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Mid-major Basketball power rankings: Dayton, Gonzaga and ETSU rises up

By Tristan Freeman

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs steals possession of the ball in the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena on February 01, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs steals possession of the ball in the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena on February 01, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Anthony Lamb #3 of the Vermont Catamounts (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Anthony Lamb #3 of the Vermont Catamounts (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

13. Vermont Catamounts (24-7, 14-2 in America East)

The Catamounts were a preseason mid-major basketball team to keep an eye on, thanks to the return of forward Anthony Lamb. He’s basically a lesser-known version of Obi Toppin at Dayton but is a great scorer in his own right. He was helped big-time by junior Stef Smith, second on the team with 14.1 ppg while tied for the lead with 2.7 apg.

The rest of the team has provided enough scoring for Vermont to win but it’s the defense that carries this team. Giving up under 60 ppg, the Catamounts are ranked in the top-10 nationally in scoring defense. They’ve been the clear dominant team in the America East this season, four games ahead of second-place Stony Brook.

Related Story. America East Tournament preview. light

But Vermont did lose to that Stony Brook squad at the very beginning of conference play, along with UMBC at home. The tournament will go through Vermont’s home floor but they have shown some vulnerability. But the Catamounts will be the heavy favorite and maybe the only team in this conference capable of winning a game in the NCAA Tournament. With a player as talented as Lamb, it’s certainly possible.

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