NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top-25 mid-major rankings for 2021-22

NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top-25 mid-major rankings for 2021-22 season

Jan 4, 2021; San Diego, CA, USA; Colorado State Rams forward James Moors (10) is congratulated by guard Isaiah Rivera (23) and guard David Roddy (21) against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Iona College men’s basketball head coach Rick Pitino NCAA Basketball Iona Vs Morgan State /

8. Iona Gaels

2020-21 season record: 12-6 (6-3)

Head coach Rick Pitino made his mark in his first season at Iona, navigating a brutal first two months of pauses and canceled games to dominate the MAAC Tournament as a 9 seed and scaring Alabama in the Big Dance. He did great work with a MAAC-caliber roster but now he gets to work with some power conference talent.

To replace leading scorers Isaiah Ross and Asante Gist, the Gaels added SMU all-around transfer guard Tyson Jolly, along with Elijah Joiner from Tulsa. In the frontcourt, Louisville stretch forward Quinn Slazinski will have an immediate impact, paired with returning senior center Dylan van Eyck.

With Nelly Junior Joseph and Berrick JeanLouis also back to add depth, Iona has by far the best roster in the MAAC and it’s not out of the question that they’ll run the table. The bigger level of interest will be how they do in the non-conference against tougher competition. A couple of wins early could put them in at-large consideration.

7. Richmond Spiders

2020-21 season record: 14-9 (6-5 in A-10)

Leading scorer and star guard Blake Francis has moved on but luckily for the Spiders, he was the only senior that did. Grant Golden, Nathan Cayo, and Jacob Gilyard all took a 5th year, along with sharpshooting wing Nick Sherod, who missed all of last season with an injury and originally was set to go pro as well. All of them averaged at least 12 ppg, as well as sophomore forward and leading rebounder Tyler Burton.

The starting lineup isn’t the issue with Richmond but rather the lack of production off the bench. Former Tulane wing Connor Crabtree played just four games, while Andre Gustavson and Matt Grace were the only other regular rotation pieces.

Losing a 16 ppg scorer in Francis hurts and he was the original catalyst in changing the program. But there’s plenty of talent and experience left over to remain on the top-tier of the conference and if Sherod is healthy and is a 40% three-point shooter from the wings, Richmond could be in the top-25 range.

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