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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
Mid-major Basketball BYU Cougars (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

7. BYU Cougars

The Cougars had three All-WCC players last season in TJ Haws, Jake Toolson and Yoeli Childs, who averaged 22.2 ppg and 9.0 rpg. Each played a huge part in the team’s big past season, including getting ranked and beating No. 2 Gonzaga at home in a highly publicized battle.

All three graduated, leaving this version of BYU Basketball looking different. However, the depth they have may make them just as formidable. Senior guard Alex Barcello returns, after shooting 49% from three-point range, and a whopping 56% in WCC play. Connor Harding is a do-it-all wing, while both Kolby Lee and Gavin Baxter adds to heavy depth in the frontcourt.

"Mark Pope has done a really good job patchworking a competitive roster together in season two, after losing a lot from his inaugural season. Pope, however, doesn’t see it as a rebuild but instead reload. They aren’t getting Gonzaga talent yet, but it looks like there is a path to the Cougars being one of the top Mid-Majors in the country year in and year out. – Drew Schmelzer (@DrewSchmelzer)"

There are a number of transfers Coach Mark Pope brought to Provo, including Purdue grad transfer Matt Haarms. The 7’3 center is one of the best defenders in college basketball and should be a factor in the WCC. Another grad transfer to watch is Brandon Averette, a double-digit and fast scoring guard from Utah Valley.

Speaking of the Wolverines, Coach Pope also has a couple of bigs eligible after sitting out last season. Richard Harward is a 6’11 and 260-pound natural center, while Wyatt Lowell is a sharpshooting power forward that can spread the floor.

Add three-star forward and former Utah commit Caleb Lohner and JUCO commits Gideon George and Spencer Johnson, the Cougars have some of the most impressive depth. Now if they can get 1-2 of them to become stars, they’ll be a threat to Gonzaga at the top of the WCC.

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