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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NCAA Basketball Buffalo Bulls forward Josh Mballa Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

2020-21 season record: 24-8 (12-4 in Conference USA)

Few players were as entertaining in NCAA Basketball as Kenneth Lofton. The 6’7 and nearly 280-pound big man led the Bulldogs with 12.2 ppg and 7.5 rpg last season and shot 57% from the field. He’s currently set to play for the U19 US team and should be a top contender for CUSA Player of the Year next season.

Despite having a bunch of seniors on the roster last season, Louisana Tech got good news with Amorie Archibald and Exavian Christon coming back for the extra season. The team’s second-leading scorer Isaiah Crawford (11.8 ppg and 5.1 apg) also is back. 6’3 guard transfer Keaston Willis (19.3 ppg at Incarnate Word) bolsters the backcourt, while Texas A&M forward LaDamien Bradford should have a much bigger role after not playing much last season.

The Bulldogs were a great defensive unit last season but were overall average on offense in league play. If Willis and Lofton can become consistent go-to players then this will be a team as formidable as they will be watchable next season.

19. Buffalo Bulls

2020-21 season record: 16-9 (12-5 in MAC)

Losing a star and two-time All-MAC performer in Jayvon Graves certainly will hurt the Bulls. However, they’re returning three players who each averaged at least 13 ppg last season. One of them is big man Josh Mballa, the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year who also averaged a double-double (15.3 ppg and 10.8 rpg) on the season.

Starting point guard Ronald Segu (13.3 ppg and 4.3 apg) and leading scorer Jeenathan Williams (17.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg) form the best trio in the MAC without question but will they be able to replace Graves’ production? Laquill Hardnett and Keishawn Brewton are the only players returning that averaged more than five points a game.

They’ll need Fordham transfer Ty Perry (7.5 ppg) to have an impact offensively, while Segu will be tasked to score even more while facilitating for others. But with Mballa and Williams leading the way on the frontcourt, Buffalo won’t need too much from the guards in order to be a contender.

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