Morehead State Basketball: CBB Rank 2021, No. 98

CBB Rank 2021 goes through the projected top 100 teams in college basketball. Morehead State basketball continues us at 98.

Morehead State basketball gets into the top 100 for the CBB Rank at 98. The Eagles went 23-8 (17-3 OVC) last season, including going 2-1 against Belmont, on their way to the OVC Tournament Title. Preston Spradlin’s group will look to defend their crown behind the conference’s reigning Rookie of the Year in Johni Broome.

Projected Rotation

PG: Tray Hollowell: (6-3, 185, Gr.-Sr.)

2021 stats: 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals (Wofford)

Projected stats: 12.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals

SG: Skyelar Potter: (6-3, 198, Jr.)

2021 stats: 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals

Projected stats: 13.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals

SF: Jaylen Sebree: (6-7, 200, Jr.)

2021 stats: 2.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 10.9 minutes, 25 games played

Projected stats: 4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds

PF: Johni Broome: (6-10, 235, Fr.)

2021 stats: 13.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 blocks

Projected stats: 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks

C: Tyzhaun Claude: (6-8, 240, R-So.)

2021 stats: DNP (knee injury)

Projected stats: 10.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.8 blocks

6: Ta’Lon Cooper: (6-4, 190, So.)

2021 stats: 8.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals

Projected stats: 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals

7: Julius Dixon: (6-7, 202, So.)

2021 stats: 3.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 21 games played

Projected stats: 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds

8: LJ Bryan: (6-9, 235, Jr.)

2021 stats: 2.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 12.2 minutes, 30 games played

Projected stats: 4.1 points, 3.5 rebounds

Team MVP: Johni Broome

Broome took the Ohio Valley Conference by storm last year in his first season. He set the school’s freshman rebounding and blocks records. Furthermore, he finished second in the league in rebounding, and finished just outside the top 10 nationally in double-doubles with 13. Broome is one of the best mid-major players out there and will be a big reason why the Eagles will be back in the OVC title race this season.

Make-or-Break Player: Tyzhaun Claude

Claude missed all of the 2020-21 season with a knee injury suffered in a practice right before the start of last season. He was Morehead State basketball’s top returning big man heading into last season before the injury. If he can come back to his 2019-20 form, teams are going to have a tough time trying to contain both Claude and Broome down low.

Bench Rating: 5/10

Morehead State’s bench is a tale of two sides when it comes to experience. Having Ta’Lon Cooper come off the bench behind Wofford transfer Tray Hollowell and returning starter Skyelar Potter makes the backcourt strong. However, in the paint, there’s less experienced depth behind Broome and Claude. If either of those two get in foul trouble, Morehead State may have to go small or rely on minutes from the likes of Julius Dixon and LJ Bryan, who both got minimal playing time last season.

Team Outlook

Morehead State basketball will still be right in the thick of the OVC race for the 2021-22 season. That’s in large part thanks to newfound start Johni Broome and his ability to take over games. However, guard play is what wins, especially at the mid-major level, and the experience Tray Hollowell brings combined with the playmaking ability of Skyelar Potter make this team more than just Broome.

The Eagles won’t sneak up on anyone this year, and foes like Belmont and Murray State will be looking to take back the top spot in the league. However, the team defense the Coach Preston Spradlin had his group playing last year was top 50 good. If Morehead State can develop depth behind their starting big men, they will be tougher to beat than they already are.

Projected Finish: 2nd in the OVC

Projected Postseason Finish: CBI or CIT

Ceiling: Round of 32 exit