https://bustingbrackets.com/2021/04/16/preview-of-2021-junior-college-ncaa-basketball-tournament/
1. Mineral Area Cardinals (23-0)
Will face winner of Hutchinson vs Kilgore
The lone unbeaten team in the field, Mineral will be the Gonzaga Bulldogs of the JUCO Tournament. And there’s a reason why the Cardinals have yet to lose, as they’re No. 1 in the country in points allowed with 60.0 ppg. They’re top-10 in many defensive categories and have good depth, with many players that can play both ways on the court at a high level.
The star of Mineral Area is forward Malevy Leons, leading the team with 18.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg, and 3.0 apg. The other double-digit scorer on the roster is Keonte Jones, who averages 12.0 ppg and 5.6 rpg, but also blocks and steals a couple of times as well. Point guard Terrion Murdix (9.8 ppg and 6.0 apg) is an elite distributor and defender as well. If you’re going to beat the Cardinals, you’re going to have to hope that Leons has a rare off game, while managing to get over 60 points somehow against this team.
8. Cowley Tigers (21-4)
Will face winner of Trinity Valley vs Brunswick
The Tigers have the No. 2 scoing offense in the country at 108.3 ppg, while being in the top-5 overall in just about every major offensive category. Dalen Ridgnal is one of the five best players overall in the field, leading the team with 20.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, and blocking a couple of shots as well. He had several games of at least 30 points, while being in double-digits in rebounds in all but two games this season.
What makes Cowley a dangerous team is that their entire starting lineup is filled with sophomores who all score in double figures. Mikel Henderson is the facilitator of the offense, putting up 16.4 ppg and 4.4 apg on 39% three-point shooting. It’s going to be very difficult to stop this offense, with so many weapons to keep track of.