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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DAYTON, OH – FEBRUARY 11: Fatts Russell #1 of the Rhode Island Rams (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH – FEBRUARY 11: Fatts Russell #1 of the Rhode Island Rams (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

23. Rhode Island Rams (20-9, 12-5 Atlantic 10)

There was a point where Rhode Island won 10 straight games and was the clear-cut No. 2 team in the A-10. Since then though, the Rams have lost four of six, including a bad one to Davidson. With just wins over Fordham and Saint Joe’s in that stretch, they’ve put themselves in a position where they’ll have to at least make the finals to have a shot at an at-large bid.

Rhode Island still has to secure a spot in the top-4 and a double-bye in the conference tournament. They go on the road to a red-hot UMass squad and with a loss + a Saint Bonaventure win, they’ll have to play an extra game and essentially have to win the entire event to get in.

The recent run doesn’t take away from the overall success of the season, led by dynamic guard Fatts Russell (19.4 ppg) and forward Cyril Langevine, who’s one of a few players nationally to average a double-double. Could Russell go on an individual run to carry the Rams to the Big Dance? It’s unlikely but if Rhode Island doesn’t go on a run at all, the Atlantic 10 could end up being a one-bid league.

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