The 2019-2020 College Basketball Season has been phenomenal so far. Several upsets, more parity in the first three months than several years combined, no clear number one team, and a year where the freshmen recruiting class is very weak. Through all that, college basketball never disappoints night in and night out. Every night you will find a game that piques your interest. Here are six over my favorite and most underrated players in College Basketball.
Drew Peterson – Rice (9.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.2 APG, 33.3 3P%)
I know many college basketball fans aren’t rushing to Tudor Fieldhouse to go watch the Rice Owls play basketball. However, you should. The Owls have a future star on their hands. Peterson has a very unorthodox style of play, but it makes him very hard to guard. The 6’9″ guard that is very well-rounded and always makes the right play as a distributor. Every time he touches the ball something good happens. He’s not the quickest or the fastest but his IQ is on another level. Peterson isn’t flashy but is a very good ball-handler and plays at his own pace. On January 11th I went to a game where he played against FIU. Peterson dominated every facet. He finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. What stood out to me the most was his poise. FIU loves to pressure the ball for 40 minutes, but Peterson took his time didn’t get sped up. Look for Peterson to dominate Conference USA for the next two years.
Miles McBride – West Virginia ( 10.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2 APG, 40.5 3P%)
Over the years we are used to seeing “Press Virginia” overwhelm opposing teams, forcing an abundance of turnovers. Well, things have certainly changed this season. Remember just a few years ago when Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles were leading the charge for the Mountaineers? Bob Huggins currently has a guard that comes off then bench that reminds of those two and that is Miles McBride. Every time McBride shoots it you think it’s going in and this guy is fearless. He brings instant offense off the bench and not one time has he complained about his role. McBride has also embraced the West Virginia culture defensively and is one of the stingiest defensive players in the Big XII. He currently ranks 10th in defensive rating and defensive box plus/minus. McBride is the best guard on the Mountaineers roster and will be a key component for them come tournament time.
Trejon Jacob – FIU (12.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 40.7 3P%)
Conference USA has some of the most underrated players in the country and Trejon Jacob is one of them. Jacob is one of the best shooters in the country and scores in bunches. The Panthers play at one of the fastest paces in the country, which plays into Jacob’s favor. Before you know it he has hit two, three, even four threes in a row. The FIU star is also one of the most efficient players in the conference as he ranks 8th in that category. Defensively Jacob is elite off the ball and ranks 5th in the conference in steal percentage. The opposing point guard has to know where he is at all times on defense. His timing is impeccable along with his long arms and quick-twitch athletic ability. Going forward, Jacob will get First Team All-Conference honors but will need to dominate games to propel his team to an NCAA tournament bid for the first time since 1995.
Chris Clarke – Texas Tech (6.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 44.9 FG%)
Chris Clarke is one of the most versatile players in the country. He isn’t great at one thing but he is good at pretty much everything. Clarke is a 6’6 point-forward that creates opportunities for his teammates before the play develops. The Red Raiders are 15th in the country in assists per game at 16.2 and Clarke is the main catalyst of that. For basketball fans to really understand his game you have to watch him play. He won’t wow you with 20 point games but he dominates teams with his IQ and playmaking ability. Personally, I wish he would shoot more as he is the best player on Texas Tech’s roster. However, how many players lead their teams in rebounds and assist per game in the country? Very few. Clarke over the year has shown true selflessness and a willingness to buy into Chris Beards’ system for the greater good of the team.
John Mooney – Notre Dame ( 15.7 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 45.5 FG%)
Many analysts say they are having a hard time picking their First-Team All-American list. Well, let me make it easy for them. John Mooney is a lock to be on that list. Mooney is the epitome of what college basketball should be. Hardworking, tough as hell, blue-collar mentality. He is flat out one of the most valuable players in college basketball. It was a travesty that Mooney wasn’t named to the Wooden Award midseason watch list. Mooney is a grown man on the glass and ranks first in the country in total and is first in offensive rebounds in the ACC. He reminds me of another Notre Dame legend in Luke Harangody. The Irishmen likely won’t make the NCAA tournament but man is Mooney a hell of a lot of fun to watch. You will get your money’s worth every time you watch him play.
Jordan Goodwin – Saint Louis (15.5 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.1 SPG, 47 FG%)
The A-10 is one of the best conferences in the country with its combination of potential tournament teams, future pro players and great coaching. We praised Cole Anthony for being one of the few guards in the country that consistently gets double-digit rebounds. However, what about Jordan Goodwin who actually averages a double-double and is more efficient as a scorer? Goodwin’s competitiveness and drive to be great is what separates him from most guards across the nation. If you don’t compete he will dominate you. He has a Russell Westbrook like mentality along with his quickness, athleticism, and a gift for scoring. NBA scouts keep your eyes on him, he could be a steal in the late second round or even as an undrafted prospect.
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