NCAAB · 1 year ago

The Top Mid-Majors to Keep an Eye on in College Hoops

David Connelly

Host · Writer

Western Carolina
The Catamounts have one of the best backcourts in mid-major hoops. With Vonterius Woolbright and Tre Jackson returning, it was understood that Western Carolina was going to be a force out of the SoCon. The key has been the increased production from Russell Jones, who has put up gawdy numbers to start the season. In 152 minutes played this season, the fifth-year senior has scored 68 points, snatched 12 rebounds, dished out seven assists, and has commited just one turnover. He's also shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 55.2 percent from beyond the arc, making him the ninth-most efficient player in the country per KenPom. If Jackson can get going alongside Woolbright and Jones, the Catamounts could be eyeing their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years.
Liberty
apparently for the Flames, it's no Darius McGhee, no problem. In a season where Liberty was expected to take half a step back after losing their superstar point guard in the offseason, they've done the opposite. They currently rank 39th on KenPom, the team's highest ranking since the metric was created in 1998, after they went to the Myrtle Beach Invitational and thrashed Furman, Wichita State, and Vermont all by double-digits. The Flames have also lived up to their name, boasting the highest effective field goal percentage in the country so far this season. This team returned a boatload of talent that may have been overooked due to McGhee's departure, but it seems as if the Flames are here to stay as mid-major powers in 2023-24.
Colorado State
We were on the Colorado State bandwagon way before it was cool, recommending them at +1000 to win the Mountain West at the FanDuel Sportsbook. Good luck finding that price anymore as the Rams are on the map as a ranked program with a blowout victory over Creighton in the Hall of Fame Classic and a home win over Colorado. The Rams are led by superstar point guard Isaiah Stevens, who is averaging 17.5 points and 7.8 assists, as the engineer of their highly-efficient offense. This is a team that could get a high seed in the NCAA Tournament and make a serious run into the second weekend and beyond.
Princeton
Head coach Mitch Henderson is proving that Princeton is better than the sum of its parts. The Tigers lost loads of production from last season's Sweet 16 team, yet they've kicked off the season at 7-0, including top 100 KenPom wins over Rutgers and Duquesne. Their methodically slow yet efficient offensive scheme makes them a nightmare to game plan against as they typically stick with an iron five, utilizing the second-least bench minutes in the country. It's looking similar to a season ago, just with different players. Will the Tigers make another run in March?
McNeese
While Will Wade ended up at McNeese after recruiting violations during his time at LSU, we have a feeling he won't be at the mid-major level for much longer. He has completely turned the program around, going from perennial Southland bottom feeder to the favorites to win the conference's auto-bid this season. Road wins over VCU and UAB have put the Cowboys on the map, and Shahada Wells is a guard you must watch at least once this season. He poured in 36 to lift them past UAB on November 28.
Western Carolina
The Catamounts have one of the best backcourts in mid-major hoops. With Vonterius Woolbright and Tre Jackson returning, it was understood that Western Carolina was going to be a force out of the SoCon. The key has been the increased production from Russell Jones, who has put up gawdy numbers to start the season. In 152 minutes played this season, the fifth-year senior has scored 68 points, snatched 12 rebounds, dished out seven assists, and has commited just one turnover. He's also shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 55.2 percent from beyond the arc, making him the ninth-most efficient player in the country per KenPom. If Jackson can get going alongside Woolbright and Jones, the Catamounts could be eyeing their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years.
Liberty
apparently for the Flames, it's no Darius McGhee, no problem. In a season where Liberty was expected to take half a step back after losing their superstar point guard in the offseason, they've done the opposite. They currently rank 39th on KenPom, the team's highest ranking since the metric was created in 1998, after they went to the Myrtle Beach Invitational and thrashed Furman, Wichita State, and Vermont all by double-digits. The Flames have also lived up to their name, boasting the highest effective field goal percentage in the country so far this season. This team returned a boatload of talent that may have been overooked due to McGhee's departure, but it seems as if the Flames are here to stay as mid-major powers in 2023-24.

The Top Mid-Majors to Keep an Eye on in College Hoops

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