With conference play getting going, which Mid-Major Basketball teams are starting to separate themselves from each other? Here’s a look at where they stand in the latest power rankings.
It has been roughly a month since my last Mid-Major Basketball power rankings, and a lot has changed. There are only two NCAA Basketball teams left without a loss, with one of them being San Diego State. And with “buy” games now out the way, a number of programs are currently on winning streaks with the start of the new year.
Conference play has now started for just about everyone, with exception to the Ivy League. There have been some positive and negative surprises, while some of the projected favorites are creating separation. It has certainly had an effect on this updated ranking of the mid-majors, with several new inclusions. They come at the expense of programs such as UTEP, San Francisco, Buffalo and Rhode Island.
Through all games completed from January 8th, here is how I rank all the mid-major teams heading into this weekend
*All teams outside of the power conferences + Big East and American Athletic all eligible to be ranked.
25. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 13-3 (4-1 in Southland)
An early set of wins to start off Southland play had folks wondering whether or not the Lumberjacks could run the table. But a devastating loss to Texas A&M Corpus-Christie Wednesday night ended those hopes immediately. It also cut the talks of Stephen F. Austin of being an at-large contender, with the Duke win likely being offset by multiple league losses. But this team is still a heavy favorite to win the Southland and be a lower-seed that teams don’t want to see in the NCAA Tournament.