Busting Brackets
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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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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 20: Scottie James #31 of the Liberty Flames (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 20: Scottie James #31 of the Liberty Flames (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

12. Liberty Flames (29-4, 13-3 ASUN)

One of the last teams to be unbeaten in December, Liberty has been developing as a mid-major basketball program to be reckoned with, coming off last year’s big NCAA Tournament win over Mississippi State. It looked as if the Flamers would simply dominate the Atlantic Sun this season, but back-to-back defeats at North Florida and Stetson showed that they’re capable of being beaten.

But it was the loss at Lipscomb in the regular-season finale essentially made this a must-win tournament for Liberty, even if they have 29 total wins before Selection Sunday. Their best resume win is against Akron, which just isn’t going to cut it. The good news is that the Flames have made it to the Atlantic Sun Tournament finals, beating both NJIT and Stetson by close margins to meet Lipscomb in hopes of getting revenge.

ASUN Tournament preview. light. Related Story

This team is not great offensively, which has made a good number of games closer than expected. But only Virginia gives up fewer points per game on defense (53.7 ppg) and has a pair of All-Conference players in Caleb Homesley and Scottie James. If they can get by Lipscomb on Sunday, Liberty will be a 12 seed capable of another first-round upset win.

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