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

20. Colgate Raiders (24-8, 14-4 Patriot League)

After a 1-3 start to the season, Colgate has since won 23 of their last 28 games up to this point, including a conference regular-season title win. Outside of getting swept by Lafayette, they’ve been the clear-cut best team in this conference.

This is one of the most balanced teams in the country, with all five starters scoring in double figures. They’re led by junior guard Jordan Burns, who leads the team with 15.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg. Big man Rapolas Ivanauskas handles things inside, putting up 13.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg.

But with three other capable starters who can provide a scoring lift, the Raiders are fully capable of not only winning the conference tournament but also making a higher seed nervous in the NCAA Tournament, similar to what happened against Tennessee in the Round of 64 a year ago.

Colgate took care of business against Lehigh in the quarterfinals but now has to deal with nemesis Lafayette, who dispatched Army on Thursday. That game is on Sunday and the winner takes on either Bucknell or Boston University. The Raiders should be viewed as the favorites but have plenty of tough competition left before they can claim a bid. 1644 words