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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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BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: The South Dakota State Jackrabbits bench reacts. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: The South Dakota State Jackrabbits bench reacts. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. South Dakota State Jackrabbits

2017-18 result: 28-7 (13-1 Summit), NCAA first-round appearance (No. 12 seed)

Is there a better mid-major player in the country than Mike Daum? The short answer is no. Now a rising senior, the “Dauminator” is practically unguardable with his size, versatility, and overall skill. He simply knows how to get it done on the basketball court. With Daum returning for his final season with the Jackrabbits, the program is looking to make its third consecutive appearance in the Big Dance.

Last season, the 6’9″ Daum averaged 23.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. His size allows him to body opponents and score in the paint almost at will at the mid-major level. However, what stands out with his game is his ability to stretch the floor. On 6.5 attempts per game, Daum shot 42.5% from three this past season. And to be clear, not even close to all of these shots were wide-open considering his status as the No. 1 player on the scouting report for SDSU.

What makes the Jackrabbits so dangerous, though, is that Daum is not alone. David Jenkins Jr., who was just a freshman last season, was a gamechanger for the team. He immediately stepped into the role as the secondary scoring option on the team and did not disappoint. Jenkins averaged 16.1 points per game last season and shot relatively efficiently from the floor alongside Daum.

Losing Reed Tellinghuisen (12.0 points, 4.8 assists) to graduation will need to be overcome but that’s where Tevin King, steps in. A junior last season, the 6’2″ guard averaged 9.1 points and 5.6 assists per game last season. While it would be beneficial if King became a better 3-point shooter (31.6% on 1.6 3PA per game), his playmaking abilities will go a long way in the starting lineup.

Lastly, deadeye shooter Skyler Flatten is also returning. Now entering his sixth collegiate season, Flatten averaged 6.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game a year ago. These numbers might not be spectacular, but his 49.1% shooting from three on 3.2 attempts per game certainly opened up the floor for his teammates. He is often the glue that holds the team together.

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