Top 25 Mid-Major College Basketball Rankings: Week 1
See who tops our Week 1 mid-major basketball rankings. Grand Canyon, Saint Mary’s, and more gear up for the 2024 season.
We have officially made it as we are just one day away from the season tipoff of college basketball! As we did last season, we’ll post weekly Top 25 Mid-Major rankings through the season every Monday (with the exception of today). Now without further ado, let’s dive into our Week 1 Mid-Major Top 25 Rankings.
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1. Grand Canyon
It has been quite the week for Lopes fans as Grand Canyon just announced that they would no longer be joining the WCC and instead would join the Mountain West. The team has also been ranked in the Top 5 in many different Mid-Major polls, but they make the #1 spot in our rankings for Week 1.
This is a deep Lopes team that’s led by future NBA player Tyon Grant-Foster. The senior averaged 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks last season and will certainly be the star of the WAC this season. Ray Harrison is back with his 13.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists averages from last season.
Bryce Drew picked up Jakobe Coles from TCU who averaged 10 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists and Traivar Jackson from Tarleton State who averaged 4 points, 2.5 rebounds last season. Don’t forget about Lok Wur who we discussed as one of the top mid-major glue guys in college basketball.
The Lopes take on Cal State Fullerton on November 4th to kick off the season in Phoenix. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are coming to town on November 9th.
2. Saint Mary’s
The Gaels are poised to run the WCC with Gonzaga this season, led by Augustas Marciulionis and Mitchell Saxen. Marciulionis averaged 12.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.4 steals while Saxen averaged 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game last season.
The Gaels picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Ashton Hardaway: Memphis - 2.3 points
Paulius Murauskas: Arizona - 2.7 points, 1.2 rebounds
Saint Mary’s kicks their season off against some strong Mid-Majors in Towson (#25 in our week 1 rankings) on Monday, November 4th. The Gaels then take on Chattanooga who was picked to finish second in the SoCon on Thursday, November 7th.
2. Boise State
The Mountain West is going to be an incredible conference once again this season and in the preseason, we’re slating Boise State at the forefront. Tyson Begenhart is back after averaging 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season for the Broncos. Omar Stanley is also returning with his 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game average from last season.
The Broncos also nabbed Alvaro Cardenas from San Jose State in the transfer portal. Cardenas averaged 13.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game last season while also knocking down 38.5% from deep.
The Broncos also picked up the following players in the portal:
Dominic Parolin: Leigh - 11.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Dylan Anderson: Arizona - 1.4 points
Javan Buchanan: Indiana Wesleyan - 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists
This team is deep and the Broncos are looking to run the Mountain West as they were also picked as the preseason favorites. Boise State kicks their season off against Oakland on Wednesday, November 6th and then take on the San Francisco Dons (#18 in our week 1 ranking) on Saturday, November 9th.
4. VCU
The Atlantic 10 is going to be a blast to watch this season and VCU is looking to run the table as the Rams were picked as the preseason favorites.
Joe Bamisile returns who averaged 13.1 points and 3.4 rebounds last season for the Rams. Zeb Jackson is also back this season after he averaged 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. The Rams also picked up Phillip Russell out of UT San Antonio where he averaged an impressive 14.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while also knocking down 38% of his outside shots.
The Rams face Bellarmine in their season opener on Monday, November 4th. They’ll then travel to Annapolis, Maryland to take on Boston College on Friday, November 8th.
5. Memphis
Alright, time to spark controversy over ranking Memphis as a mid-major, but not Gonzaga. There’s no clear rule here and it’s just our opinion, but Memphis has been to just two NCAA Tournaments since 2014, while Gonzaga has missed just one NCAA Tournament since 1999. Two very different teams at this point and no doubt Memphis can emerge from the Mid-Major ranks in the near future.
This year, the Tigers are looking like a completely different team after losing the majority of their top scorers from last season. A reset after the disappointing year should bring a fresh look for Memphis fans. New transfer PJ Haggerty was dominate at Tulsa where he averaged 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals on 49.3% shooting. Hardaway also picked up Tyrese Hunter from Texas where he averaged 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals and Colby Rogers from Wichita State where he averaged 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and one steal per game.
The Tigers are running a deep, veteran heavy team this season in hopes to put the past behind them and return to glory.
The Tigers kick off their season with Missouri coming to town on November 4th and then travel to Las Vegas to take on UNLV on November 9th.
6. San Diego State
It was a rough offseason for the San Diego State Aztecs as they lost all of their top performers from their roster last season. However, they rebounded well in the transfer portal:
Nick Boyd: FAU - 9.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists
Wayne McKinney: UC San Diego - 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals
Kimo Ferrari: Brown - 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.1 steals
Jared Coleman-Jones: MTSU - 11 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks
Reese Waters was the only top performer returning from last season when he averaged 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. It’s worth noting that Pharaoh Compton was also selected as the Mountain West preseason Freshman of the Year.
The Aztecs have just one game during opening week against UC San Diego who was picked 3rd in the Big West preseason poll on Wednesday, November 6th.
7. New Mexico
New Mexico is running it back with several players from last season including Donovan Dent, Jaelen House, and Junior Joseph. These three combined for 38.9 points per game last season for the Lobos. The also nabbed the following from the transfer portal:
CJ Noland: North Texas - 10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal
Atiki Ally Atiki: BYU - 4 points, 2.9 rebounds
Flip Borovicanin: Arizona - 2.3 points, 1.6 rebounds
Ibrahima Sacko: Georgia Tech - 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds
The Lobos get started with Nicholls on Monday, November 4th at home. They’ll then travel to Nevada to take on #22 UCLA on Friday, November 8th.
8. Dayton
VCU snapped the Flyers streak of being selected as the preseason favorites in the Atlantic 10. The Flyers will be without Daron Holmes, however, Nate Santos, Javon Bennett, and Enoch Cheeks all return. Combined, these three averaged 28.2 points per game last season.
The Flyers picked up the following players in the portal:
Zed Key: Ohio State - 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds
Posh Alexander: Butler - 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.2 steals
Jacob Conner: Marshall - 6.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals
The Flyers start off the week with Saint Francis coming to town on Monday, November 4th. Northwestern will then make a visit on Saturday, November 9th.
9. Utah State
Danny Sprinkle pulled a one-and-done with the Utah State Aggies last season, but despite the coaching change, Ian Martinez and Mason Falslev both elected to return with new head coach, Jerrod Calhoun. Martinez averaged 13.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, while Falslev averaged 11.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game last season.
Calhoun also picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Dexter Akanno: Oregon State - 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Drake Allen: Utah Valley - 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals
Aubin Gateretse: Stetson - 11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks
Deyton Albury: Queens - 17 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 steals
Braden Housley: Southern Utah - 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals
Tucker Anderson: Central Arkansas - 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Pavle Stosic: Gonzaga - 1 point, 0.8 rebounds
Calhoun retained some top talent while replenishing the roster with new faces from around the country. The Aggies look like they’ll be a tough team to beat in 2024-2025.
Utah State starts their season with Alcorn State on Wednesday, November 6th, then Charlotte on Saturday, November 9th.
10. Princeton
Two words. Xaivian Lee. The future NBA player averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1 steal per game last season as a sophomore and he returns this season looking to do more damage. Caden Pierce also returns who averaged 16.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals for the Tigers last season.
This might be one of the only teams in the country that didn’t add a single player from the transfer portal. Head Coach Mitch Henderson is looking to run it back this season and he as the Tigers looking like one of the best mid-major teams in the country.
Princeton kicks their season off against Iona on Monday, November 4th. They’ll then take on Duquesne on Friday, November 8th.
11. Loyola Chicago
I’ve been high on the Ramblers all offseason as I believe they can build off their impressive season last year to do even more this season. Desmond Watson, Sheldon Edwards, Jayden Dawson, and Miles Rubin all return from last season. Keep your eyes on Miles Rubin as he is a breakout candidate this season.
The Ramblers picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Jalen DeLoach: Georgia - 3.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists
Francis Nwaokorie: UC San Diego - 11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists
Justin Moore: Drexel - 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals
Kymany Houinsou: Washington State - 4.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
You can read more about the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in our offseason review:
The Ramblers have three games in their first week, starting with Chicago State on Monday, November 4th. They’ll then take on Detroit Mercy on Thursday, November 7th, and Eureka on Sunday, November 10th.
12. UAB
UAB was selected as the preseason favorites in the American, mostly thanks to the incredible abilities of Yaxel Lendeborg who is returning after averaging 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game. He also broke the school record with 19 double-doubles in a single season. Efrem Johnson and Alejandro Vasquez both return as well. Johnson averaged 11.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, while Vasquez averaged 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists per game last season.
The Blazers picked up the following players in the portal:
Tyren Moore: Georgia Southern - 17 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals
Greg Gordon: Iona - 16 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals
Ja’Borri McGhee: South Plains College - 18.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists
Bradley Ezewiro: SLU - 12 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Evan Chatman: McLennan Community College - 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
The Blazers start off their season against Vermont on Monday, November 4th. They’ll then take on Southern Mississippi on Thursday, November 7th and Southeast Louisiana on Sunday, November 10th.
13. McNeese
McNeese has a legitimate chance at becoming ranked in the AP Top 25 poll this season for the first time in school history. Quite a bit of their roster has returned including standout Christian Shumate and his 12.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks per game. Will Wade also picked up the following players in the portal:
Quadir Copeland: Sycracuse - 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals
Alyn Breed: Providence - 4.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Sincere Parker: SLU - 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds
Brandon Murray: Ole Miss - 4.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Joe Charles: Louisiana - 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.8 steals
Bryant Selebangue: Arizona State - 4.8 points, 4.1 rebounds
Jerome Brewer Jr: Texas A&M - Commerce - 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks
The Cowboys start off the season against South Dakota State on Monday, November 4th, then the College of Biblical Studies on Thursday, November 7th.
14. High Point
The Panthers are looking like they have the potential to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. Standout Kezza Giffa returns after averaging 16.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists last season. Kimani Hamilton also returns and bringing his 14.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals. Abdoulaye Thiam averaged 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, Trae Benham averaged 8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and Juslin Bodo Bodo averaged 7.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.
The Panthers picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Terry Anderson: Lamar - 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals
D’Maurian Williams: Gardner-Webb - 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists
Chase Johnston: Florida Gulf Coast - 9.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1 assist
Bobby Pettiford: East Carolina - 7.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists
You can read more about this deep team in our recent article discussing the High Point Panthers:
High Point takes on Coppin State on Wednesday, November 6th, then Jackson State on Saturday, November 9th.
15. Bradley
The Bradley Braves were picked as the preseason favorites to win the Missouri Valley Conference this season and their experienced roster is a big reason why. Duke Deen, Darius Hannah, and Christian Davis all return from the roster last season.
The Braves also picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Connor Dillon: Winona State - 21.6 points, 2.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1 steal
Zek Montgomery: Rhode Island - 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Corey Thomas: Cowley College - 12.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 blocks
You can read more about the Bradley Braves in our preseason deep dive:
The Bradley Braves start off the season with SEMO on Monday, November 4th. They’ll then travel to Washington State on Friday, November 8th.
16. Saint Louis
The Saint Louis Sycamores…erm I mean Billikens are reforming underneath new head coach Josh Schertz. Indiana State standouts Isaiah Swope & Robbie Avila followed Schertz to Saint Louis. SLU also picked up the following players in the portal:
Kobe Johnson: West Virginia - 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2.2 assists
AJ Casey: Miami - 1.9 points, 2 rebounds
Kalu Anya: Brown - 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1 block, 1.2 steals
Josiah Dotzler: Creighton - 1.3 points
Kilian Brockhoff: USCB - 2.6 points, 1.5 rebounds
SLU kicks off this week against an excellent Santa Clara team (#17 on our week 1 rankings) on Monday, November 4th. They then take on Avila on Sunday, November 19th.
17. Santa Clara
Santa Clara is led by Adama-Alpha Bal who has plenty of NBA potential. Last season, Bal averaged 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists. Johnny O’Neil and Christian Tilly are both returning as well. O’Neil averaged 11 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and Tilly averaged 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game last season.
The Broncos picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Carlos Stewart Jr: LSU - 4.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1 assist
Elijah Mahi: West Valley College - 17.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists
Santa Clara opens up their season against SLU on Monday, November 4th. They’ll then take on Arizona State on Friday, November 8th.
18. San Francisco
This is arguably one of the deepest San Francisco Dons team in school history. Marcus Williams, Malik Thomas, and Ndewedo Newbury all return from last season. Williams averaged 14 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals, Thomas averaged 12.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and Newbury averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game last season.
The Dons picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Isael Silva: Long Beach State - 2.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Carlton Linguard Jr: UT San Antonio - 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks
Jason Rivera-Torres: Vanderbilt - 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds
The Dons start off against Cal Poly on Tuesday, November 5th, they’ll then take on Boise State on Saturday, November 9th.
19. Nevada
The Wolf Pack had quite a bit of turnover this offseason, but Nick Davidson and Tre Coleman both are returning after successful seasons last year. Davidson averaged 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, while Coleman averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals.
The Wolf Pack picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Kobe Sanders: Cal Poly - 19. points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists
Xavier DuSell: Fresno State - 11.5 points, 2.1 rebounds
Brandon Love: Texas State - 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks
Chuck Bailey III: Evansville - 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds
Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams: Portland - 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds
Justin McBride: Oklahoma State - 2.5 points, 1.5 rebounds
Nevada will start their season against Sam Houston on Monday, November 4th. They’ll then take on Washington on Saturday, November 9th.
20. Arkansas State
The Sun Belt is going to be a blast to watch this season and Arkansas State has been picked as the preseason favorites for the first time in school history. Last year’s leading scorer, Tyron Todd returns with his 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1 steal per game.
The Red Wolves picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Kobe Julien: Louisiana - 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals
Joseph Pinion: Arkansas - 2.4 points
Cody Head: Lipscomb - 8.1 points, 2.5 rebounds
Rashaud Marshall: Ole Miss - 1.4 points
Arkansas State starts their season with Akron on Monday, November 4th, then they make a trip to #2 Alabama on Friday, November 8th.
21. Saint Joseph’s
The Hawks were picked to finish third in the A-10 in the preseason poll. There’s plenty of potential with this team, as top performers Erik Reynolds II and Xzayvier Brown are both returning. Reynolds averaged 17.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals while Brown averaged 12.7 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game last season.
Saint Joseph’s picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Justice Ajogbor: Harvard - 8.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks
Derek Simpson: Rutgers - 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals
The Hawks kick their season off with Navy on Monday, November 4th. They’ll then take on Central Connecticut on Friday, November 8th.
22. Colorado State
The Colorado State Rams were selected to finish 7th in the Mountain West this season which is once again going to be an elite conference. There are many new faces on this team, but Nique Clifford leads the way from last year’s roster where he averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
The Rams picked up the following players in the portal:
Keshawn Williams: Northern Illinois - 2022-2023 stats: 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Bowen Born: Northern Iowa - 13.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal
Ethan Morton: Purdue - 0.6 points, 0.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Jaylen Brocker-Johnson: Little Rock - 9.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Nikola Dupa: LIU - 6.1 points, 5.6 rebounds
The Rams start their season against North Dakota on Monday, November 4th, then Tennessee State on Friday, November 8th.
23. Ohio
The Ohio Bobcats were picked as the preseason favorites in the MAC this season. They are led by Shereef Mitchell, AJ Clayton, and AJ Brown who are all returning from the roster last season. Mitchell averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals, Clayton averaged 12 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks, while Brown averaged 9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game last season.
The Bobcats picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Victor Searls: Ashland - 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists
Jackson Paveletzke: Iowa State - 3.4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Ohio will take on James Madison on Monday, November 4th and then UNC Asheville on Saturday, November 9th.
24. Vermont
The Vermont Catamounts are once again the favorites to win the America East. Standouts TJ Long & Shamir Bogues are both returning. Long averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1 steal, while Bogues averaged 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
The Catamounts picked up the following players in the transfer portal:
Gavin Perryman: Texas - 0.3 points, 0.4 rebounds
Shy Odom: Howard - 8.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Vermont takes on UAB in their opening game on Monday, November 4th, then #11 Auburn on Wednesday November 6th, and Merrimack on Saturday, November 9th.
25. Towson
If you don’t know about Towson, you’ll need to start learning their name. Pat Skerry is returning the majority of his roster from last season, including Christian May, Dylan Williamson, Tyler Tejada, and Nendah Tarke. May averaged 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1 assist, Williamson averaged 10.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1 steal, Tejada averaged 10.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and Tarke averaged 9.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last season.
The Tigers picked up Abdou Samb in the portal out of IU Indy. Samb averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds last season for the Jaguars.
Towson gets their season started against Saint Mary’s on Monday, November 4th, then Penn State - Wilkes-Barre on Friday, November 8th.