had in the previous few years.
37. G Charlie Moore – Miami Hurricanes
2020-21 stats: 14.4 ppg and 3.2 apg at DePaul
The 6th-year transfer will be on his fourth NCAA Basketball team this season but showed at DePaul that he can be a lead guard. Moore also was a high-volume three-point shooter in the past couple of seasons, although he wasn’t as efficient.
The roster at Miami will be better than the one with the Blue Demons, particularly with Moore playing alongside All-ACC guard Isaiah Wong. This should take some pressure off of the 5’11 guard in a helpful way and give the Hurricanes one of the better, and older, backcourts in the conference.
36. F Tanner Groves – Oklahoma Sooners
2020-21 stats: 17.2 ppg and 8.0 rpg at Eastern Washington
The 35-point effort against Kansas in the NCAA Tournament may have put Groves on the national map but he was the Big Sky Player of the Year last season in a breakout campaign. The skilled big man shot 56% from the field and reached double figures in all but one game, while also having 10 games of double-digit rebounds.
With Brady Manek gone, Groves is going to be needed to provide frontcourt production for the Sooners. Offense is a potential issue on his roster so as long as he translates, his production from the Big Sky to the Big 12, Groves will be a major asset this season.