Busting Brackets
Fansided

Mid-major Basketball: Way-too-early top-50 power rankings for 2020-21

By Tristan Freeman

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Fans of San Diego State Aztecs cheer during the first half of a game against the New Mexico Lobos at Viejas Arena on February 11, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Fans of San Diego State Aztecs cheer during the first half of a game against the New Mexico Lobos at Viejas Arena on February 11, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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FAIRFAX, VA – MARCH 04: Jordan Goodwin #0 of the Saint Louis Billikens (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
FAIRFAX, VA – MARCH 04: Jordan Goodwin #0 of the Saint Louis Billikens (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

6. Saint Louis Billikens

2019-20 record: 23-8 (12-6 in Atlantic 10)

A productive campaign last season creates the highest preseason expectations for the program since making the NCAA Tournament three years straight from 2012-14. With the exception of guard Tay Weaver, the Billikens return everyone else for next year, while getting back freshman playmaker Gibson Jimerson, who was averaging double figures in 10 games before suffering a season-ending injury.

Jordan Goodwin (15.5 ppg and 10.4 rpg) will be a preseason favorite to win A-10 Player of the Year, while Yuri Collins showed himself to be more than a capable point guard after dishing out 5.5 apg as a freshman. Javonte Perkins put up 15 ppg while forward Hasahn French also averaged over a double-double. And considering that they can’t get any worse than being the worst free throw shooting team from last season, Saint Louis will get even better in 2020-21 and look to win the regular-season title.

5. San Diego State Aztecs

2019-20 record: 30-2 (17-1)

With the news that Mountain West Player of the Year and All-American Malachi Flynn is staying in the NBA Draft, the Aztecs likely won’t be ranked to start the season. Not only is he gone but KJ Feagin and Yanni Wetzel both graduated, along with big man Joel Mensah transferring out. The good news for the team is that they landed a top-scoring grad transfer option in Terrell Gomez, who averaged around 20 ppg at Cal State Northridge.

San Diego State will still have a strong overall starting lineup for 2020-21, with Nathan Mensah, Matt Mitchell, and Jordan Schakel all returning, along with incoming three-star wing Che Evans. They’ll need to fill out the rotation and add depth but look out for Mitchell erupting as a Conference Player of the Year candidate.

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