After running through our top five breakout sophomores for next season, it’s time to take a gander towards juniors who might be poised for big-time campaigns.
With three point guards, one under the radar shooting guard, and a Wisconsin forward to was pivotal to the Badgers’ success a year ago, this list is a must-read for any college basketball fan.
1.) Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin Badgers
Hayes was the third offensive weapon for Wiscy last season, behind Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker. However, as a junior, Hayes should step into a starring role in an offensive that seems build to his skill set. On the wing, he’s consistently improved upon his jump shot each year he has been in Madison, now showing off range to the three-point line. In the post, he can face up or back an opponent down, flashing his credible athleticism in the process. He’s also more than capable of being a half-court ball handler, and is an exceptional passer.
Without Kaminsky and Dekker, much of Wisconsin’s scoring burden will be put onto Hayes’ shoulders. If they can play with offensive efficiency that is even in the same stratosphere as a year ago, Hayes will be hot commodity.
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2.) Monte Morris, Iowa State Cyclones
Sure, Morris will likely only be the second or third option for the Cyclones on the offensive end. But go back and look at what point guards have achieved under new ISU head man Steve Prohm–hint, it’s quite a bit. Morris will be given as much or more responsibility and freedom than he’s ever enjoyed in college. After a stellar sophomore season, there’s no reason to think he can’t thrive in that roll.
Now, Morris may not average 15 points per game, or anything of the sort, but he has a chance to battle with Frank Mason III for the title of the best point guard in the Big 12.
3.) Isaiah Taylor, Texas Longhorns
No one is really sure why Taylor considered leaving Texas and jumping to the NBA, but new UT head coach Shaka Smart is sure glad that he chose to stay in Austin. Taylor is electric offensively, able to get to the rim no matter who is defending him. Defensively, he has the potential to be a work horse if he consistently expends the energy necessary.
Smart’s point guards tend to be go-getters with pushing the pace, and Taylor should have no problem doing that. He’s a different style than the two other Big 12 point guards mentioned above, but he’s right in the conversation when talking about the impact they have for their teams.
4.) London Perrantes, Virginia Cavaliers
Perrantes may never be a big time scorer in college basketball, and his stats may never blow anyone out of the water. The fact is, he’s just not that kind of guy. But he does make winning play after winning play, and he’s the silent drum that is behind the scenes, pacing everything Virginia does.
Whether it is for fantasy reasons or otherwise, Perrantes will be an intriguing case to watch next season to see just how far his stat line stretches down the page. It’s not unreasonable to think that he could average near 10 points, more than six assists, and some combination of rebounds and steals that will make him a hot under the radar commodity.
5.) Jordan Mathews, California Golden Bears
If you watch him play long enough, there will be at least a few games where it’s impossible to think that he averages less than 15 points per game. There isn’t a spot on the floor where he can’t knock down a shot, and he’s become more and more proficient at finishing around the rim as his time in Berkeley has gone on.
With Cal bringing in as much talent as they did in the 2015 class, some think that his role may be diminished next season, while this writer believes he could be the primary benefactor of all the attention paid to the Bears’ freshmen.
