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The Top 10 Glue Guys in College Basketball

Everyone loves All-Americans and top flight NBA prospects, but there’s nothing like a great Glue Guy. 

Check out our list of 10 below.

In no particular order:

Justin Minaya, Providence: Ed Cooley recruited Minaya with the hope of finding someone who could guard the opponent’s top scorer. He wound up with one of the great intangible players in college basketball. A 6-7 forward, Minaya is an elite defender and tougher than a New England winter. He’s had a major hand in Providence’s dream season.

Caleb McConnell, Rutgers: McConnell told Steve Pikiell prior to the start of this season that his goal was to be the best defensive player in the Big Ten. He’s lived up to the billing. Most players who are defended by McConnell feel like they’ve been covered by an unfriendly blanket with spikes on the inside. He usually saves his best performances for the biggest games; McConnell held Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis to just 11 points in a win over the Badgers at the Kohl Center on Feb. 12th.

Mason Gillis, Purdue: The forgotten member of Purdue’s frontcourt, Gillis worked his way back into the Boilers’ starting lineup after beginning the season with a multi-game suspension. The 6-6 forward shoots a blistering 45.2 percent from three-point range and provides ample spacing for both Trevion Williams and Zach Edey in the low post. When there’s dirty work to be done up front in West Lafayette, this is the guy who does it.

Dalen Terry, Arizona: A true swiss-army knife, Terry has quietly filled the mortar in between the bricks during Arizona’s standout season. He entered Saturday’s game against Cal averaging 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 48.9 percent from the field. The most underrated thing about Terry? His ball security. The 6-7 sophomore currently has currently tallied 121 assists to just 42 turnovers.

Isaiah Whaley, UConn: The reigning Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Whaley is nicknamed “wrench” and for good reason. A true utility piece of Dan Hurley’s rotation, the 6-9 forward is an elite defender and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Whaley has also made 15 three-point shots this season after making eight during the first four years of his college career.

Tyler Wahl, Wisconsin: Brad Davison’s ascension offensively opened the door for somebody else to take care of Wisconsin’s intangibles. Wahl gladly obliged. A terrific help defender on defense, this 6-9 junior does many things on both sides of the floor that don’t show up in the box score. Wahl did not play when Michigan State won by 12 against Wisconsin in Madison on Jan. 21st.

Race Thompson, Indiana: For a long time, Thompson was simply viewed as Trayce Jackson-Davis’ sidekick. Now he’s known — as he should be — as one of the great role players in college basketball. The 6-8 Thompson has had 14 games this season with at least eight points and eight rebounds.

DeAndre Williams, Memphis: How valuable is Williams to Memphis? The Tigers are 31-10 with Williams in the lineup over the last two years and 4-7 when he is not. A transfer from Evansville, the versatile Williams brings everything together for Memphis, who’s trying to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Penny Hardaway.

Ikey Obiagu, Seton Hall: The anchor of Seton Hall’s defense, Obiagu can single handedly change a game with the way he protects the rim. It’s not just the shots that he blocks — it’s also the shots that he alters. The 7-2, 265 pound center has had 11 games this season with four or blocks. Obiagu’s offense has zero bearing on how he affects games for the Pirates.

Da’Monte Williams, Illinois: His overall statistics (4.1 points, five rebounds, 2.7 assists) may not be staggering, but folks inside Illinois’ program regularly refer to the 6-3 Williams as the Illini’s version of P.J. Tucker. The son of former Illinois star Frank Williams, Da’Monte Williams has been a calming influence during his fifth year in Champaign, often guarding the opponent’s top perimeter scorer and keeping things in flow on offense. This is the unsung presence amidst this program’s return to national relevance over the past few seasons.

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