NCAAB

Mid-major players who could become Cinderella stars

Scott Gleeson
USA TODAY Sports

Part six of the annual 10-part  Starting Five series,  two weeks before the season tips off. USA TODAY Sports examines the most intriguing story lines heading into the 2016-17 college basketball season. Today, players who could transform into Cinderella stars. 

Monmouth Hawks guard Justin Robinson (12) reacts after making a layup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Justin Robinson, Monmouth

The 5-8 point guard was the face of last year's Cinderella that didn't make the Dance, as Monmouth dominated SportsCenter with bench dancing and huge upsets before getting snubbed by the NCAA tournament committee on Selection Sunday. Robinson, the defending MAAC Player of the Year, is back to get the Hawks to the NCAAs and he'll be one of the most popular mid-major players all season long on that pursuit. Robinson (19.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.7 apg) hits big outside shots and gets to the paint to create for his teammates, yet it's his energy that makes this team tick.

Alec Peters, Valparaiso

Valparaiso forward Alec Peters makes the Crusaders the favorite to win the Horizon League.

The 6-9 Peters (18.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg) bypassed the NBA and returns as one of the country's best big men. The only problem is he comes back to a somewhat depleted roster, including former coach Bryce Drew departing for Vanderbilt. No matter. The Crusaders won 58 games in two seasons with Peters the focal point of the offense. The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year, Peters gives first-year coach Matt Lottich a centerpiece other players can thrive around. The key — in Valpo's success and Peters impressing NBA scouts — is getting to the big stage, which is never easy in mid-major hoops. Green Bay stole the Crusaders' auto bid last season, so peaking in March should will be key.

Antonio Campbell, Ohio

Ohio center Antonio Campbell returns as the best player in the MAC.

This 6-9 big man is the reigning MAC Player of the Year and gives the Bobcats a legitimate shot to claim the league's auto bid. Should Ohio reach the NCAAs, Campbell is a force who can excel against bigs on Power Five teams. He's a double-double machine, averaging 17.1 points and 10.2 rebounds a game in 2015-16. Expect his senior campaign to be even better.

James Daniel, Howard 

Howard guard James Daniel returns as the most lethal scorer in the country.

The nation's top scorer last season, averaging 27.1 points a game, Howard obviously can fill it up and score at will. He makes the Bison favorites to win the MEAC and if he carries Howard to the Dance, he's got the takeover abilities to become a March star and spearhead a bracket-busting upset. Howard hasn't reached the NCAA tournament in 25 years and Daniel gives coach Kevin Nickelberry's team as good of a chance as there is.

Evan Bradds, Belmont

Belmont forward Evan Bradds could be a March star in steering the Bruins to NCAA tournament success.

Bradds is one of the most efficient players in the country, shooting a nation-leading 71% from the floor. The 6-7 forward actually has a better field-goal percentage than he does free-throw percentage (70%). Look for Bradds to thrive as a senior in which he'll have an even more pivotal role in longtime coach Rick Byrd's offense, as the Bruins try to get back to the NCAAs after getting upset by Austin Peay in dramatic fashion of the Ohio Valley tournament last season. Bradds nearly averaged a double-double in 2015-16, with17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds a game en route to claiming the OVC's player of the year award.

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