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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 29, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Jackson State Tigers guard Paris Collins (5) holds the ball away from Marquette Golden Eagles guard Duane Wilson (1) during the first half at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Jackson State Tigers guard Paris Collins (5) holds the ball away from Marquette Golden Eagles guard Duane Wilson (1) during the first half at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

SWAC

Favorite: Jackson State Tigers

Jackson State did lose top player Raeford Worsham to graduation, but plenty of talented pieces are in place for the Tigers. Four of their top five scorers from last year have head coach Wayne Brent eyeing another postseason birth after reaching the CIT in 2015-16.

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Guards Chace Franklin and Paris Collins combined for just over 25 points and 11 boards a night last year. They were also excellent defenders as they each averaged more than one steal per contest.

Point guard Yettra Specks and deep reserve Dontaveon Robinson will also contribute on the perimeter.

The front court has the talent to compete with bigs Treshawn Bolden and Janarius Middleton acting as anchors near the hoop. The SWAC has some other competitors, but JSU might reach their first NCAA Tournament since 2007 with their core of talent.

Dark Horse: Prairie View A&M Panthers

The Panthers went just 7-24 last year, but six of those wins came after assistant Byron Smith was promoted. PVAM is a veteran squad that won’t blow anyone away, but looks like the type of team to outwork opponents.

Senior center Admassu Williams is the leading returning scorer and rebounder at 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds. He has help in the form of guards Zachary Hamilton, James Westbrook, Tevin Bellinger and Ja’Donta Blakley. Jacoby Green will also factor in after missing last season with a back injury.

The final pieces of the puzzle could be reserve guard Avery Lomax, UNLV transfer Daquon Cook and junior college enforcer JD Wallace. They are options abound for a team looking to threaten the SWAC powers.

Next: Summit League

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