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NCAA Basketball: Who might be the best mid-major teams in 2018-19?

By Lukas Harkins

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 18: The Marshall Thundering Herd bench cheers. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 18: The Marshall Thundering Herd bench cheers. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3. Marshall Thundering Herd

2017-18 result: 25-11 (12-6 CUSA), NCAA second-round appearance (No. 12 seed)

Fine, you got me. I love scoring. In similar fashion to Buffalo, Marshall secured victories last season due to their explosive offense. They averaged 83.8 points per game as a team, which ranked No. 10 in the country. This high-octane offense that attempted the fifth-most 3-pointers in the country (1012 in total) was the biggest reason why the Thundering Herd were able to upend opponents in the CUSA and NCAA Tournaments.

Leading the way in 2018-19 will be Marshall’s elite returning scorers. At the forefront of this will be Jon Elmore and C.J. Burks. Both of these rising seniors averaged over 20 points per game last season and were nearly impossible to stop. Both were above 35% shooters from beyond the arc and Elmore specifically was the catalyst of the offense at all times (6.8 assists per game).

As great as their offense was, Marshall’s defense has plenty of room for improvement heading into 2018-19. It will be this side of the ball that could determine whether or not they even need to win their conference tournament to make the Big Dance next season. Last season, the team gave up 79.1 points per game, a mark that ranked 26th-worst in the country. KenPom also listed their adjusted defensive efficiency at No. 126 nationally.

Yet, If all goes according to plan on both ends and obvious improvements are made, there is no reason why Marshall cannot be an at-large team next season. They play in one of the strongest mid-major conferences and have the public’s approval given their fun style of play on the court. The popular doesn’t always make a difference in Bracketology but it is hard to ignore when setting up a projected bracket.

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