Busting Brackets
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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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Mar 15, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Florida Gulf Coast Eagles players huddle during the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights of the First Four of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Florida Gulf Coast Eagles players huddle during the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights of the First Four of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlantic Sun

Favorite: Florda Gulf Coast Eagles

FGCU took down one of last year’s darlings, North Florida, in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. The Eagles from Ft. Myers return their top three scorers from a year ago. This was a squad that pushed North Carolina for a half in the NCAA Tournament and could make another push with so much experience.

Marc-Eddy Norelia anchors the Gulf Coast attack. The power forward averaged 17.1 points, 9.3 boards and 1.1 steals per game last year, while shooting 54 percent from the field. Norelia also brings back 28 blocks, second best on the team.

Another year of development from eight returning contributors, plus former UCF point guard Brandon Goodwin (10.2 points, 4.2 assists), have the Eagles eager for a second straight NCAA Tournament birth.

Dark Horse: New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders

In the world of mid-majors, there can usually be only one dark horse. NJIT has the chance to be that one from a surprisingly competitive Atlantic Sun Conference. Just one major rotation piece left a program that went 8-6 and finished in a tie for third last season.

Point guard Damon Lynn has a shot to win conference POY after a stellar junior campaign. The New Jersey native filled the stat sheet to the tune of 18.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He needs to improve his total shooting efficiency (37 percent), but he is easily a favorite for First Team All-League.

Tim Coleman is another major threat in multiple categories.

The Highlanders have promise, but they need to find a third musketeer to be truly dangerous. An early candidate is junior Chris Jenkins and his 40 percent stroke from deep.

Next: Big Sky

Home/Mid Major Conferences