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NCAA Basketball: The mid-major favorites and darkhorses

By Doug Winkey

Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; View of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders shirts worn during warm-ups prior to the game in the second round against the Syracuse Orange of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; View of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders shirts worn during warm-ups prior to the game in the second round against the Syracuse Orange of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Monmouth Hawks guard Justin Robinson (12) is congratulated by teammates as he gets fouled with less then four seconds left during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Monmouth beat Notre Dame 70-68. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Monmouth Hawks guard Justin Robinson (12) is congratulated by teammates as he gets fouled with less then four seconds left during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Monmouth beat Notre Dame 70-68. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

MAAC

Favorite: Monmouth Hawks

Diminutive guard Justin Robinson and his terrific stat line have returned for one final season. The electric guard did everything for the Hawks last year as he scored 19.3 points, 3.8 boards, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He is tiny at just 5’8″, but Robinson might be the best mid-major point guard in all of college basketball.

More from Mid Major Conferences

Aside from the electric senior, all but one player in last season’s eight-man rotation is back for another crack at the NCAA Tournament.

Last year’s Hawks were in the top-150 in adjusted offense and top-70 for defense and tempo. The wealth of talent at coach King Rice’s disposal makes it hard to imagine this team struggling too much. I’d even consider Monmouth an at-large bid contender if things get crazy this spring.

Dark Horse: Manhattan Jaspers

Three double-figure scorers returned in Manhattan and that means that coach Steve Masiello is a threat to contend once again. The sixth-year coach struggled last season, but this could be a much different story if several new pieces gel with the returning guys.

Leading the way are Rich Williams, Zane Waterman and Calvin Crawford. Those three might be the most productive front court trio in the MAAC, as all three averaged nearly five rebounds or more an evening last season.

Senior point guard Tyler Wilson dished 161 assists a year ago, but more scoring is needed in the back court. That could come in the form of Ball State transfer Zavier Turner. The former Cardinal averaged 8.7 points per game, but will need to shoot much better than 32 percent from deep if he is to really help the Jaspers challenge Iona, Monmouth and others at the top of the league.

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