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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VILLANOVA, PA – NOVEMBER 17: Alex Hunter #10, Clay Mounce #45, Jordan Lyons #23 and Jalen Slawson #20 of the Furman Paladins (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA – NOVEMBER 17: Alex Hunter #10, Clay Mounce #45, Jordan Lyons #23 and Jalen Slawson #20 of the Furman Paladins (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

10. Northern Iowa Panthers (20-3, 9-2 in Missouri Valley)

After a close loss on the road at second-place Southern Illinois, the Panthers has since won four straight games. One of them was in overtime against Loyola-Chicago, with four players scoring in double-figures for a hard-fought win. All five starters had at least 12 points in the 95-66 beatdown of Missouri State, led by 27 from AJ Green.

Northern Iowa still has an at-large resume but will have to win just about the rest of their games in the Missouri Valley. That includes revenge matchups against both Illinois State and Southern Illinois, while a road trip at Loyola-Chicago still looms.

9. Furman Paladins (19-5, 9-2 in SoCon)

It’s been an easy run for the Paladins, facing off against the bottom of the Southern Conference the last couple of weeks. Although no league game should be taken for granted, with Furman needing overtime to get over VMI at home a while ago.

The next couple of weeks features road contests against Western Carolina and Samford but the Paladins should be heavily favored. They’re tied in first place on top of the standings but will have to keep winning, as a trio of massive games towards the end of league play awaits Furman. Any slip-up will have major consequences in the hunt for the regular-season title.

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