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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ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 01: Luwane Pipkins #12 of the Providence Friars guards Colbey Ross #4 of the Pepperdine Waves (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 01: Luwane Pipkins #12 of the Providence Friars guards Colbey Ross #4 of the Pepperdine Waves (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

50. Pepperdine Waves

2019-20 record: 16-16 (8-8 in WCC)

If Pepperdine is going to finish in the top-4 of the WCC anytime soon, next season has to be it. They return Colbey Ross, one of the best point guards in the country, coming off his last game of 43 points against Saint Mary’s. The Waves won’t have Kameron Edwards but will have his younger brother Kessler, who averaged 13.6 ppg and 7.4 rpg last season. They’ll need role players to help out Ross and Edwards though to make a push.

49. Princeton Tigers

2019-20 record: 14-13 (9-5 in Ivy League)

The Ivy League lost plenty of individual talent this offseason but still has players like Jaelin Llewellyn, who led the Tigers with 15.3 ppg. Princeton returns almost everyone from last season’s roster, although big Richmond Aririguzoh will be hard to replace for them. After finishing third in the conference, another top-half placement should be expected for Princeton.

48. San Francisco Dons

2019-20 record: 22-12 (9-7 in WCC)

Had leading scorer Charles Minlend not decide to join Louisville as a grad transfer this offseason, the Dons would’ve been in the top-25 of this list. He and big man Jimbo Lull are huge losses for San Francisco to overcome but they still retain guards Jamaree Bouyea and Khalil Shabazz, along with adding Grand Canyon transfer guard Damari Milstead. If sophomore forward Josh Kunen can have a big year, the Dons will once again be a throne in the sides of the top WCC teams.

47. Boise State Broncos

2019-20 record: 20-12 (11-7 in Mountain West)

If leading scorer and All-Conference guard Derrick Alston decides to stay in the NBA Draft, the Broncos will have lost its top four scorers and six of eight overall. But Coach Leon has spent the last year in the transfer portal, landing Emmanuel Akot (Arizona), Marcus Shaver (Portland), Mladen Armus (ETSU) and Devonaire Doutrive (Arizona). If these players can collectively make a big impact next season, Boise State will be a threat in the Mountain West.

46. Delaware Blue Hens

2019-20 record: 22-11 (11-7 in Colonial Athletic Association)

The draft fate of All-CAA guard Nate Darling (21.0 ppg) hasn’t been decided yet but if he comes back, then Delaware will return their top five scorers from this past season. That includes Ryan Allen, Justyn Mutts and Kevin Anderson, who all averaged in double figures as well.

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