Mid-Major Power Rankings: Saint Louis stays on top as Gonzaga, Miami (OH) chase perfection
This week’s rankings show resume strength, NET positioning, current form and remaining schedule difficulty. There is separation at the top, but very little margin for error behind it. With February tightening the screws, every possession now carries NCAA Tournament implications.
10. Belmont Bruins (21-4)
NET: 60
Belmont took a hit with the overtime loss to the Bradley Braves, a result that narrows the margin in the Missouri Valley race and reinforces the likelihood that the league sends just one team to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bruins still hold a two-game conference lead with five regular-season games remaining. That cushion matters. They return home Thursday to face the Northern Iowa Panthers before a pivotal road trip to Murray State Racers on Sunday.
Belmont controls its path, but the margin for error has disappeared.
9. San Diego State Aztecs (17-6)
NET: 42
San Diego State re-enters the rankings after back-to-back wins and remains firmly in the Mountain West title chase. Their league losses came on the road at Grand Canyon Antelopes and Utah State Aggies.
They are level in the loss column with Utah State, and the rematch in San Diego on February 25 looms large.
Before that showdown, the Aztecs host Nevada Wolf Pack and Grand Canyon, then travel to Colorado State Rams. It is a defining stretch for both seeding and at-large security.
8. Liberty Flames (18-3)
NET: 77
Liberty is 13-0 in Conference USA and riding a 15-game winning streak, yet still feels nationally overlooked.
Zach Cleveland continues to elevate this group, punctuated by his buzzer-beater at New Mexico State Aggies. Brett Decker adds 17 points per game, forming one of the more efficient scoring duos in the mid-major landscape.
The Flames remain on the road Saturday at UTEP Miners before returning home to host FIU Panthers and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as they attempt to strengthen their résumé.
7. VCU Rams (19-6)
NET: 48
VCU may be the lone legitimate challenger to Saint Louis in the Atlantic 10. The Rams have won eight straight, including a 99-point outburst at home against Dayton Flyers.
They head to Richmond Spiders this weekend before closing with a demanding stretch that includes George Washington Revolutionaries, Saint Louis, Fordham Rams, George Mason Patriots and a return trip to Dayton.
Their February 20 matchup at Saint Louis could determine the league’s regular-season champion.
6. Santa Clara Broncos (21-5)
NET: 41
The West Coast Conference is not just a two-team race. Santa Clara sits at 13-1 in league play and has not lost since its road game at Gonzaga Bulldogs.
The rematch comes Saturday in Santa Clara. It is arguably the best mid-major game of the week.
After Gonzaga, the Broncos travel to San Francisco Dons and Saint Mary's Gaels before finishing at home against Oregon State Beavers.
5. Saint Mary's Gaels (22-4)
NET: 28
Saint Mary’s has responded well after its loss at Gonzaga, winning three straight by margins of 27, 25 and 28 points.
The Gaels are scoring 78.8 points per game while allowing just 64.1, a balance that continues to translate into consistency.
A three-game road swing at Pacific Tigers, Seattle Redhawks and Washington State Cougars precedes home games against Santa Clara and Gonzaga. That closing stretch could define both the WCC race and NCAA seeding.
4. Utah State Aggies (21-3)
NET: 23
Utah State sits atop the Mountain West at 12-2 and has won six straight after a 13-point victory over Fresno State Bulldogs.
MJ Collins Jr. is emerging as one of the league’s most reliable scorers at more than 18 points per game.
The Aggies host Memphis Tigers before welcoming Boise State Broncos on February 18. The margin between league champion and second place is razor thin.
3. Gonzaga Bulldogs (24-2)
NET: 6
Gonzaga owns the strongest NET profile among mid-majors but remains third for the second straight week due to résumé fluctuation. The early 40-point loss to Michigan Wolverines and the setback at Portland Pilots still linger.
Since then, the Bulldogs have handled Oregon State and Washington State convincingly.
Saturday’s trip to Santa Clara will test whether Gonzaga can fully stabilize its résumé heading into March. A follow-up road game at San Francisco adds another layer of difficulty.
2. Miami RedHawks (21-0)
NET: 50
Miami remains the lone unbeaten team in Division I after Kansas Jayhawks handed Arizona Wildcats its first loss.
The RedHawks hold a one-game lead over Akron Zips in the MAC standings. Miami already defeated Akron and will not see them again in the regular season.
Friday’s home matchup with the Ohio Bobcats is their lone meeting. After that, a February 17 road trip to UMass Minutemen presents another opportunity to protect perfection.
1. Saint Louis Billikens (22-1)
NET: 16
Saint Louis remains the standard.
The Billikens are averaging 91 points per game, sixth nationally, and are coming off a dominant home win over La Salle Explorers. Their offensive efficiency and depth continue to separate them within the Atlantic 10.
They travel to Loyola Chicago Ramblers on Friday and Rhode Island Rams on February 17 before hosting VCU in what could be the league’s most important game of the season.
Until someone knocks them off, they stay at No. 1.
Dropped From The Rankings
- Tulsa Golden Hurricane (18-5) – NET: 52
Others Receiving Consideration
- Akron Zips (17-5) – NET: 59
- Yale Bulldogs (16-4) – NET: 67
- New Mexico Lobos (19-6) – NET: 44
- George Mason Patriots (20-4) – NET: 84
- High Point Panthers (22-4) – NET: 78
Final thoughts
The mid-major landscape is quite strong this season. Gonzaga owns the analytics profile. Miami (OH) owns perfection. Utah State leads the Mountain West. But Saint Louis has combined scoring firepower, resume quality and consistency better than anyone else to this point.
February will decide whether these teams are fighting for at-large positioning or simply for conference tournament survival. Either way, the margin between celebration and heartbreak is shrinking by the day.