Busting Brackets
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Mid-major Basketball power rankings: Gonzaga, Dayton and VCU on top

By Tristan Freeman

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 08: Gonzaga Bulldogs players celebrate at half court after defeating the Washington Huskies 83-76 at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on December 8, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mike Tedesco/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 08: Gonzaga Bulldogs players celebrate at half court after defeating the Washington Huskies 83-76 at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on December 8, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mike Tedesco/Getty Images) /
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Mid-major basketball
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 09: The George Mason Patriots (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Out of the hundreds of Mid-major Basketball teams, which ones have underperformed and who has overachieved in the first month of the season?

Coming into the 2019-20 NCAA Basketball season, there were numerous teams from the Mid-major Basketball who had high expectations. Four of them (Gonzaga, Utah State, Saint Mary’s and VCU) were ranked in the top-25 AP preseason poll, while Davidson, Harvard, Vermont, Liberty, Colgate, and Dayton also received votes.

Through the first month of this season, some mid-major basketball programs have done better than others. Those who were ranked have been as advertised, while others have struggled out the gate. Teams such as Davidson, Loyola-Chicago, Grand Canyon and others are off the bad starts and have already put themselves in a position where they need an automatic bid to make the NCAA Tournament.

With nearly around 10 games around each team’s resume, I’ll be providing a new ranking of the top-25 mid-major teams. It’ll be based on who they’ve played and beaten and not just be record alone. The teams eligible are from all conferences outside of the power-5, Big East and AAC and include those from the A-10, WCC, and Mountain West. That also involves any program inside of those leagues regardless of their personal prestige.

*Rankings compiled from results through Dec. 11

25. George Mason (10-1)

The first of several Atlantic 10 teams on this list, the Patriots have arguably been the biggest surprise so far from the conference. Despite losing two of their leading scorers a year ago, the returning players for George Mason have all elevated their play. Javon Greene, Jamal Hartwell II, Jordan Miller, and AJ Miller are all averaging double figures. Meanwhile, Justin Kier, the team’s leading scorer last season is just getting into the rotation after missing the first month of this season.

The Patriots won the Cayman Islands Classic after wins over New Mexico State and Nebraska and have just a loss on the road at Maryland on their resume so far. We’ll have to wait until they face off against Dayton and VCU to see if there is NCAA Tournament potential but so far, George Mason should be happy where they’re at.

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