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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FULLERTON, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Tommy Amaker of the Harvard Crimson in the first half of the game against the Cal State Fullerton Titans at the Titan Gym on November 26, 2017 in Fullerton, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

10. Harvard Crimson

2018-19 season record:19-12 (10-4 in Ivy League)

Tommy Amaker is one of the best head coaches in college basketball and this past season was clear evidence of it. Despite not having the leading scorer from the season prior in Seth Towns all year due to injuries, the Crimson still managed to win the regular season Ivy League title.

That was thanks to junior Bryce Aiken, who upped his scoring average to 22.2 ppg on 40% three-point shooting. Chris Lewis stepped up down low while Towns was out, while freshman Noah Kirkwood was a revelation, averaging 11.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg. Juniors Justin Bassey and Christian Juzang also were valuable contributors.

Harvard will only lose one of the team’s 12 players who played double figures in minutes but essentially returns everyone else. That includes Towns and most likely Aiken, who did put his name into the NBA Draft and will undergo evaluation. Despite the overall talent, injuries have hampered the Crimson and their postseason aspirations.

IF they can remain relatively healthy, Harvard should be the heavy favorite and take this core group of players to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Next year is huge for this program with all the seniors that’ll be on the roster.

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