The Juniors
Honorable Mention: Donnie Tillman (UNLV), Zane Martin (UNM), Jordan Schakel (San Diego State)
5. Matt Mitchell, San Diego State
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Season Stats: 11.3 PPG 4.9 RPG 1.3 APG
Best Performance: 19 Points, 7 Rebounds and 2 Steals against Utah State 1/4
Mitchell has been a steady force in his Aztec career after de-committing from Cal State Fullerton and becoming a staple in the lineup in Viejas Arena. Mitchell get’s it done all over the court but rarely stands out on a stat sheet. He’s third on the team in scoring and rebounding but second in steals and makes his impact on both sides of the ball. Mitchell is a bit unheralded at times but without him, I can’t say for certain that the Aztecs would still be 20-0.
4. Amauri Hardy, UNLV
Previous Ranking: 4th
Season Stats: 15.1 PPG 3.6 RPG 3.6 APG
Best Performance: 27 Points, 4 Rebounds while going 11-23 from the field against Kansas St. 11/9
Hardy has adapted to a new role that has the Runnin’ Rebels in second place in the Mountain West while making the squad more well rounded and just as dangerous. He’s still scoring in bunches and the teams leading scorer but in conference play he’s taken a back seat to players like Marvin Coleman and Bryce Hamilton. His role no matter how it has regressed can’t be ignored on a 2nd place team so he keeps his past ranking of fourth going into February.
3. Derrick Alston Jr., Boise State
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Season Stats: 19.5 PPG 5.4 RPG 3.1 APG
Best Performance: 26 Points, 11 Rebounds and 2 Assists against BYU 11/20
The Mountain West’s leading scorer has seen an inconsistent ride all year long. Boise State’s play all has had some ups and downs but Alston Jr. who get’s up a lot of shots has been key to their current fourth place position. He’s only failed to hit double-digit scoring in three games this season and is keeping Boise State competitive in the middle of the Mountain West. The next five to six games will determine a lot and settle a lot of ties in the conference. So Alston Jr. and his squad need to get ready for the end of the regular season which by all accounts should be an absolute showdown.
Now next year’s Broncos squad should be a bit more well rounded and feature a bench who have gotten valuable minutes this season. But whether or not Alston Jr. (a redshirt junior) will be around is another announcement for another article at a later date.
2. Jalen Harris, Nevada
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Season Stats: 18.9 PPG 6.3 RPG 3.9 APG 1.2 SPG
Best Performance: 28 Points, 6 Rebounds, 6 Assists and 3 Steals against UNLV 1/22
Harris has been an absolute home run for a Nevada program he nearly transferred away from with the coaching change that took place in Reno. Then, he sustains an injury that kept him out of only one game but had everyone who watches Mountain West basketball on standby, especially Wolf Pack fans. Like I said he hasn’t disappointed and is leading the Wolf Pack in scoring (18.9 PPG) and rebounds (6.3 RPG) while providing a dangerous one-two punch alongside fellow former transfer guard Jazz Johnson. He looks in control of his defender and the pace of the Nevada offense every night, and if it wasn’t for who is listed in front of him on this list he would be the best junior in the class.
1. Malachi Flynn, San Diego State
Previous Ranking: 1st
Season Stats: 16.6 PPG 3.7 RPG 5.1 APG
Best Performance: 28 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists and 3 Steals against Iowa 11/29
Malachi Flynn has changed the script for the Aztecs this season. San Diego State is a mid-major program with the potential to recreate the magic enjoyed by mostly Gonzaga, but among teams outside of the “high major” spotlight. With a currently undefeated season to back that up, but this time last year the Aztecs were just a few games ahead of a .500 record and had plenty of success after that but ultimately ended up missing out on an NCAA tournament appearance after suffering a loss to the Utah State Aggies in the conference tournament.
Though last year’s team was competitive something was missing, that missing element was Malachi Flynn. Flynn has been tremendous for the Aztecs this season and though his numbers don’t jump out at you, his presence as a leader on the court raises San Diego State’s level of play tenfold. As he and another member of this list just ahead have Brian Dutcher excited to return to the big dance for the second time in his three years in charge and looking for a No. 1 seed to top it all off.
UP NEXT: SENIORS
[lawrence-related id=22872]