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NCAA: Mid-Major Preseason Power Rankings

By Wally Hughes

Mar 23, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot performs during a time-out against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men
Mar 23, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot performs during a time-out against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men /
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Mar 23, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot performs during a time-out against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men
Mar 23, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot performs during a time-out against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men /

With the start of the college basketball season a few days away, it’s time for the preseason edition of the NCAA College Basketball Mid-Major Power Rankings. The list highlights the top ten mid-major teams, based on success last season, returning talent and expectations for this season.

Since the power rankings focus only on mid-major programs, only schools outside of high-major conferences were considered. Therefore, schools from the ACC, SEC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, Big East and AAC were not included. Although the A-10 is often viewed as a mid-major conference, it was also excluded because of its success and emergence as a power conference over the past few seasons.

Did your team make the list? Check out the rankings below to find out!

MID-MAJOR PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

On the cusp: Murray State, Eastern Kentucky, Florida Gulf Coast, New Mexico State, Saint Mary’s, Green Bay, Toledo, Northern Iown, Iona

10. Louisiana-Lafayette — The Ragin’ Cajuns lost star point guard Elfrid Payton to the NBA last season. Normally, losing talent like that is a big blow to a mid-major program, but the Cajuns have Shawn Long (18.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.7 blocks per game) back for another year. For that reason, the Cajuns are my bold prediction to make the list.

9. Stephen F. Austin – The Lumberjacks won 29 straight games last season. Southland Player of the Year Jacob Parker returns, and hopes to lead SFA to another conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance. Is there a Cinderella run in the Lumberjacks’ future?

8. BYU – The Cougars will field an experienced team in 2014-15, led by senior guard Tyler Haws, who averaged 23.8 points per game last season. Remember: senior-laden teams typically perform well in a tournament setting. Sign of things to come?

7. Georgia State – With a loaded backcourt consisting of Ryan Harrow, Kevin Ware, and reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year R.J. Hunter, the Panthers are ready for March Madness. But can they get past Shawn Long and Louisiana-Lafayette?

6. UTEP – Led by former Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Hornets head coach Tim Floyd, the Miners will look to edge out Louisiana Tech for the Conference USA crown this season. Will Vince Hunter (12.3 points, 6.5 rebounds per game) avoid a sophomore slump and continue to impress?

Next: 5. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs