Which school has the strongest group of guards coming into this basketball season?
Abilene Christian returns virtually every guard in Damien Daniels (6.0 ppg), Reggie Miller (6.2 ppg, 4.4 apg), Coryon Mason (10.6 ppg), Mahki Morris (6.6 ppg), Immanuel Allen (5.6 ppg), Logan McLaughlin (3.3 ppg), and Tobias Cameron (2.6 ppg) from the team that upset Texas. Plus they added JUCO Stevie Smith (9.3 ppg). A lot of speed on defense.
California Baptist returns a lot of firepower with all three perimeter starters returning in Ty Rowell (15.4 ppg, 5.8 apg), Reed Nottage (14.3 ppg), and Tre Armstrong (11.5 ppg). And, add All-Big West performer in Long Beach State transfer Chance Hunter (12.3 ppg) among a boat load of freshmen... Taran Armstrong, Keanu Rasmussen, Scotty Washington, and Aldo Ruiz Ortiz.
Grand Canyon returns arguably the best point guard in the WAC in Jovan Blacksher Jr. (12.0 ppg, 5.4 apg) and most of the bench; Chance McMillian (4.2 ppg), Sean Miller-Moore (4.0 ppg) and Jayden Stone (3.8 ppg). The Lopes also added Arizona State transfer Holland Woods (6.7 ppg) and Bucknell transfer Walter Ellis (8.8 ppg); and a group of talented freshmen (Jalen Blackmon, Kobe Knox, and Isaiah Shaw).
Lamar returns starters Davion Buster (15.1 ppg), Kasen Harrison (13.1 ppg, 4.0 apg), Ellis Jefferson (5.6 ppg); and add NMSU transfer CJ Roberts (6.9 ppg) and Austin Peay transfer Jordyn Adams (9.4 ppg) and a number of freshmen.
New Mexico State returns starters Jabari Rice (13.2 ppg) and Clayton Henry (8.2 ppg). And, adds Nebraska transfer Teddy Allen (16.5 ppg), Washington transfer Nate Pryor (4.1 ppg) plus a number of JC transfers; Mario McKinney (18.4 ppg), Marsei Caston (12.3 ppg), Levar Williams (8.0 ppg) and Aquarn Butler (6.3 ppg, 5.0 apg) .
Sam Houston State returns starters Demarkus Lampley (14.4 ppg), Donte Powers (7.3 ppg, 3.2 apg), Javion May (3.7 ppg) plus bench player Jarron Cook (6.4 ppg) and potentially a impact JUCO in JD Ray (16.3 ppg, 5.7 apg).
Seattle U returns the WAC's top scorer in Darrion Trammell (20.5 ppg). Plus they return starters Aaron Nettles (10.1 ppg) and Riley Grigsby (17.8 ppg) and notable bench player Nate Robinson (7.5 ppg). Also, added is Houston transfer Cam Tyson (6.2 ppg) who is considered a prolific three point shooter. And, JC transfer Kyree Brown (8.7 ppg, 5.6 apg)
Stephen F. Austin returns starters David Kachelries (11.4 ppg, 4.4 apg), and Roti Ware (12.9 ppg). And, return bench player Nigel Hawkins (6.4 ppg) along with a couple of other bench returnees; Jaylin Jackson-Posey, and Russell Hyman. Plus a they add little used Kansas transfer Latrell Jossell (1.2 ppg) and NJIT transfer Diego Willis (5.9 ppg).
Utah Valley returns two starting guards in Trey Woodbury (15.6 ppg, 3.8 apg) and Blaze Nield (4.4 ppg). And also return Jaden McClanahan (3.7 ppg), LaTre Darthard (5.9 ppg), and Colby Leifson (3.4 ppg). Additionally, UVU adds BYU transfer Connor Harding (5.4 ppg) and JC transfer Justin Harmon (16.0 ppg).
UTRGV, Dixie State, Tarleton State, and Chicago State also have impact guards but there are more question to be answered within their respective rosters.
UTRGV returns starter Quinton Johnson II (9.9 ppg) and bench players LaQuan Butler Jr. (9.1 ppg) and Doc Nelson (3.4 ppg). They also add Chicago State transfer Xavier Johnson (11.8 ppg), Southern Miss transfer Justin Johnson (5.7 ppg), SIU Edwardsville transfer Mike Adewunmi (13.0 ppg) and JC transfer BJ Simmons (17.0 ppg)
Tarleton State returns starters Montre Gipson (15.3 ppg), Shamir Bogues (6.9 ppg) and Shakur Daniels (7.0 ppg); bench player Javontae Hopkins (2.3 ppg). And, a boat load of new guards; most notably JC transfers Jaheim Holden (16.0 ppg), Isaiah Bujdoso (8.6 ppg) and Tayton Conerway (7.7 ppg)
Dixie State returns starters Cameron Gooden (13.1 ppg, 3.2 apg) and Frank Staine (9.9 ppg). And, return notable bench players Isaiah Pope (6.9 ppg) and Emad Elniel (2.8 ppg). Also added is JC transfer Jamaal Barnes (18.8 ppg)
Chicago State is starting from scratch with virtually a new roster. However, the Cougars bring in notable JC transfers Dominque Alexander (28.1 ppg), Favour Chukwukelu (17.8 ppg) and Brandon Betson (17.3 ppg). They also added human highlight reel Anthony Hamilton Jr.; who was a track star at Clemson and possesses a 51-inch vertical leap; along with an avalanche of freshmen guards.
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