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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 11, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Chattanooga Mocs head coach Matt McCall reacts during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Chattanooga won 82-69. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Chattanooga Mocs head coach Matt McCall reacts during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Chattanooga won 82-69. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Southern Conference

Favorite: Chattanooga Mocs

The Mocs will have stiff competition from East Tennessee State and Furman, but returning 67 percent of the team’s points have Chattanooga as the clear favorites to repeat as SoCon champs. Coach Matt McCall should feel very optimistic about his team after defeating Tennessee in the team’s opening game.

Three double-figure scorers lead the Mocs into SoCon play this year. Tre’ McLean, Casey Jones and Justin Tuoyo are just three of the six returning guys to receive double-digit minutes last season. Chattanooga really has no holes anywhere that make them easy to beat. A few questions could center around the team’s depth, but sophomore Peyton Woods was an all-state player in Kentucky and shot 47 percent from deep in limited minutes a season ago.

Dark Horse: Wofford Terriers

Wofford hasn’t finished worse than third in seven straight seasons under head coach Mike Young. The top of the league is going to be hard to dethrone, but the Terriers have one of the league’s best young players in shooting guard Fletcher Magee. Plenty of bench players and six freshman flank the sophomore for what could be a fun season.

Senior power forward Ryan Sawvell could be the most improved player this year. The 6’8″ senior averaged just 5.0 points and 3.6 boards, but is the most efficient returning scorer at 59 percent shooting from the floor. He’ll have plenty of opportunities as the most experienced big man on the roster. Of the six freshman, I like Justin Tucker and Nathan Hoover to add depth and firepower.

The Terriers have made four NCAA Tournaments in the past seven years. They will challenge Chattanooga for Southern Conference accolades.

Next: Southland Conference

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