NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early mid-major top-25 for 2019-20 season

NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early preseason mid-major top-25 for 2019-20 season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: The Utah State Aggies celebrate their victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

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HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 21: Robin Duncan #4 of the Vermont Catamounts looks on from the court near his brother Ernie Duncan #20 while playing the Florida State Seminoles during their first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

12. Vermont Catamounts

2018-19 season record: 27-7 (14-2 in America East)

It feels like Vermont just reloads at this point as they always compete at the top of the America East. Look for that to continue next year as they return the vast majority of the team’s production from this season.

Ernie Duncan, who averaged a career-high 13.8 ppg this season won’t be returning. However, his brothers, Everett and Robin Duncan will be coming back with bigger roles in the offense. So is Stef Smith, a double-digit scorer and good rebounder from the guard position.

But the key to the Catamounts is the return of rising senior Anthony Lamb, the reigning America East Player of the Year. He boosted his numbers to 21.2 ppg and 7.8 rpg on efficient shooting numbers, highlighted by a 42-point performance this season. With players such as Mike Daum, Chris Clemons, and Justin Wright-Foreman all graduated, Lamb can become that star mid-major player on a program know to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. He and the team nearly pulled it off in the Round of 64 against Florida State.

The Catamounts were one of the top defensive mid-major teams and will bring back those responsible for it. Don’t be surprised if this team go for 30 wins next year.

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