Mid-major Basketball power rankings: Gonzaga, SDSU and Dayton dominates

6. VCU Rams

2019-20 record: 14-5 (4-2 in Atlantic 10)

After back-to-back losses to Dayton and Rhode Island, the Rams seem to have gotten back on track. They handled St. Bonaventure without issue and held St. Joe’s leading scorer Ryan Daly to just eight points on 2/12 shooting in a 13-point road win. The Rams got some needed bunch production from sophomore guard KeShawn Curry, who’ll be needed if Marcus Evans continues to be affected by injuries.

5. BYU Cougars

2019-20 record: 15-6 (4-2 in WCC)

Yoeli Childs has been out for the last few games thanks to a finger injury. They lost road games at both Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga during the stretch, leaving the Cougars still in bubble territory. But TJ Haws, Jake Toolson and the rest of the cast have held serve against the rest of the WCC until Childs return on Thursday. Against Pacific on the road, Childs (26 points) and Toolson (28 points) carried BYU to a big second-half run and eventually the victory. Long as they beat everyone not named Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s the rest of the way, the Cougars will be back to the NCAA Tournament.

4. East Tennessee State Buccaneers

2019-20 record: 17-3 (6-1 in SoCon)

It’s going to be a battle between the top four teams in the SoCon for the next month. But the Buccaneers have positioned themselves as the favorites, currently on a four-game win streak. The offense has gone to another level lately, scoring 88 and 85 points respectively in the last two contests. East Tennessee State’s defense already is the best in the league. So if the offense continues to do well, not sure what the other teams will be able to do with the Bucs.