Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Five teams that can emerge as mid-major powers

By Brock Zimmermann

March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves the ball against Saint Mary's Gaels center Jock Landale (34) and center Evan Fitzner (21) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves the ball against Saint Mary's Gaels center Jock Landale (34) and center Evan Fitzner (21) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Illinois State Redbirds guard Paris Lee (1) dribbles against TCU Horned Frogs guard Alex Robinson (25) during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Illinois State Redbirds guard Paris Lee (1) dribbles against TCU Horned Frogs guard Alex Robinson (25) during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Illinois State Redbirds

The Redbirds had a historic season and fell just short of the NCAA Tournament. With the departure of Wichita State from the MVC, the Redbirds can challenge for the top spot year-in-and-year-out. Dan Muller continues to prove that he can work with a variety of experience and uses a defensive minded approach to find success.

The Redbirds ranked in the top 25 in several defensive categories and are an extremely tough team. MiKyle McIntosh will likely depart from the program but Phil Fayne will return as a powerful scoring and rebound threat.

ISU has had plenty of transfer success and younger players will have chances to develop under coach Dan Muller. The departure of three seniors will hurt, but the Redbirds have proved they have a great player development staff. While the team hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament in since 1998, the MVC is wide open and Illinois State should be at the top of the conference.

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