6.) Robbie Avila – Saint Louis
Though he’s battled some early season injuries and has only appeared six times during this 6-3 start for Saint Louis, Avila has been a force when healthy and is averaging 16.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 4.3 APG. Even amidst injury troubles Avila has scored double-digits in each game he’s played in, including 16 points, five boards and five assists in a loss to Santa Clara or 23 points to defeat UMass-Lowell. While the Billikens have players like Gibson Jimerson and Isaiah Swope to carry the load in his absence, undoubtedly Saint Louis is better with Avila on the floor.
5.) Jackie Johnson III – Fordham
Fordham has seen some major lows and significant highs in the first month of the season but with the Rams just barely above .500 at 6-5, any early season success has been due to Johnson. After stints at Duquesne and UNLV, Johnson is finally finding his footing in the Bronx and is averaging career-highs with 18.1 PPG, 2.9 APG and 1.5 STLPG while shooting 46%. Following a 23-point effort in a loss to St. John’s, it was Johnson leading a bounce back upset with 18 points, four assists, and the buzzer-beating bucket to knock off Seton Hall 57-56.
