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) /

25 of 27

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Neemias Queta #23 of the Utah State Aggies looks on against the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

3. Utah State Aggies

2018-19 season record: 28-7 (15-3 in Mountain West)

The Aggies lost arguably their best player the season prior when Koby McEwen left for Marquette. Yet under new head coach Craig Smith, the team was marginally better. Sam Merrill took over the as team leader and won Mountain West Player of the Year after averaging 20.9 ppg and 4.1 apg.

It also helped that Utah State found a hidden gem overseas in Portuguese big man Neemias Queta, who nearly averaged a double-double as a freshman. As good as Merrill is, the 6’11 center is why the Aggies are so high on this list, as the big man has NBA Draft lottery potential if he keeps improving.

The key for Utah State winning the Mountain West again will depend on how the role players produce, especially after losing both Quinn Taylor and Dwayne Brown Jr. to graduation. Rising sophomore Brock Miller is a great three-pointer shooter while Abel Porter can do it all when on the court.

The Aggies are a well-balanced unit on both ends of the court with a star in Merrill. While other teams in the Mountain West have been using the transfer market to get their talent, Coach Smith has done it the old-fashioned well of developing from within. It could pay off with another title and NCAA Tournament trip.

Home/Mid Major Conferences