NCAA Basketball: In-depth look at Middle Tennessee star guard Elias King

Expectations for King in 2023-24

The Blue Raiders didn’t have a great start to the Nick McDevitt tenure, but with any transition to a new coach, it takes time to find the right mix of guys to run your program the way that you intend for it to be run. Middle Tennessee and coach McDevitt have figured it out over the last few seasons and have now become a threat in Conference USA again.

Conference USA is turning into one of the premier mid-major conferences in the country. I have not been very high on the Blue Raiders the last couple of years, and they have been a good team.  This year the Blue Raiders don’t return much from last season, but they do have a budding star in King and were able to get some commitments in the transfer portal.

Middle Tennessee fans are going to expect a lot out of their star guard this season. It is reasonable to expect that he is going to average double-digit points, about 6 rebounds per game, and shoot 40% from deep. The Conference USA is loaded with good players who are still in the league so if King does make the all-conference team it will be because of a fantastic season and King elevating his game to become one of the biggest stars in the league. It is possible that that scenario does play out especially considering how much of a jump I think King can make this year.

Coach McDevitt is hopeful that King takes the leap forward as he has every season in his career especially since he is going to see an increase in minutes and is the only starter returning so he is going to get the looks in the offense. The Blue Raiders are going to go as far as King takes them this year.

However, just like every other great player that has ever played basketball, he won’t be able to do it all alone, Middle Tennessee went out and got a few players in the transfer portal who are going to help them immensely. Ty Mosley a transfer from Mississippi Valley State shot 47% from three last year and Jacob Johnson who played a lot at LIU before transferring to the Blue Raiders.

Middle Tennessee is going to be a top-half team in the Conference USA with one of the best players in the league in guard Elias King. Be ready for the breakout.