Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Top 25 mid-major teams through non-conference play

By Tristan Freeman

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack gestures to his team during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Invitational basketball tournament against the Massachusetts Minutemen at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada defeated Massachusetts 110-87. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack gestures to his team during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Invitational basketball tournament against the Massachusetts Minutemen at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada defeated Massachusetts 110-87. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 16: Tevin Glass #40 of the East Tennessee State Buccaneers reacts against the Florida Gators during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 16: Tevin Glass #40 of the East Tennessee State Buccaneers reacts against the Florida Gators during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

22. East Tennessee State Buccaneers (10-4)

Mid-major conferences such as the Mountain West, Atlantic 10, and WCC were expected to have multiple teams on this list without being a surprise. But one conference who managed to get four teams in the top-25 is the Southern, having one of it’s best seasons as a league possibly in history.

East Tennessee State had a dominant run last season, winning 24 total games (including 15 straight at one point). But they had to replace five of the team’s top six scorers, relying on a combination of both Junior College and D-I transfers to remain competitive. It’s worked tremendously for head coach Steve Forbes, with all of them playing a crucial role in the Buccaneers early success. It’s been a literal team effort, with everyone who gets minutes contributing with points, rebounds and assists.

Even though no one averages more than 12 ppg, Junior College transfer Jeromy Rodriguez has stood out among the others. The 6’7 forward leads the country in total rebounds (164) and is 4th nationally at 11.7 rpg. Rodriguez had his best game of the season against UT-Martin, producing 21 points and 16 rebounds in the win.

East Tennessee State continues to be a top-40 defensive unit, while still working on incorporating all the new pieces throughout this season. With only one season apart of the rotation, this program continues to be a force within the Southern Conference. But will it be enough to take out the top two teams in the league?

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