KC’s Mid-Main High 10 – Murray State hangs on to prime spot, plus our 2021-22 Mid-Main All-America Workforce
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Kevin ConnorsESPN
Inform me you did not react. Inform me you did not spring off your loveseat or lounger. Inform me there is no pleasure in watching a younger man make the shot of his life — a gaggle dwell out its wildest goals. Inform me the mid-major insanity will not be actual.
When David Jean-Baptiste hit the shot heard ‘spherical Chattanooga on Monday it not solely despatched the Mocs to the NCAA event, it confirmed for the umpteenth thousand time, there is no such thing as a month like March.
ABSOLUTE MADNESS‼️
Chattanooga wins the SoCon and a visit to the NCAA tourney AT THE BUZZER! pic.twitter.com/mQ77OIjOWM
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 8, 2022
Inform me you’ll be able to’t get behind Griff Aldrich, the previous Division III participant, turned Division III assistant, turned regulation scholar, turned training lawyer, turned oil and gasoline firm government, turned assistant once more (at UMBC for the Retrievers’ historic 2018 NCAA event upset of Virginia, no much less) turned head coach at Longwood College. The 47-year-old adopted his hoop dream, galvanized a program and a fan base, and led the Lancers to the college’s first ever Massive South Convention championship on Sunday, and with it, a visit to The Massive Dance.
The tickets-punched panorama is crammed with unimaginable tales and from Newark, Delaware to Murray, Kentucky to Atlanta, Georgia to Hamilton, New York, Dayton, Ohio to Smithfield, Rhode Island and diverse faculties and universities in between, these tales are being shared. As of Thursday, 12 tickets to the NCAA event have been punched with the lion’s share nonetheless to return.
After all the flip aspect of that actuality is the tip of the highway for greater than 250 applications that will not be taking part in postseason play. So with that in thoughts, we elected to rejoice the sport’s prime gamers, from the “Energy 25” conferences (each mid-major convention), within the first-ever version of KC’s mid-major All-American crew:
First Workforce
The Cowboys loved one of many best common seasons in program historical past and Ike — together with Hunter Maldonado — have been as answerable for that as anybody. In Ike’s case, the sophomore made a giant leap from his freshman season, averaging 19.9 PPG (up 8.7 PPG) and 9.6 RPG (up 4.2 RPG) each among the many prime 25 nationally. Coach Jeff Linder’s polished lefty eclipsed 25 factors in 9 video games and his 33-point, 10-rebound masterpiece in February — whereas enjoying 39 of 40 minutes — helped topple eventual league champ Boise State. I like Ike … and all the pieces the Pokes star provides some of the harmful mid-major groups in America.
What’s left to say about some of the prolific scorers in all of school basketball? McGhee missed out on main Division I in scoring by 0.1 PPG (24.6 PPG, behind solely Bryant’s Peter Kiss) en path to his second straight ASUN Participant of the 12 months trophy. His 765 complete factors did lead the nation, as did his 135 made 3-pointers. McGhee’s 48 factors in a January win over FGCU have been essentially the most in a single sport this season and his 47 factors in a win over Kennesaw State six weeks later have been the second-most. Someday, when KC’s Mid-Main Corridor of Fame opens its ultra-luxe handcrafted sandalwood doorways, McGhee will probably be amongst its inaugural class.
Isiaih Mosley, Missouri State Bears
An All-Missouri Valley Convention first-team decide for the second 12 months in a row, Mosley is a first-teamer right here within the brightest galaxy in hoops thanks to a different stellar marketing campaign. After ending final season a shade beneath 20.Zero PPG (19.8) the Bears bucket-getter completed this season at 20.1 PPG, second within the MVC to solely Northern Iowa’s AJ Green. Mosley was fifth within the league in rebounding (6.2 RPG) and his 43.4% mark from 3-point vary was the very best in Division I amongst gamers averaging at the least 20.Zero PPG. Over 1,100 factors in two seasons warrants a critical tip of the KC mid-major snap-back trucker cap. (merch accessible for order quickly!)
David Roddy, Colorado State Rams
No crew has loved the luxurious life-style inside essentially the most unique zip code in sports activities fairly like Colorado State in KC’s High 10, and nobody is extra answerable for it than Roddy. The Mountain West Convention Participant of the 12 months powered the Rams to a 24-Four common season — together with an 11-Zero begin — and a 14-Four mark in convention play second solely to Boise State, which CSU swept. Roddy was third within the MW in scoring (19.5 PPG), sixth in rebounding (7.6 RPG), 13th in assists (2.Eight APG) and was far and away the league chief in FG% (57.5%). He additionally shot a shimmering 46% from 3-point vary, 15th in Division I amongst certified gamers, and an enchancment of almost 20% from his freshman season. “Rowdy” Roddy is the true deal.
KJ Williams, Murray State Racers
Williams joined former teammate Ja Morant (what ever occurred to that man?) by taking dwelling Ohio Valley Convention Participant of the 12 months following a season during which he led the OVC in scoring (18.2 PPG) and completed second in rebounding (8.6 RPG) to Morehead State’s Johni Broome. With Williams because the driving power, Murray State turned simply the sixth OVC crew to complete the common season unbeaten, simply the second to additionally win the convention championship sport and the primary to do all of it within the highlight of a season-long High 10 rating in KC’s Ballot of Document.
Second Workforce
Jamaree Bouyea, San Francisco Dons
The driving on-court power behind San Francisco’s winningest season in 40 years, Bouyea led the Dons in scoring (17.1 PPG), assists (4.1 APG) and steals (1.Eight SPG), all of which rank contained in the top-10 within the West Coast Convention. The USF star additionally shot a profession greatest 38% from 3-point vary, an enchancment of greater than 15% from his freshman season. Most significantly, Bouyea has the Dons in place to achieve the NCAA event for the primary time since 1998. As a Fifth-year graduate scholar he might or might not be older than his head coach, Todd Golden, however Bouyea will go down subsequent to Invoice Russell, Invoice Cartwright and Quintin Dailey among the many greats in program historical past.
One of many switch portal stars of the 12 months, Estrada elevated Hofstra to a top-Three end within the Colonial Athletic Affiliation within the Pleasure’s first season beneath former star Coach Speedy Claxton. Estrada averaged 18.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 5 APG, changing into the primary Hofstra participant to common 15-5-5 since … Claxton! After spending one season at Saint Peter’s, then the following at Oregon, Estrada discovered a house on Lengthy Island within the 2021-2022 season, incomes CAA Participant of the 12 months honors. His 22-point, 10-rebound, 8-assist effort towards Arkansas in Little Rock in December highlighted some of the spectacular wins in program historical past and certainly one of KC’s most memorable mid-major coups of the 12 months.
Rollins took over the keys to the Rockets’ ship from 2021 Mid-American Convention Participant of the 12 months Marreon Jackson, and piloted Toledo to new heights this 12 months. Coach Tod Kowalczyk’s crew wrapped up the common season with a 25-6 report, adequate to earn the highest seed within the MAC event. Ought to it run that gauntlet, UT would set a faculty report with 28 wins. Rollins is a pick-and-roll maestro with nice dimension at 6-4 — dimension that helped him lead the Rockets in rebounding (6.1 RPG) — and his 19.2 PPG was third-best within the MAC. Toledo hasn’t been dancing since 1980, nevertheless it’s been even longer because it has had a future NBA guard like Rollins.
Malachi Smith, Chattanooga Mocs
Title a option to rating, and Smith does it. Threes, drives, post-ups, floaters … they’re all a part of the repertoire of probably essentially the most versatile headliner on KC’s solid of mid-major megastars. Together with fellow KC All-America 1st-teamer Isiaih Mosley, Smith is certainly one of two gamers in Division I averaging 20 PPG on 50% FG and 40% 3-point FG. The Southern Convention Participant of the 12 months led the league in scoring (20.Four PPG) and per Bart Torvik, is the one Division I participant with 100 baskets on the rim, 50 from mid-range, and 50 from 3-point land versus Division I opposition. After a heart-stopping win within the SoCon Championship, do not be shocked if Malachi and the Mocs Chattanooga Choo-Choo past the primary spherical of The Dance.
A famous person, pure and easy, “Jelly” tied a UAB program report with 9 made 3-pointers towards Louisiana Tech on January 22nd — then two weeks later, on February Fifth, established a program report with 42 factors towards Center Tennessee. The Convention USA Participant of the 12 months (and Newcomer of the 12 months) completed third within the league in each scoring (19.Three PPG) and assists (5.1), whereas ending first in made 3-pointers (101). The spark to the Blazers’ mid-February rise to No. Three in The Ballot of Document, when Jelly’s on a roll ‘U Ain’t Beatin’ UAB.
Third Workforce
Fardaws Aimaq, Utah Valley Wolverines
Tevin Brown, Murray State Racers
Ryan Davis, Vermont Catamounts
Hunter Maldonado, Wyoming Cowboys
Baylor Scheierman, South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Honorable Point out: Max Abmas, Oral Roberts; Justin Bean, Utah State; Matt Bradley, San Diego State; Johni Broome, Morehead State; AJ Inexperienced, Northern Iowa; Hyunjung Lee, Davidson; Kenneth Lofton Jr., Louisiana Tech; Alex Morales, Wagner; Norchad Omier, Arkansas State; Mark Sears, Ohio
KC’s Mid-Main High 10 for this week:
Final week: tie-2nd
To paraphrase coach Matt McMahon following his squad’s 71-67 win over Morehead State within the OVC championship Saturday: No crew in faculty basketball gained extra video games this season and no crew misplaced fewer. Arduous to argue with, one thing The Committee has been preaching because the preliminary launch of KC’s mid-major Ballot of Peak Brilliance. MSU turned simply the sixth program in OVC historical past to run the desk throughout the common season and solely the second to additionally win the OVC event championship. The Racers have not misplaced since Christmas and their solely defeat since Thanksgiving got here at AP No. Four Auburn. With OVC Participant of the 12 months KJ Williams, fellow first-team OVC choice Tevin Brown and McMahon, the league’s Coach of the 12 months, “KC’s mid-major Workforce of the 12 months” will probably be a single-digit seed within the NCAA event and can win at the least one event sport. Subsequent up: NCAA event
Final week: 1
Having already registered the most important win in faculty basketball this season, Coach Randy Bennett’s bunch fell in need of a repeat efficiency Tuesday towards Gonzaga within the WCC championship sport. However Saint Mary’s late February common season win over the Zags proved to the wine and cheese crowd that this crew can beat anybody, wherever (the enlightened mid-major followers knew this in June.) Bracket fanatic and good friend of the “Energy 25” convention groups (the mid-majors) Joe Lunardi presently has Saint Mary’s as a 6-seed within the NCAA event, a product of 5 Quadrant 1 wins and High 20 standing in all revered metrics-based rankings.
Subsequent up: NCAA event
Final week: 5
To greatest put into perspective what coach Niko Medved’s males have completed this season, think about this: The Rams have as many Quadrant 1 wins as Arizona and Duke! CSU additionally swept the season collection from Mountain West common season champion Boise State, misplaced only one dwelling sport all 12 months and celebrated David Roddy’s MW Participant of the 12 months honor in arguably essentially the most aggressive race in any convention. Colorado State has been smoother than the entire catalogue of Curtis Mayfield with a snifter of Courvoisier, all season lengthy, and stands nearly as good an opportunity as anybody to chop down the nets in Vegas.
Subsequent up: vs. Utah State in Mountain West event (Thursday)
Final week: 4
Solely a constant residence within the penthouse suite of the best high-rise in mid-major hoops — KC’s High 10 — matched the Broncos’ Mountain West common season title this season, this system’s first outright because the 1987-1988 season. However the feting of Boise State hardly ended there. Leon Rice claimed MW Coach of the 12 months honors, Abu Kigab and Marcus Shaver Jr. have been second-team All-MW picks, and Tyson Degenhart was the MW Freshman of the 12 months. A season sweep of San Diego State highlights a glittering résumé. A season sweep by the hands of Colorado State is all that is retaining BSU exterior the highest 3.
Subsequent up: vs. Nevada in Mountain West event (Thursday)
Final week: 7
Drew Valentine is the youngest coach in Division I faculty basketball and subsequent week, when the NCAA event suggestions, the 30-year-old (!!!) will lead his crew into the Dance because of the Ramblers’ run by way of the Missouri Valley Convention event. Loyola toppled Bradley and Northern Iowa, then avenged a pair of normal season losses to Drake by dumping the Bulldogs within the championship sport to assert victory at Arch Insanity. Resplendent of their designer pima cotton MVC Championship t-shirts, Sister Jean and firm await a vacation spot within the NCAA event and a date with a dance accomplice that undoubtedly needs nothing to do with these Ramblers.
Subsequent up: NCAA event
Final week: 6
Coach Brian Dutcher’s squad was 12-6 on February Fifth and holding a first-class ticket to Nowheresville. Then got here a victory over Nevada adopted by a highway win at San Jose State, and quicker than you’ll be able to say Ron Burgundy, San Diego State had gained 9 of 10 to complete the common season. The Aztecs will add a PDF file of their résumé to the powers that be and spotlight wins over Saint Mary’s (impartial web site), vs. Colorado State and at Wyoming, to not point out a 13-Four mark in Mountain West play. After all it by no means hurts to win a sport in Vegas, however from this Committee to the NCAA event committee, any bracket wants to incorporate second-team All-MW choice Matt Bradley, MW Defensive Participant of the 12 months Nathan Mensah and SDSU.
Subsequent up: vs. Fresno State in Mountain West event (Thursday)
Final week: 8
Like 24 consecutive groups earlier than them, the Dons’ run within the West Coast Convention event got here to an finish within the semifinals, on the paws of Gonzaga. USF fell right into a 47-27 halftime gap and, regardless of pulling inside eight late, didn’t dig out. Nonetheless, the physique of labor is simple: double-digit wins within the Alcatraz-tough WCC, a 24 rating within the NET, 21 in KenPom and three Quadrant 1 Ws together with a neutral-site victory over Davidson. Coach Todd Golden’s group has earned its unique entry to the plush velvet sectionals and fake chinchilla fur rugs of the swankiest speakeasy in sports activities, all season. An at-large invite to the NCAA event needs to be an absolute given.
Subsequent up: NCAA event
Final week: tie-2nd
It is easy for the great of us in Denton to be disillusioned with the end result of Saturday’s common season finale at UTEP. However for the love of “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin, Imply Joe Greene and Meat Loaf … do not lose sight of what coach Grant McCasland’s males have completed this season. The Imply Inexperienced have been 2-Three earlier than successful 22 of the following 23 video games, together with a program report 15 in a row. The Convention USA common season champs might head into event play in Frisco on a bitter observe, however The Committee is hardly rescinding its most well-liked tee occasions on the most unique membership in mid-major hoops.
Subsequent up: vs. Rice in Convention USA event (Thursday)
Final week: 10
Upgraded to four-diamond standing within the Ritz-Carlton of mid-major polls in mid-February, coach Eric Henderson’s membership has greater than held up its finish of the discount. Tuesday night time, behind 21 factors and 11 rebounds from Summit League Event MVP Douglas Wilson, the Jackrabbits downed North Dakota State 75-69 to win their sixth championship in 11 seasons. Already the primary Summit League crew to run the desk in-conference throughout the common season, SDSU additionally turned the primary crew in convention historical past to achieve 30 wins. The Jacks will take the nation’s longest win streak — 21 video games — into the NCAA event subsequent week, music to the ears of your complete Brookings neighborhood.
Subsequent up: NCAA event
Final week: 9
Arguably the best coach in mid-major historical past, Bob McKillop claimed his 10th Coach of the 12 months award (eight within the Southern Convention, two within the Atlantic 10) following a 25-5 season which included an A-10 common season title. Wildcats senior Luka Brajkovic was named A-10 Participant of the 12 months after averaging 14.6 factors on 58.7% FG capturing, with Hyunjung Lee and Foster Loyer additionally incomes all-conference accolades. Nothing is assured, although you need to assume the NCAA choice committee has the Cats within the discipline it doesn’t matter what. Nonetheless, an extended weekend in D.C. would make the parents in Mecklenburg County really feel just a little higher about their probabilities.
Subsequent up: Atlantic 10 event (Friday)
Others receiving votes: Wyoming, UAB, Dayton, BYU
Dropped out: None
ESPN Stats & Information researcher Jared Berson contributed to this text.
Comply with KC on Instagram: @kevinconnorsespn & Twitter: @kevconnorsespn
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