NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 mid-major power rankings for 2022-23 season

7. North Texas Mean Green

2021-22 record: 25-7 (16-2 in Conference USA)

They don’t get the same national press as a Virginia, San Diego State, Baylor, or even Saint Mary’s, but North Texas under head coach Grant McCasland is just as good on the defensive end as any NCAA Basketball program. In fact, they were the No. 1 scoring team defensively last season at 55.1 ppg and that should roll over once again to the 2022-23 campaign.

They’ll have to do it without two key starters in guard Mardrez McBride and forward and all-conference defender, Thomas Bell. But they return Tylor Perry, who actually led the Mean Green in scoring at 13.5 ppg coming off the bench. He was easily named Conference USA 6th Man of the Year and with McBride and JJ Murray gone, should step into the lineup and lead the way. Rubin Jones, JUCO transfer Kai Huntsberry, and North Dakota State transfer and sharpshooter Tyree Eady add to the overall depth in the backcourt.

In the frontcourt, look for returning starting big man Abou Ousmane to become even more of a focal point. As a sophomore, the 6’10 and 250-pound big produced 10.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg in a breakout year and is a quality interior defender. Dayton transfer Moulaye Sissoko adds more size inside and he’ll have an impact at the CUSA level as well.

Look for New Hampshire transfer Jayden Martinez (14.9 ppg and 5.5 rpg) to be the x-factor on offense. He’s a 6’7 combo forward and shot over 40% from deep and could be the leading scorer on this roster as well. North Texas will remain elite defensively and as long as Martinez makes the transition, will have enough offense to win most of its games once again.