21. Dayton Flyers - Flyers looking to make up for 2020 canceled tournament
There were several teams with Final Four aspirations a few years ago who didn’t get to play in the 2020 NCAA Tournament when everything got shut down. They have since returned to the Big Dance, with Dayton being the exception. But as a projected 5-7 seed, the Flyers will be making its own return, looking to make a run. They might not be a top-5 team like that 2020 group, but they have their own All-American star to lead the way in DaRon Holmes (20.0 ppg and 8.0 prg).
20. San Diego State Aztecs - Jaedon Ledee trying to earn national respect
For most players in the top leagues, averaging 20+ ppg should automatically have you on the national radar. But for the senior forward, putting up 20.8 ppg and 8.4 rpg still has Ledee flying under the radar. The Aztecs are squarely in the NCAA Tournament field so he’ll have the chance to make some big noise, looking to have the team go on a repeat run.
19. Washington State Cougars - Wazzu looking to win 1st-ever Pac-12 title
After beating Arizona on the road last week, Washington State found itself in first place in the Pac-12, with two weeks to go. The program has never won a regular-season title and it’s perfect timing since the conference is dissolving after the season. A loss to ASU put the Cougars .5 games back but if Zona can lose one more game, Wazzu has the tiebreaker in case they tie.