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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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 11: Don MuepoKelly #25 of the South Alabama Jaguars drives to the basket against the UNLV Rebels during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 11, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. South Alabama won 76-68. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

11. South Alabama Jaguars

2018-19 season record: 17-17 (8-10 in Sun Belt)

Since winning 20+ games four straight times between 2005-2009, South Alabama has been trending towards the bottom in the Sun Belt. New head coach Richie Riley has gone through the transfer market to bring back talent – with a high chance of it paying off next season.

There are four transfers who had to sit out this past year but will be able to play in 2019-20. Don Coleman is the most known player, putting up 14.2 ppg in 2018 at Cal. Joining him is 6’3 guard Andre Fox (15.7 ppg at High Point), and forwards Tashombe Riley (11.4 ppg at South Carolina State) and Josh Ayeni (5.3 ppg at St. Bonaventure). Ayeni, who will be a rising junior, is the only non-senior transfer coming in for the Jaguars.

There are still returning players that have been quality performers for South Alabama. Josh Ajayi is coming off a 16.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg campaign while second-leading scorer and top rebounder Trhae Mitchell also is coming back for his senior season. On the guard line, Herb Magee averaged 10 ppg while shooting 38% from deep.

Including the transfers and returning players, South Alabama will have six seniors in their projected regular rotation. That makes this next season already crucial for the Jaguars to move the needle, or else future transfers might not want to come over. But the team should have enough scoring to make a run at the top in the Sun Belt.

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