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: Jordan Ford #3 and Tommy Kuhse #12 of the Saint Mary’s Gaels walk off the court after being defeated by the Villanova Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. Villanova defeated Saint Mary’s 61-57. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4. Saint Mary’s Gaels

2018-19 season record: 22-12 (11-5 in WCC)

Even after losing WCC Player of the Year and 20-10 performer Jock Landale, Saint Mary’s still found a way to make the NCAA Tournament by pulling off a shocking upset over Gonzaga. It might not be an upset next year, with just about everyone returning from this team.

21 ppg scorer Jordan Ford will be back after a fantastic season and will be joined by Malik Fitts, who averaged 15.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg after transferring in from South Florida. Starting point guard Tommy Kuhse had a strong end to his sophomore campaign while 6’11 big man Matthias Tass has long-term potential.

The Gaels will lose starting center Jordan Hunter to graduation but will get back 7’3 center Aaron Menzies. The Seattle grad transfer misses all of last season with an injury but provides a legit scoring presence inside for Ford and Tanner Krebs to work off of. Glue guy forward Kyle Clark also should be back after being injured most of this past season. This Saint Mary’s team will not only have a star in Ford but the kind of depth that may overthrow Gonzaga – and not just for a game either next season.

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