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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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 16: Head coach Steve Forbes (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 16: Head coach Steve Forbes (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

6. Rhode Island Rams (17-5, 9-1 in Atlantic 10)

As far as the question of “who is the second-best team in the A-10” goes, it’s become clear that Rhode Island has taken that spot. They’ve won nine straight, including a pair over VCU. They had some struggles against Tre Mitchell and UMass earlier this week but as long as Fatts Rusell continues to drop 20+ a night and Cyril Langevine pulls down double-doubles, the Rams are in position to win many games.

That includes two upcoming matchups against Dayton in the next month. Win just one of them and Rhode Island is guaranteed to go dancing. They just have to avoid losing to some of the bottom teams in the Atlantic 10 as well.

5. East Tennessee State Buccaneers (20-4, 9-2 in SoCon)

Last week was a very mixed bag for the Bucs. They suffered a bad loss at home to a Mercer team that is just 12-12 overall on the season. But the team did follow it up with a big 17-point win at home over UNC-Greensboro, led by 30 points from Tray Boyd III. The ladder game certainly has more consequences in the standings, with ETSU a game ahead of the Spartans at the top.

But if they have any hopes of staying on the bubble, they’ll have to win out before facing Furman on the 19th. That includes a rematch against Mercer this weekend, this time at their place. Get past them and they’ll be heavy favorites against both The Citadel and VMI, who are a combined 1-21 in conference play.

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