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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 11: The Harvard Crimson (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 11: The Harvard Crimson (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

21. Rhode Island (6-3)

One of the biggest individual transformations this season so far has been from Rams guard Fatts Russell. He averaged 14 ppg a year ago but was very inefficient. This season, the 5’10 guard is putting up 21.4 ppg and 5.2 apg on 47% shooting, including seven straight games of at least 20 points. He along with seniors Jeff Dowtin and Cyril Langevine (averaging a double-double at the moment) have carried Rhode Island to wins over Alabama and Providence, although both programs have been struggling.

The question going forward is how long can Russell keep these blazing scoring performances up? And does Rhode Island need him to average 20 a game in order to be an A-10 contender? They have a tough opening schedule in conference play who’ll be determined to stop the guard from destroying them. Let’s see how the Rams respond.

20. Harvard (6-4)

It’s hard to judge this team because of up to this point, they’ve never been fully healthy so far. Seth Towns hasn’t played since winning the Ivy League Player of the Year Award and has yet to suit up this season thanks to a serious knee injury. Bryce Aiken (18.2 ppg) has tried to carry the team through a brutal non-conference terrain but even he has missed half of the game so far.

On the positive side, the great recruiting in recent years by Tommy Amaker has created the depth for the Crimson to remain competitive. They nearly took out top-10 Maryland and has beaten Texas A&M and Siena. While Yale has been impressive, the Ivy League on paper still goes through Harvard… whether Towns plays this year at all.

19. Bowling Green (7-2)

The early favorite for MAC Player of the Year is Justin Turner, who through six games is averaging 19.0 ppg, 5.8 reb, and 4.2 apg and was instrumental in wins over Western Kentucky and Wisconsin. However, a hamstring injury in the Paradise Jam Tournament has kept him out since.

Others have stepped up, primarily guard Dylan Frye. He scored a career-high 30 points in a win over Dartmouth and has become a legit second-option offensively for the Falcons. Once Turner comes back ready to go, he and Bowling Green can make a real run going forward.

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