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NCAA Basketball: 10 Preseason Mid-majors to watch for 2018-19

By Tristan Freeman

BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: The Gonzaga Bulldogs bench reacts during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: The Gonzaga Bulldogs bench reacts during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Head coach Ron Hunter of the Georgia State Panthers talks with D’Marcus Simonds
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Head coach Ron Hunter of the Georgia State Panthers talks with D’Marcus Simonds /

Georgia State Panthers

2017-18 results: 24-11 (12-6) – Round of 64

Key losses: Jordan Session (7.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg)

Key returnees: JR D’Marcus Simonds (21.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, and 4.4 apg) – SR Devin Mitchell (12.0 ppg) – SR Jeff Thomas (10.7 ppg) – SR Malik Benlevi (9.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg)

Key incoming players: FR Nelson Phillips (No. 173 ranked recruit) – JR Damon Wilson (0.8 ppg at Pittsburgh)

The biggest of news regarding the Sun Belt this off-season came just recently when the Conference’s Player of the Year D’Marcus Simonds announced that he’ll be returning for his junior season with the Panthers.

That makes Georgia State the favorite to win the Sun Belt next season, with the team’s top four scorers coming back, all being experienced upperclassmen.

The only concern with this teams for 2018-19 is that they’re really small. Their biggest projected starter will be just 6’7, and was already one of the worst rebounding teams a year ago. That will be a huge issue, along with the fact that they give up a lot of attempted three-pointers.

The saving grace of this team has and will be their defense, ranking in the top-50 in both scoring and efficiency. If that keeps up, coach Ron Hunter and Georgia State will be going back to the NCAA Tournament.

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