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270 College Hoops: Mid-Season Recap

By Greg Glasser, 01/25/24, 3:15PM EST

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A summary of the 270 alums at the D1 level halfway through the year

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- While our focus is at the high school level, we love to track and support our past players as they compete in the college ranks.

There are 30 players that graduated from our coverage territory that are on a Division I roster this year, many of which are having standout seasons.

Below, we recap how all those players have fared halfway through the season as they gear up for conference titles and a chance to play in the NCAA tournament.

Plus, we present our First and Second Team All Mid-Season selections. 

Editor's note: This list has been modified to include those that played their senior year at a local area high school. All stats are reflective of games played through January 21.

First Team All Mid-Season

Matt Allocco (Princeton / Senior / Hilliard Bradley 2020) The former Jaguar elevated his profile after he helped lead the Tigers to the Sweet 16 last season. Halfway through this year, it looks likely Allocco and the Tigers may go dancing once again. As one of the best players in the Ivy League, Allocco has led Princeton to a 15-1 record, is first in in assists (3.6), third in scoring (13.8) and impressive shooting, with 55% from the field, 89% from free throws and 49% beyond the arc. Allocco was a bonafide winner at Hilliard Bradley and he's carried that trait over to Princeton.

Philip Alston (Loyola Chicago / Senior / Westerville North 2019) After he spent the first half of his career at the Division II level, Alston has continued to be a force for the Ramblers. The former Warrior leads his team in points per game (14) and is tied second in rebounds (4.3). The Ramblers had a rough debut season in the A10, but Alston has been a big reason for their turnaround as they now sit a half game behind a three-way tie at the top of the league. 

Des Watson (Loyola Chicago / Junior / DeSales 2021) Watson joined the Ramblers in the offseason after he spent his first two years at Davidson. So far, it's fair to say the transfer has worked out for both Watson and Loyola. An every-game starter, Watson is right behind Alston in scoring (12.8) and tied with him for second in rebounds (4.3). Watson has made tremendous improvements as he currently holds career bests in nearly every statistical category. 

Javan Simmons (Toledo / Redshirt Freshman / Gahanna 2022) It may not be easy, but sometimes a redshirt can really lead to a long-term benefit. That's been the case so far for the former Lion, who sat out last year, but has been one of Toledo's most impactful players. A starter in every game, Simmons is averaging 11.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. The Rockets have consistently been one of the best MAC programs and this year is no different, as Toledo is currently tied second in the conference and just a game behind Akron.

Seth Towns (Grad Senior / Howard / Northland 2016) An OG 270 grad, Towns has had quite the collegiate journey. After stints at Harvard and Ohio State that were plagued with multiple injuries, Towns is playing his final season at Howard and his veteran experience has made a major difference for the Bison. He leads the team in rebounds (6.8), assists (2.5) and steals while second in scoring (15.2). Howard sits at 4th in the MEAC, but are well within reach to climb the conference standings.

Second Team All Mid-Season

Josh Corbin (Robert Morris / Senior / Gahanna 2019) The former Lion is in his second season with the Colonials after he spent the first three years at Winthrop. Corbin is scoring a career-best 13 points per game and leads his team in assists (3.2), free throw percentage (85.1%) and made threes (49). 

Dailyn Swain (Xavier / Freshman / Africentric 2023) The only true freshman to make the First or Second team list, the best player in Africentric history has shown he rightfully belongs at the high-major level. In the ultra-competitive Big East, Swain has appeared in every game. Although his numbers are relatively modest (4.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists) Swain has given the Musketeers much-needed depth and shown flashes as the two-way player we saw throughout his four dominating years with the Nubians. A couple highlights so far for Swain was scoring 10 points against Purdue and a go-ahead game winning dunk against Georgetown.

Sean Jones (Marquette / Sophomore / Gahanna 2022) A bittersweet selection, Jones was having a fantastic season for the Golden Eagles until he suffered a season-ending injury after he tore his ACL a couple weeks ago against Butler. It's a major blow for head coach Shaka Smart as Jones made a major impact off the bench and earned national praise as one of the country's best defenders at the guard level. Jones ends his season with an average of 5.8 points and 2 assists per game and we wish him a healthy and timely recovery in order for him to pick up where he left off come next season. 

Jalen Sullinger (Kent State / Junior / Thomas Worthington 2021) The former Cardinal has continued his breakout from last season well into his third year with the Golden Flashes. Sullinger leads his team in points (14.3), made three-pointers (39) and is second in assists (2.7). Sullinger and the Golden Flashes hope they can have a strong finish in conference play and earn a second straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Braden Norris (Loyola Chicago / Grad Senior / Hilliard Bradley 2018) That now makes three selections to our First and Second team lists of 270 hoopers that play for Loyola. Norris is the most experienced Rambler of them all and brings a composed, veteran presence as a four-year starter. Norris leads his team in assists (4.8), which ranks him top 60 in the nation, and shooting an insane 96.4% at the foul line and over 45% beyond the arc. Norris hopes to end his collegiate career with one final NCAA tournament birth, after he went dancing in 2021 and 2022.

Class of 2018

Jerome Hunter (Xavier / Senior / Pickerington North) Hunter became a fan favorite of the Musketeers after he finished last season playing the best basketball of his career, with notable performances in the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately for Hunter, a medical issue that arose over the summer has sidelined the former Panther for the entire season. The good news is that Hunter is slated to return for his final season of eligibility next year.

Tre Williams (Duquesne / Senior / Reynoldsburg) The former Raider is in his third and final season with the Dukes, after he spent the first two with Indiana State. Previously a four-year starter, a thumb injury has limited Williams this year, as he's only appeared in ten games and started three. He currently averages 3.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Garrett Tipton (Bellarmine / Senior / Bishop Hartley) In his final season with the Knights and his second straight as a starter, Tipton averages 10.4 points and 3 rebounds per game. He's also shot 88.9% on free throws and 40% on three attempts, with a team-high 42 triples.

Class of 2019

Ben Wight (Toledo / Redshirt Junior / Thomas Worthington) Wight is in his first season with the Rockets, after he spent the previous three years as a starter for William & Mary. Wight has seen a reduction in his minutes and output since he joined Toledo, but has started six games and averages over 11 minutes per game.

Javohn Garcia (McNeese / Junior / Pickerington Central) The former Tiger and regional champion is back in Division 1 after he spent the previous season at the College of Sequoias, a JUCO in California. Prior to that, he spent two seasons at UMass. So far, Garcia has been an excellent transfer addition for head coach Will Wade, as he has started every game, averages 10.2 points and has shot over 51% behind the arc. The Cowboys are having a fantastic season and are 16-2, first in the Southland and have serious hopes of making the NCAA tournament.

Jaidon Lipscomb (Florida International / Junior / Pickerington Central) Another Tiger from the 2019 regional title team, Lipscomb has had quite the journey that has led him to become a Division I player. After his time at Pickerington Central, Lipscomb did a prep year at Dohn Prep followed by a year at Louisiana State University Eunice and two years at Lakeland Community College. Kudos to Lipscomb's determination for fulfilling his dream of playing Division I college basketball and he's shown flashes that he certainly belongs. The former Tiger has started four games and averages 6.9 points per game, shooting 42.9% behind the arc.

Sam Towns (Bowling Green / Senior / Pickerington Central) After he spent his first two seasons at Ohio, Towns is in his second year with the Falcons. Unfortunately injuries have prevented him from seeing the floor much, as he has not played since December 2nd. Prior to being sidelined, Towns averaged 7.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Jay Rogers (Central Connecticut / Senior / Pickerington Central) Rodgers is in his second season with the Blue Devils, but also has been sidelined since December 9th. At the time, the former Tiger was averaging 5.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 23 minutes per game. 

Class of 2020

Sean Moore (Fairleigh Dickinson / Senior / Reynoldsburg) Moore and the Knights were one of the biggest stories from last year's NCAA tournament, after they upset #1 Purdue as a 16 seed and Moore was the team's top scorer. Now in his second and final season with the Knights, the former Raider is one of his team's best players. Moore leads his team in rebounds (7.7) and is second in scoring (12.3). The Knights may need some late-season magic to reach the tournament again, but if they do, Moore will be a big reason why.

VonCameron Davis (Kent State/ Redshirt Junior / Walnut Ridge) The former Mr. Ohio, Davis is having his best season yet with the Golden Flashes. The former Scot is third in team scoring (12.1) and rebounds (4.4), both career bests. Davis is a starter in more than half of his team's games and sees over 27 minutes per contest. 

Class of 2021

Keaton Norris (Wright State / Redshirt Sophomore / Hilliard Bradley) Norris is in his third season with the Raiders, but has elected to use a redshirt this year. The decision is due to a deep roster at the guard position and according to head coach Scott Nagy, was mostly Norris' choice.

Quincy Clark (Jacksonville State / Junior / Westerville Central) A crucial player that helped the Warhawks make their first ever state tournament, Clark is in his first year with Jacksonville State after he spent the previous two at Lipscomb. So far, it's been his best season yet, as he is first in assists (2.7), third in scoring (8.4) and averages over 24 minutes a game. 

Tasos Cook (Campbell / Junior / Westerville Central) Another key member for the Warhawks regional title team, Cook is back in Division I after he spent the previous season at Vincennes (JUCO) which followed his freshman year at Stetson. Cook's return to Division I has came with increased production, as he averages 4.4 points and over 17 minutes per game.

Tyrese Hughey (Furman / Junior / Thomas Worthington) The former Cardinal is in his third season with the Paladins and having the most productive season of his career. Hughey has started nearly every game, leads his team in rebounds (4.8) along with 5.9 points per game. The Paladins seek a second straight NCAA appearance, after they upset Virginia last year in the first round.

Class of 2022

Ajay Sheldon (Ohio / Sophomore / Dublin Coffman) The former Shamrock has started to break through for head coach Jeff Boals and has appeared in every game for the Bobcats. He averages 4.9 points per game and is shooting 53.8% behind the arc.

Amani Lyles (Akron / Sophomore / Beechcroft) In his second season with the Zips, Lyles is averaging 2.8 points and just under 7 minutes per game. The Zips currently are first and undefeated in the MAC.

Drey Carter (Wright State/ Redshirt Freshman / Westerville South) After he accepted a redshirt last season, Carter has appeared in every game for the Raiders and made an impact off the bench. The former Wildcat averages 5.5 points per game on over 61% shooting from the field and sees over 12 minutes per contest.

Class of 2023

Chase Walker (Illinois State / Freshman / St. Charles) Originally on track to redshirt, injuries on the Redbirds roster have allowed Walker to appear in their last four games. So far, he has averaged 7.8 minutes per game, along with 3 points and 2.3 rebounds.

Devin Royal (Ohio State / Freshman / Pickerington Central) The former state champion and Mr. Ohio has gradually worked his way through the Buckeyes rotation. Royal has shown continued improvement and averages 2.8 and 1.9 rebounds per game. His most recent performance against Penn State was one of his best, as he scored eight points on 3-of-3 shooting and two free throws. 

Ryan Nutter (Marshall / Freshman / Dublin Jerome) The first Division I scholarship player in Celtics history, Nutter's toughness has allowed him to receive quality playing time in his debut season. Nutter averages 12 minutes per game and has a solid 26 assist to 15 turnover ratio.

Walk-Ons

CJ Anthony (Cincinnati / Junior / Harvest Prep 2020)

Atticus Schuler (Dayton / Sophomore / DeSales 2022)

Quinn Corna (Ohio / Sophomore / Upper Arlington 2022)

Peyton Frey (Stony Brook / Freshman / Hilliard Davidson 2023)

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