Top 25 MAC Basketball Players: #22 Geovonie McKnight (G - Miami RedHawks)

What is there to say about Miami's rising senior Geovonie McKnight, who comes in at #22 in our top 25 MAC basketball players countdown? Well, here are some things.

1.) People used to think that Charlie Coles rode his favorite players too hard, that they were too tired at the end of the year, and that he ran them into the ground. Geo will be the test of that theory this season. During his first three years with the RedHawks, he has played in every single game. Every single game. For those of you keeping score at home, that's 94 games in 94 opportunities. He's on track to break the Miami ironman record this season, held by Julian Mavunga's 124 games over four years.

2.) McKnight is a steal machine. In three years, he's already at #10 on the Miami career steal list. He's on pace to match Miami Hall of Fame inductee Damon Frierson's 175 steals in a career, good enough for #2 on Miami's all-time list. (Ron Harper is #1 with a nigh-untouchable 287, if you're wondering.)

3.) Geo will be one of the leaders of Miami's most experienced team in years. The RedHawks will be led by three senior guards and three senior forwards, with Geo's four years in Oxford at the front of the pack, as he's the only one of those players who isn't a transfer. Charlie Coles recruited him from Middletown as a leader, John Cooper understands that he's a leader, and he's expected to fill that leadership role.

4.) And speaking of the late, great Charlie Coles, Geo was the sparkplug of last year's come-from-behind win against Ohio in the game where Miami retired Coles' jersey, making three baskets in a row that put the RedHawks up for good in the second half. He doesn't just steal, he assists and scores as well. McKnight is a legitimate contender for first-team all-MAC honors, and everyone who likes MAC basketball would be well served to keep an eye on him.