Mid-major Basketball power rankings: SDSU, BYU and Richmond move up

Mid-major Basketball power rankings: SDSU, BYU and Richmond make gains

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 28: Matt Mitchell #11 and KJ Feagin #10 of the San Diego State Aztecs gesture to fans as they celebrate their 83-52 victory over the Creighton Bluejays during the 2019 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 28, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 27: The BYU Cougars bench celebrates (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

6. Furman Paladins 14-3 (4-0 in Southern)

The SoCon once again is among the top mid-major conferences in NCAA Basketball, with several teams looking capable of winning a game in the Big Dance. Furman, however, has separated themselves from the pack, thanks to a perfect start in league play. That includes a massive home win over East Tennessee State last weekend. If the Paladins keep this up, Jordan Lyons (17.4 ppg) will be the runaway favorite to win SoCon Player of the Year.

5. BYU Cougars 12-4 (1-0 in WCC)

Riding a six-game win streak after the Utah letdown, the Cougars have looked great since the return of Yoeli Childs. Averaging over 20 ppg and 10 rpg in seven games, the senior forward combined with the surrounding three-point shooting has been too much for opponents to overcome. That includes a trio of Mountain West schools (UNLV, Utah State and Nevada) and Loyola Marymount, who managed just 38 points in the WCC opener. A contest against Saint Mary’s on Thursday will determine who likely finishes second in the conference.

4. VCU Rams 12-3 (2-0 in Atlantic 10)

As long as the Rams continue to win the games they’re supposed to, they’ll make the NCAA Tournament. And that’s what they’ve been doing, beating both George Mason and Fordham to open A-10 play. The more intriguing storyline was the recent benching of Marcus Evans for freshman Nah’Shon Hyland from the last game. But if forward Marcus Santos-Silva can continue putting up 26 and 12 like he did against the Patriots, VCU will have just enough offense to contend in the conference.

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