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NCAA Basketball: 8 things to watch for in 2019-20 season

By Brian Rauf

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: Marcus Evans #2 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams reacts against the UCF Knights in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: Marcus Evans #2 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams reacts against the UCF Knights in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2) Year of the mid-major?

That lack of a true top tier and the flaws of the country’s top teams has coincided with a strong year for mid-major programs (and it’s not just Gonzaga). Five non-Power 6 programs were ranked in the AP preseason poll while eight more received votes.

Because of this, I expect to see a few more mid-major programs ranked much higher than you’d see during a normal season.

Gonzaga is Gonzaga – you know they’re going to be good, especially with their frontcourt. Utah State and Saint Mary’s were NCAA Tournament teams a season ago and return almost all of their respective rosters.

The same goes for VCU, who I actually think may end up being the best true mid-major in the country thanks to their defense. The Rams headline a strong year for the Atlantic 10, a conference that should get three teams (VCU, Davidson, Dayton) into the tournament.

I also think we’ll see Harvard ranked for most of what could be a breakout season for the Crimson.

The mid-major ranks are filled with a ton of depth this year, and all those top programs have the experience and skill to challenge anyone from the major conferences.

If there was ever a season that was ripe for a few mid-majors earning high seeds and making long NCAA Tournament runs, this is it.

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