NCAA Basketball: 2021 Legends Classic preview and predictions
By Matt Melton
2021 Legends Classic Players to Watch
Nate Watson – Providence Friars
Arguably the top player in the 2021 Legends Classic is the previously mentioned Watson, a 2020-21 Second-Team All-Big East selection that leads the Friars in scoring averaging 20 PPG and 7.3 RPG on 71.1% shooting from the field.
Pete Nance – Northwestern Wildcats
Nance leads the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding averaging 17.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 3 APG while shooting 56.8% from the field and 40% from three.
Braelen Bridges – Georgia Bulldogs
A transfer from UIC, Bridges leads the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding averaging 16 PPG and 8 RPG on 66.7% shooting from the field.
Jayden Gardner – Virginia Cavaliers
A transfer from East Carolina in the offseason where he was a two-time All-AAC selection, Gardner currently leads the Cavaliers in scoring and rebounding averaging 13.3 PPG and 6.3 RPG on 48.1% shooting from the field.
Aaron Cook – Georgia Bulldogs
A transfer from Gonzaga, Cook is averaging 14 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and a team-leading 8.3 APG and 2 SPG on an impressive 45.2% shooting from the field, as well as 55.6% from three.
Boo Buie – Northwestern Wildcats
Buie is averaging 16.3 PPG on 42.5% shooting so far this season, while also leading the Wildcats in assists and steals with 7.3 APG and 2.3 SPG.
Al Durham – Providence Friars
An experienced transfer from Indiana, Durham is averaging 14.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, and 3.3 APG while shooting 33.3% from three across the Friars’ first three games of the season.
Armaan Franklin – Virginia Cavaliers
A transfer from Indiana, Franklin is currently Virginia’s second-leading scorer averaging 13 PPG on 40% shooting from the field, as well as 31.6% from three.