The Oscar Tshiebwe’s and Armando Bacot’s of the world will get all the headlines with college basketball right around the corner, but these five players from mid-major conferences shouldn’t be overlooked.

Sam Vinson, Soph. Guard (Northern Kentucky)

Vinson decided to play his college ball close to home and it paid off in year one. The Fort Thomas, Kentucky native averaged 11.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. The 2021 Horizon League Rookie of the Year is the reason why Northern Kentucky is picked 1st in the conference. While Vinson is primarily a wing, he has the play-making ability and ball-handling to play point guard. He’s also a terrific defender, ranking second in the league in steals last year. It will be interesting to see how he fares against high-major opponents this year with Cincinnati and Washington State on the schedule.

Mike Bothwell, Sr. Guard (Furman)

Furman was oh so close to an NCAA tournament bid last season thanks to Bothwell, who made a go-ahead layup with five seconds in the Southern Conference tournament final. Chattanooga drained a three at the buzzer to spoil the Paladins’ season. The good news is that Bothwell, a two-time all-league player is back for his super senior season. Bothwell can not only get to the rim, but he improved his three-point shooting after he struggled from beyond the arc in 2020. Bothwell will hope to lead Furman to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1980.

Daylen Kountz, Sr. Guard (Northern Colorado)

Kountz started his career as a reserve at the University of Colorado for two seasons. His career took off after transferring to Northern Colorado in the spring of 2020. He had a solid first year in Greeley, but his game developed significantly last year. He finished top ten nationally in scoring, averaging 21.2 points per game, and shooting over 50 percent from the field. The Golden Bears could be a darkhorse in the Big Sky if Kountz replicates his season from 2021.

Cameron Holden, Sr. Guard (Towson)

Towson is the clear favorite in the Colonial Athletic Association and Cam Holden is a big reason why. Holden can do a little bit of everything, but he stood out as a rebounder last year. At six-foot-five he averaged almost eight rebounds per game. While three-point shooting isn’t his strength, he makes up for it as a solid defender and a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Tigers have a legit chance to end a 32-year NCAA tournament drought.

Jake Stephens, Sr. Center (Chattanooga)

After Dan Earl left his post at Virginia Military Institute to take the Chattanooga job, he prioritized getting Jake Stephens to follow him. Stephens was an all-league player in the SoCon last year, and he will have an excellent chance to do the same at his new home. Stephens isn’t a typical back-to-the-basket big. He shot 49 percent from three-point range last year and 80 percent from the foul line. Unsurprisingly at six-foot-ten, he’s still a terrific rebounder and shot blocker. The Mocs are riding high after winning the SoCon tournament last year and can’t be ruled out to repeat despite having a first-year coach.