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

3. San Diego State Aztecs (30-1, 17-1 Mountain West)

It took 27 games for San Diego State to finally experience a loss, falling to UNLV at home a couple of weeks ago. They haven’t looked the same since, with close games against Colorado State, Nevada and Air Force. That still doesn’t mean that this isn’t a legit national title contender who can easily make a Final Four run. They’re still a projected 1 seed in the East Region and is a loss from Gonzaga from being in the preferred West Region.

Malachi Flynn was rightly given the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year after his incredible campaign. The guard also was given Defensive Player of the Year as well, although his backcourt mate KJ Feagin may have had a case of his own to claim the award. But maybe the most important personnel news is that big man Nathan Mensah is close to returning for San Diego State. The 6’10 big man was the team’s leading rebounder and best interior defender before the injury and will be needed in the Big Dance against some of the best frontcourts in the country.

But first, they’ll have to get through the frontcourt of Neemias Queta and Justin Bean of Utah State, who the Aztecs will see in the tournament finals on Saturday for the first automatic bid. Between a guaranteed spot in the Big Dance and remaining on the 1 seed line, there’s a ton at stake for San Diego State this weekend.