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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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Feb 12, 2016; Kingston, RI, USA; Rhode Island Rams guard Jarvis Garrett (1) dribbles the ball against the Dayton Flyers during the first half at Thomas M. Ryan Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Kingston, RI, USA; Rhode Island Rams guard Jarvis Garrett (1) dribbles the ball against the Dayton Flyers during the first half at Thomas M. Ryan Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlantic 10

Favorite: Rhode Island Rams 

The Rams are one of the most hyped mid-major teams this season. They are a top-25 club.

The reason for such love is most of the big pieces from last year are back. URI lost just two contributors from last season’s disappointing 17-15 (9-9 A-10) record.

Central to Rhode Island’s success is the return of E.C. Matthews from a knee injury. He averaged 16.9 points in 2014-15 and can do just about everything decently. Throw in Jared Terrell (13.6 points), Jarvis Garrett (12.5 points), Hassan Martin (12.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) and Kuran Iverson (9.8 points, 7.1 rebounds), and you have as deadly of a core as you’ll find in the mid major ranks.

Former Indiana guard Stanford Robinson also comes to Kingston, RI with Big Ten experience. The Rams could be a major threat when March rolls around.

Dark Horse: La Salle Explorers

The Explorers have done some serious asset acquisition over the past year. Newcomers from Syracuse, South Carolina and Memphis will all continue to be heavily featured on this Explorers’ roster.

The key to improving on last year’s last place finish is integrating the big new names with all five leading Explorers from last year. Teams in this position can go one of two ways. They can either struggle to share, or they gel right away and make a surprise run. I’m not sure which way La Salle will go, but their development could be among the more exciting this season.

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