Busting Brackets
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Mid-major Basketball: Preseason Top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 1, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) dribbles while defended by Utah State Aggies forward Justin Bean (34) during the first half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Matt Mitchell (11) dribbles while defended by Utah State Aggies forward Justin Bean (34) during the first half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mid-major basketball Tre Mitchell David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable mentions (30-25)

30. Howard Bison

After winning just four total games last season, the Bison has a completely new roster, led by historic five-star freshman Makur Maker. Joining him in the HBCU movement was Purdue transfer Nojel Eastern. With double-digit scoring guard Wayne Bristol Jr. returning, there’s enough talent on this roster to propel Howard up the MEAC standards.

29. UMass Minutemen

The Atlantic 10 had by far the best mid-major player last season in Obi Toppin. The league might have another in Tre Mitchell, who averaged 17.7 ppg and 7.2 rpg as a freshman last season. With a healthy TJ Weeks back along with senior Carl Pierre providing leadership, UMass is going to have plenty of firepower on offense.

28. East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Had this been compiled at the beginning of the offseason, ETSU would’ve been in the top-5. However, head coach Steve Forbes leaving for Wake Forest created a chain reaction of outgoing transfers, along with Patrick Good opting out for the season due to health reasons. Don’t count them out of the SoCon just let, with transfers Ledarrius Brewer, Serrel Smith Jr., David Sloan, and Ty Brewer filling in the talent vacuum. Now, these pieces just need to gel together.

27. Bradley Braves

Although they lost two key players, Bradley does bring back star forward Elijah Childs to keep the frontcourt intact. They’ll be relying on transfers to bolster the backcourt, including UMass transfer Sean East, along with guards Terry Nolan Jr. and Kevin McAdoo. There are some heavy hitters on top of the Missouri Valley but the Braves have the pieces to be in contention.

26. Rhode Island Rams

Just missing the top-25 is Rhode Island, who returns one of the best pure scorers in the country in Fatts Russell. There were a number of departures this offseason but the team made up for it by adding many transfers of their own. That includes Maryland bigs Makhi and Makhel Mitchell, along with former Syracuse guard Jalen Carey and Towson guard Allen Betrand. If everyone can fit together, this will be a top-4 team in the A-10.

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