Most Under-Rated Players in College Hoops

We're now less than 3 weeks away from having brackets in our hands -- and I feel like Buddy the Elf on Christmas Morning. In less than a week, Conference Tournament play will begin for some of the smaller conferences -- the Power 5's will soon follow -- and before you know it, we'll be scratching our heads trying to find that ever-elusive 12-over-5 upset.

But until then, I want to continue helping fans (both casuals and hardcore) expand their knowledge of the world of College Hoops. Over the next couple weeks, I'll be diving into more CBB topics like predictions for Conference Tournaments, Bid Stealers, Predictions for what Bubble Teams will make it to March Madness -- as well as Double-Digit seeds to watch out for, Upset predictions, and Players to Watch once we have a Bracket.

This time of year is where College Hoops occupies most of my watching -- and therefore my blogging -- so if you have any topics in CBB you'd like to see, let me know!

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High-Major - Good Players, Good Teams

Players on teams that you will likely see in the Tournament -- that don't get enough love or National attention.

Nick Boyd - Wisconsin

It's hard to imagine a player with the pedigree of Boyd -- who played in the Final 4 with Florida Atlantic in 2023, and led a San Diego State team to the Tournament last season, and is now averaging 20+ ppg for the Wisconsin Badgers -- being under-rated. But I think the average CBB fan would scratch their head at the mention of Boyd, who has been playing like a Top-10 guard in the country for the last month + (20.6/3.6/3.8, 48/36/81 splits).

Pryce Sandfort - Nebraska

Staying in the Big Ten, with a team that could have 5 different guys qualify for this list. As a whole -- even after their undefeated start to the season, Nebraska is one of the most under-rated teams in the nation. So take your pick -- but I'll go with former Hawkeye Pryce Sandfort, who has become a star shooting 41% from deep on 9 attempts, scoring nearly 18 ppg, and leading this Husker team as they search for their 1st March Madness win.

Malik Reneau - Miami

You may remember Reneau from his 3-year tenure at Indiana -- putting up decent stats on not-very-good Hoosier squads. Now, Malik is leading the Miami Hurricanes to a resurgent, Tourney-Bound season under 1st year coach Jai Lucas. At 6'9, Reneau is a highly-efficient scorer for the Canes at 19.5 ppg on nearly 57% FGs, and is shooting a career-best 36% from 3-pt on career-high attempts.

Lamar Wilkerson - Indiana

After 2 straight missed-Tournaments under Mike Woodson, Indiana turned to Darrian DeVries to try and change the luck for the Hardcourt Hoosiers. They sit at 18-10 with an all-new roster of players that played elsewhere last season, and none have been better than Lamar Wilkerson. A 20 ppg scorer at Sam Houston last year, he's up to 21.5 ppg at the Big 10 level on 47/38/88 splits, knocking down nearly 4 threes a night for Indiana.

Rashaun Agee - Texas A&M

Expectations weren't high for the Aggies in their first season under new coach Bucky McMillan, especially after Mackenzie Mgbako's early-season injury. But they've been impressive, especially since SEC play started, and the play of Rasahun Agee is a huge reason why. Does a little bit of everything for A&M, leading them in scoring (14 ppg), rebounding (9 rpg), blocks, and is Top-3 on the team in steals and assists. Junkyard dog type of player.

Donovan Atwell - Texas Tech

It's sad times in Lubbock right now with the loss of JT Toppin for the season -- a spear to the heart of their National Title hopes. But before his injury, and continuing on now since -- Donovan Atwell has quietly been a huge reason for Tech's success. He's knocking down the 3rd most 3's per game in the nation (3.7 pg) at nearly a 46% clip, also is over 1 spg, and plays the 2nd most minutes on the roster.

BJ Edwards - SMU

If you've listened to me on 4 Corners, you know my thoughts on his backcourt mate Boopie Miller. And Jaron Pierre is another wing that averages 17.6 ppg for the Mustangs -- so BJ Edwards gets overlooked. But he's a menace on both ends of the court, and if SMU is going to make a deep run, he'll be a huge part of why. Leads the ACC in steals with 2.4 pg, averages 13/6/5 with 1.5 3PM at a 37% clip -- does it all, and does it well.

Dailyn Swain - Texas

It's been an up-and-down year for Texas, but this is a team fighting on the Bubble, and Dailyn Swain is doing everything he can to will them to the Tourney. The Xavier transfer has been one of the best isolation scorers in the nation this year -- is a match-up nightmare at 6'8, 220, and athletic -- and is very efficient at 57% FG. 18/7/3.5 averages, and holds his own on D with nearly 2 spg.

Jayden Stone - Mizzou

Closing things out with a player MIZ fans are familiar with, but the country may not be. Jayden Stone missed some games early in the year that the Tigers lost, but since he's been back, has been a difference-maker. 14/5/2 on the year, is a 50/40 shooter, makes 2 3's a game, and has been a good scoring option outside of Mark Mitchell.

High-Major - Good Players, Bad Teams

Guys on High-majors that we likely will not see come Tourney time -- so need to give them their flowers while we still can.

PJ Haggerty - Kansas State

The 3rd-leading scorer in the nation at 23.5 ppg, Haggerty has played 3 straight seasons for 3 different teams (Tulsa, Memphis, now K-State) and averaged over 21 ppg at each stop. Also gets 5 rpg and 4 apg, pretty efficient at 49/36 splits -- but can't lead this squad to any wins.

Nick Martinelli - Northwestern

Another guy making a living off getting buckets -- and sticking with the Northwestern program which I respect -- Nick Martinelli was a 20+ ppg guy last year, and is even better this season. 50.5/43/81 splits, 22.6 ppg, 6 rpg, gets to the FT line, and has 4 30+ point games on the year.

Josh Hubbard - Mississippi State

Much like Martinelli, Hubbard has been loyal to Hail State, and while the team's records aren't always great, he brings it night in and night out. A career 19 ppg scorer, averaging 22 ppg this season, popped off for 46 points and 10 3's vs Auburn, 6 30+ point games -- and stands barely 6-feet tall. A CBB Legend.

Juke Harris - Wake Forest

If there was a Most Improved award for CBB, Juke Harris would be a good candidate -- going from 6 ppg as a Freshman to 21+ ppg as a sophomore for Wake. Also grabs nearly 7 boards a game and is a 3-level scoring threat — scored 38 pts in a loss to Boston College Wednesday.

Tre Carroll - Xavier

Rounding out the Bad-Team-All-Stars is Tre Carroll -- an FAU transfer who has taken his game to new levels with Xavier. Leads the Big East in scoring, Averages 18.6/6/3 on 51/36 splits -- pretty solid defender at over 2 stocks a game -- and one of the more productive players in the Big East, despite his team's struggles.

Mid-Major - Good Players, Good Teams

Last section is for my mid-majors -- but there is no "good player, bad team" category here. Respectfully, there's a lot of guys putting up monster numbers on bad efficiency with no assists because they play on horrible teams -- and those aren't the guys I want to highlight. These are the dudes that play winning basketball, on very good mid-major teams, that I have watched AND truly enjoy watching this season.

I'll start with the guys at the bigger Mid-majors, and we'll work our way down to the lower-major guys. And you may see some of these hoopers in March -- so keep an eye out.

Kellen Thames - Saint Louis

Starting with a guy I know SLU fans are familiar with -- but think the rest of the CBB world will become familiar with soon. SLU's hitting a bit of a rough patch with a pair of road losses -- but Kellen Thames, their 6th man, always shows up in big and small ways for the Bills. Scored 24 @ Dayton, had 16 and 5 steals in a big win over VCU -- he's the glue-guy on both ends of the court, and a premier athlete.

Mason Falslev/MJ Collins - Utah State

Utah State is the best team out of the Mountain West this year -- in large part to this duo of Falslev and Collins in the backcourt. They combine for 34 ppg for the Aggies -- Collins doing most of his damage from deep (65 makes at a 39% clip), while Falslev does a little bit of everything (16/6/3 with 2+ steals) and does it efficiently (53/42/75 splits).

Izaiyah Nelson - South Florida

The current leader, and my favorite team out of the American Conference, is the South Florida Bulls. It will be rock fight in the AAC Tourney -- but I hope USF is able to win it, or get in as an At-Large. Izaiyah Nelson will likely win AAC POY this season, as the big man puts up 16 & 10 on nearly 60% shooting, and is a great defender, racking up well over 3 stocks a game. With good shooting all around the big man, USF could be dangerous come March.

Tavari Johnson - Akron

Miami Ohio is getting all the love out of the MAC -- and for good reason, they're the last standing undefeated team in the nation. But if you asked me who the best team in the MAC is -- I'd tell you it's Akron. And Tavari Johnson -- a 4-year Akron staple, senior-leader -- has been dynamite for the Zips, averaging 20.6 ppg, 5.2 apg, and is ultra-efficient at 52/37/90 splits. If they get in the Tourney -- they're a Cinderella Candidate.

Logan Duncomb - Winthrop

Winthrop has been red-hot, thanks to the excellent play of Logan Duncomb -- pushing High Point for the Big South lead. The 6'10 senior started his career at Indiana, but wound up at Winthrop and has been their go-to option. He's a paint specialist -- 19 & 9 on 60% FG for the season, but has been even more dominant lately. 3rd Highest offensive rating in all of College Hoops.

Nolan Minessale - St. Thomas (MN)

One of my favorite players in the country, one of my favorite niche mid-majors to watch -- St. Thomas (MN) has not been eligible for the postseason in recent years as they transitioned to D1, but are this season. Minessale is an explosive guard that shocks you with his athleticism -- is a very good passer -- underrated defender -- and is Mr. Do-It-All for the Thommies (20/4/4 on 50.4% FG and 1.6 spg).

Keon Thompson - Stephen F. Austin

Stephen F Austin is making a push to win the Southland -- in 1st place as of today at 25-4 on the year. Keon Thompson has been their star -- an 18 ppg guy that scores at all 3 levels. Also grabs 5 boards and leads the team with 4.4 assists per game. Is the go-to scorer and POY favorite in the Southland for a program I always love to see pop up in the Tournament.

Quinn Denker - Northern Colorado

Terri Miller Jr - Portland State

Money Williams - Montana

A triumvirate of twine-ticklers from the Big Sky Conference to close things out. I think one of these 3 teams are making the Tourney -- and they all have 1 HOOPER you need to know.

Quinn Denker is a stud -- only 6'3, but one of the best all-around players in CBB production-wise. Averages 18/5/7 on 48/33/81 splits -- a sensational passer who's great at knifing to the paint and scoring/facilitating.

Terri Miller leads the 1st place Vikings of Portland St. He does it all -- 19/6/3.5 averages, 51/40 splits -- great shooter with great size at 6'8. Also good at getting steals with 1.5 pg, and a legit Big Sky POY contender.

But my #1 Big Sky Baller is Money Williams -- one of my favorite players in the country for 2 years now. Montana isn't as good as we hoped, but Money has been Money -- leads the conference in scoring at 19.4 ppg, 5 apg, 4 rpg, 48% from the field, 85% from the line -- and would be my pick for Big Sky POY.