Who Will Be the Next Bracket Buster?
The NET Rankings are out for the first time this season, so let’s break down what Mid-Major programs could be the next bracket buster come March. December 2023 Edition.
We are about one week into December, in which most teams have played 7-9 games so far. The NET Rankings are out for the first time this season, so let’s break down what Mid-Major programs could be the next bracket buster come March.
Indiana State
Indiana State looks like they are an offensive juggernaut so far this season. They are now 8-1 after drilling Northern Illinois 90-67 on Tuesday night. They’ve yet to score below 76 in a game and have scored 85+ in 7/9 games played so far.
Isiah Swope is averaging a massive 19.7 points per game and is shooting just a ridiculous 50% from the field on the season. You think 50% from the field through 9 games in the season is crazy? Robbie Avila is averaging 16.4 per game and shooting 56% from the field.
They are demolishing every team they play including a 29-point victory over Southern Illinois and an 8-point victory (ISU lead by 19 at half) over Bradley. This has led the Sycamores to have the highest NET Ranking in the Missouri Valley at #14 in the country as of 12/06/23.
The national media isn’t talking about Indiana State yet, but let’s face it, if they win the MVC Tournament or are selected on Selection Sunday, Robbie Avila is going to become a national figure on social media and the trees are going to do some damage in the tournament. Depending on their seeding, a Sweet 16 run could be very realistic.
Colorado St
More people probably have heard about Colorado St.’s great run to start off the season. The Rams sit at 8-0 including a blow-out win over Creighton during the Hall of Fame Classic 69-48 while they were ranked #8 in the AP 25.
Isaiah Stevens is averaging 17.1/2.8/7.9/1.6 a game and is just an all-around elite guard. The Rams have 4 players averaging 11 or more points per game, in which literally any single player can lead the charge game in and game out.
In this week’s latest AP poll, the Colorado St. Rams are ranking at #13, so this team probably isn’t a true “bracket buster”, but their strength of schedule hasn’t exactly been the best. I’m still including them on the list out of respect for the Mountain West Conference.
Princeton
I really don’t know how much longer Princeton can be left out of the AP poll. Here’s a list of some of the highly regarded teams they have knocked off:
Rutgers 68-61
Duquesne 70-67
Furman 70-69
Drexel 81-70
If you don’t pay much attention to mid-major basketball, it’s easy to look at that list and say “okay, what’s special about that?” Rutgers is obviously a P5 win, but Duquesne is one of the best mid-majors in the country and will be in the tournament come March, Furman is solid year-in and year-out, and Drexel knocked off #18 Villanova in the Big 5 Classic.
Princeton has 3 players averaging 16 points or more, led by Xaivian Lee who is putting up an insane 19.4/5.1/3.6 while shooting 48% from the floor and 40% from behind the line. Let me add that Caden Pierce is averaging a double-double with a 16.1/10.6/2.9 line and shooting 53% from the floor.
The Tigers are the real deal and come March they WILL upset a team in the tournament.
McNeese
Unless you are a college basketball nerd, you probably have never head of McNeese, but let me tell you…they are ranked #30 in the NET Rankings for a reason. TCU transfer Shahada Wells is averaging 19.1/4.1/3.3 while shooting 56% from the field.
McNeese is now 8-2 with wins over VCU & UAB. Their strength of schedule isn’t probably the best in comparison to some of the other teams on this list, but in the Southland conference, you are going to have to rely on getting an at-large bid to get their name called on Selection Sunday. If they do, they are going to be a sneaky pick depending on their seeding and opponent.
Grand Canyon
The Lopes just secured their first Top-25 win ever in program history against #25 San Diego State on Tuesday night. If you missed that game, I’d recommend watching some highlights. GCU Arena is one of the most fun arenas in the country right now, there were even students that were camping outside 24 hours in advance of the game.
GCU is now 7-1 with wins over San Francisco, North Dakota St, & #25 San Diego St. Their only loss has come to South Carolina by 8 points, who has started off on their own hot streak at 7-0.
The Lopes are led by Tyon Grant-Foster who is averaging 21.8/6.3/1.3 and shooting 49% from the field.
I’m not for sure if they’ll be ranked in next week’s AP top 25, but if they keep this up, they must put them in the rankings at some point soon. Now, if they beat Liberty this weekend, they must put them in the top-25 next week.
They are going to be a good pick come March.
Duquesne
The Dukes are one of the best mid-majors in the country this year. You’ll look at their 5-2 record and get confused, but their only two losses have come from a 3-point loss to Princeton who is in this list above and a 10-point loss to Nebraska who was 6-0 after that game and now sits at 7-1 on the season.
Dae Dae Grant is a stud, averaging 19.4/3/2.4 and averaging 40% from the floor. From a team perspective, they are very well rounded with 3 players averaging 10 or more points a game, and Jimmy Clark III who is posting 16/3.6/4/2.4 a game.
They currently are sitting at #90 in the NET Rankings, but they’ve got plenty of time to boost this and nab one of the at-large bids because the Atlantic 10 Conference is a gauntlet. Regardless, if they get into the tournament, this will be a team to watch.