Here are the 10 best mid-major programs in college basketball during the 2020-21 season.
You’ve seen mid-major teams ranked on other sites mostly by people who have never actually watched any of these teams play. Some sites use coaches to create their poll but if you know anything about coaches they are so laser focused on their own team and their opponents they don’t have time for much else. Another site creates their mid-major rankings with a collection of 20 year-old kids with zero perspective or reference range for a what a good team actually is.
After watching several hundred mid-major games so far this season, here are the 11 most talented teams in college basketball in 2020-21.
- Gonzaga Bulldogs 17-0 West Coast Conference
This is the best college basketball team we’ve seen in a decade. They have at least 3 players who will be NBA draft picks and possibly 5. Jalen Suggs should go No.1 with Corey Kispert not far behind along with Drew Timme likely in the late first-round. Andrew Nembhard and Joel Ayayi could also find themselves picked.
- Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 13-4 Conference-USA
Very deep and talented roster highlighted by future first-round NBA draft pick Charles Bassey (6’11 center with 17.8 PPG + 12.2 RPG) along with 3 stud guards in Taveion Hollingsworth, Josh Anderson and Dayvion McKnight.
- Boise State Broncos 14-2 Mountain West
The Mountain West has the best mid-major talent top to bottom of any conference and Boise State is currently No.1. They have 9 or 10 guys that can really play led by Derrick Alston Jr. (16.5 PPG) along with high major transfers Abu Kigab (Oregon), Devonaire Doutrive (Arizona) and more.
- St. Bonaventure Bonnies 9-1 Atlantic-10
Off to their best start since 1971 led by 5 players who score in double-digits. Kyle Lofton leads with 15.7 PPG and 5 assists per game but they are so deep, so steady and so tough to play. Will be tested vs Saint Louis (Feb 6) to see if they’re for real.
- Utah State Aggies 13-5 Mountain West
Deep and talented group led by another future NBA’er in 7-footer Neemias Queta from Portugal. You have an NBA guy dominating college kids surrounded by a solid group of guards including Marco Anthony (11.4 PPG) and freshman Rollie Worster. Good luck to whoever faces them in the NCAA tournament where they should be an 11 or 12 seed.
- Colorado State Rams 12-4 Mountain West
Niko Medved should be the NCAA Coach of the Year for getting more out of his players than any coach in basketball. They don’t have any NBA guys but they do have the gutsiest team in college hoops led by David Roddy (16 PPG + 9.3 RPG) and Isaiah Stevens (15 PPG and 6.6 assists per game).
- Drake Bulldogs 17-0 Missouri Valley Conference
Drake finally made the AP Top 25 this week after some inspiring wins including a 17 point comeback win over Missouri State and an OT win over Illinois State. Shanquan Hemphill leads the team with 14.4 PPG but guard Roman Penn is the engine who has kept Drake undefeated (12.5 PPG and 5.5 assists per game).
- Toledo Rockets 16-4 Mid-American Conference
No.1 team in the MAC which is a man’s league. Senior guard Marreon Jackson is the most underrated player in college basketball. Will get an NBA shot via G-League (16.9 PPG and 5.6 assists per game). Have 5 players who score in double-digits and the entire team plays tough as nails.
- BYU Cougars 14-4 West Coast Conference
No.2 team in the WCC behind Gonzaga. They’re not flashy but they are tough and consistent. Could be the only hope of ending the Zags perfect season Feb 27 at home. Led by guard Alex Barcello (15.4 PPG) and 7’3 Matt Haarms (11.3 PPG).
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 14-5 Conference-USA
Could be the most boring team in college basketball to watch. However, head coach Eric Konkol is getting results in a very tough league and that’s all that counts. Another team with 5 players who score in double-digits. They have no NBA guys but play steady, composed basketball that frustrates the hell out of their opponents.
- Belmont Bruins 18-1 Ohio Valley Conference
They’ve won 15 games in a row and 30 of the past 31. You don’t want to play them. 6’11 Nick Muszynski is the focal point of the offence with 14.9 PPG but freshman guard Jacobi Wood has been a revelation for head coach Casey Alexander with 12.8 PPG.
