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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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Neemias Queta #23 of the Utah State Aggies (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Neemias Queta #23 of the Utah State Aggies (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

30. UNLV Runnin Rebels

2019-20 record: 17-15 (12-6)

Amauri Hardy and Donnie Tillman were among multiple transfers for the Rebels this offseason. But they still bring back leading scorer Bryce Hamilton, while getting David Jenkins, who averaged nearly 20 ppg at South Dakota State back from sitting out a year. Big man Cheikh Mbacke Diong will be the key for UNLV and their push up the conference ladder inside, along with a quartet of three-star commits joining the rotation.

29. Buffalo Bulls

2019-20 record: 20-12 (11-7 in MAC)

Of the five starters who all averaged double figures in scoring, the Bulls lose two of them. But three return, including leading scorer and All-MAC guard Jayvon Graves. Texas Tech transfer Josh Mballa put up numbers (10.8 ppg and 9.6 rpg) last season, while Jeenathan Williams looks every bit of the four-star prospect that former head coach Nate Oats left behind. A big year from guard Ronaldo Segu would put Buffalo back in the picture for top MAC team.

28. Vermont Catamounts

2019-20 record: 26-7 (14-2 in America East)

Two-time Conference Player of the Year Anthony Lamb has finally stopped tormenting opposing America East players but Vermont will have to find a way to collectively replace that kind of epic production. Ryan Davis and Ben Shungu will be the lead frontcourt assets, while Stef Smith (14.2 ppg) is a POY candidate for next year. The addition of Northeastern grad transfer Tomas Murphy should be of benefit as well.

27. Utah State Aggies

2019-20 record: 26-8 (12-6 in Mountain West)

There’s no Sam Merrill around, which is devastating for any program. But the Aggies got great news with center Neemias Queta set to return for his junior year. He and Justin Bean (11.9 ppg and 10.5 rpg) will form the best backcourt in all of Mountain West next season. Utah State will need guards Alphonso Anderson and Brock Miller to have big years, along with Virginia transfer Marco Anthony. Perimeter production will determine the ceiling for this team next season.

26. North Texas Mean Green

2019-20 record: 20-11 (14-4 in Conference USA)

Losing guard Umoja Gibson to the transfer portal hurts but the Mean Green still has star guard Javion Hamlet, who led the team this past season with 14.6 ppg and 4.7 apg. Forwards Zachary Simmons and Thomas Bell will lead the frontcourt, while JUCO newcomers Terence Lewis II and Mardrez McBride will play a part of North Texas rotation and provide their own production.

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