Busting Brackets
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Mid-major Basketball power rankings: Rhode Island, New Mexico State make moves

By Tristan Freeman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: The Harvard Crimson huddles during the first half of the Men's Ivy League Championship Tournament at The Palestra on March 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: The Harvard Crimson huddles during the first half of the Men's Ivy League Championship Tournament at The Palestra on March 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 12: Head coach Randy Bennett of the Saint Mary’s Gaels (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 12: Head coach Randy Bennett of the Saint Mary’s Gaels (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

8. VCU Rams (17-6, 7-3 in Atlantic 10)

Similar to their style of play at times, it has been a rather uneventful first half of conference play for VCU. They’ve beaten everyone they were favored against, including over Davidson on Friday night. The Rams also have lost to Dayton and twice at Rhode Island. That has them squarely on the bubble with a lack of movement either way.

The unbalanced schedule for VCU this season is both a blessing and a curse, in that with it being easier than others they can just about guarantee themselves with a double-bye as a top-4 seed. But they miss out on some potential resume-builders and have to avoid losing to those at the bottom. The return home game against Dayton on the 18th will have massive implications.

7. Saint Mary’s Gaels (20-5, 7-3 in WCC)

Close games have been a regular occurrence for Saint Mary’s, being on both sides of it in the past couple of games. They had an eight-point lead against BYU but Malik Fitts, who had 29 points in the game, fouling out played a part in the collapse and eventual 81-79 defeat. They nearly fell on the road this week at San Diego, shooting just 1-15 from deep despite being No. 2 nationally in that department.

The good news is that the Gaels held on to a six-point win over the Toreros and now can focus their attention on No. 2 Gonzaga. Saint Mary’s was the last WCC team to beat the Bulldogs, upsetting them in the conference title game a year ago to make the NCAA Tournament. Depending on what happens the rest of the way, the Gaels may need another victory over the league juggernauts to go dancing this time as well.

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