5. Belmont Bruins (9-1)
To replace the production of the graduating Amanze Egekeze, Belmont went the collective route. Led by All-Ohio Valley Conference forward Dylan Windler and his 19.2 ppg and 9.1 rpg, five Bruin starters all average double figures in scoring.
Even though Belmont doesn’t get the traditional blue-chip recruits, head coach Rick Byrd continues to display his ability to find diamonds in the rough, with three freshmen playing key roles on the team. Grayson Murphy averages 6.8 apg, ranking as one of the top freshman point guards in the country. Caleb Hollander and Nick Muszynski form an elite future frontcourt for the Bruins, combining to average 25.6 ppg and 15.1 rpg.
Belmont has as impressive a mid-major resume any team can boast, with two wins over Lipscomb along with wins over Western Kentucky and at UCLA. The Bruins already has four true road wins, with a possible fifth this Saturday at Purdue.
The Ohio Valley is a two-team race with Belmont and Murray State battling it out once again. Morant for the Racers is the best player from both teams, while the Bruins have the best roster overall. But even if they fail to make it back to the NCAA Tournament, Belmont has the pieces to continue their run as a 20+ win program that’ll compete for future conference titles. Regardless of who they lose, the Bruins should always be given the benefit of the doubt with Byrd at the helm.