MID MAJOR MADNESS (2/1 Edition)
Welcome to Mid Major Madness! In this series I will be highlighting some of College Basketball's hidden powerhouses and teams that I think are a threat to make some noise come March! Teams from the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC, Big East, A10, Mountain West, Missouri Valley, and West Coast Conferences are excluded from these posts. Check out my previous editions where I have highlighted other teams!
Louisiana Tech
Led by its top 50 ranked defense, Louisiana Tech is tied for first place in Conference USA with a 5-1 record. 5th year senior Isaiah Crawford and Texas Tech transfer Daniel Batcho lead the bulldogs. Crawford is averaging a career high 16 ppg and shooting over 40% from three, while Batcho averages nearly 15 ppg to go along with over 10 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. Louisiana Tech makes their opponents earn every bucket, highlighted by an interior defense ranked 6th in the country, limiting it’s opponents to a 42.8% mark inside the arc. A tough and experienced squad, Louisiana Tech has a great opportunity ahead of them to make their first NCAA tournament since 1991. I currently have Louisiana Tech projected as a 14 seed in this year's bracket.
UC Irvine
UC Irvine made some noise early this year when they knocked off USC back in early November. Although USC hasn’t performed as great as expected since that game, the Anteaters of UC Irvine have not slowed down since. They hold a 8-1 record in the Big West with a win over the other 8-1 Big West team, UC San Diego. Similarly to Louisiana Tech, UC Irvine does not give up easy baskets, with a top 20 ranked defense in the kenpom efficiency ratings. They are just ahead of Louisiana Tech in 2P defense, ranking 5th nationally by limiting opponents to a 42.6% FG percentage inside the arc. UC Irvine has a deep roster, utilizing up to 12 players on any given night, 6 of those being seniors. The combination of experience, defense, and depth makes UC Irvine a mid major team to keep your eyes on. I currently have UC Irvine projected as a 13 seed in this year's bracket.
Akron
Akron has had a lot of success in recent years, as this will likely be the 5th straight season Akron finishes with a conference winning percentage of 66% or better. Back in 2022, they nearly took out 4 seeded UCLA in the NCAA tournament. This year's team may be the most experienced and talented of them all, with many key pieces from that 2022 team now in their senior seasons. Akron is 8-1 in the MAC and is ranked 89th overall in kenpom’s efficiency ratings. 5th year senior forward Enrique Freeman leads the team averaging 18.5 points and 12.8 rebounds to go along with 1.5 blocks. This Akron team is one of if not the most experienced team in the country, with multiple 4th and 5th year players who have spent 4+ seasons in the program. Akron will look to cap off this special senior class with a trip to the NCAA tournament where they will certainly have a chance to make some noise. I currently have Akron projected as a 13 seed in this year's bracket.
Cornell
On January 27th, Cornell handed Ivy League rival Princeton just its second loss of the season. Cornell has just three losses themselves and are 4-0 in the Ivy league thus far. Cornell plays fast, with the 16th fastest tempo in the country and a top 50 ranked offense. They thrive at getting out in transition and to the basket, with a 64% 2P percentage which is the highest mark of any team in the country. This tempo and efficiency on offense makes them a scary matchup for any team they go up against. The Ivy league has two other really good teams this year in Princeton and Yale, but Cornell’s 15 point victory over Princeton was a statement victory. This race for the Ivy League championship is going to be fascinating, and Cornell is right at the center of it. If Cornell is able to win the Ivy League tournament, they would likely slot in as a 12 or 13 seed.
Drexel
Drexel stands atop the CAA with a 8-1 conference record. They beat fellow Philadelphia school Villanova back in December, and have proved that win was no fluke as they won 7 straight games to open up their conference schedule before losing a close game on the road to Towson. Drexel is fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball, and is a strong rebounding team, highlighted by a 35.9% offensive rebound percentage. They feature 5 seniors in their rotation, and will be looking to rely on that experience to come out on top of the competitive CAA conference. I currently have Drexel projected as a 14 seed in this year's bracket.
