Mid-majors to watch

[shizzle787]

Update:
Vermont (11-4)
LaTech (14-3)
UAB (15-4)
Oakland (13-4)
Princeton (13-3)
Iona (13-3)
Ohio (13-2)
Murray State (14-2)
Belmont (13-4)
Chattanooga (14-4)
Texas A&M-CC (14-4)
SDSU (15-4)
Grand Canyon (14-2)
NMSU (15-2)
Seattle (12-4)

 

[JustbrewitMan]

@Hey Adrien! - Thoughts on Davidson at VCU tonight? Seems like it could be a great game. Does VCU bounce back after getting trounced by the Bonnies? Not sure how they match up vs. Davidson

 

[Hey Adrien!]

@Hey Adrien! - Thoughts on Davidson at VCU tonight? Seems like it could be a great game. Does VCU bounce back after getting trounced by the Bonnies? Not sure how they match up vs. Davidson

Great matchup, check out how elite each team in effective fg% and turnover ratio: Davidson on O and VCU on D.

Davidson has the advantage as they are a top-25 defensive rebounding team while VCU is a poor shooting team.

I'd go Davidson despite VCU's strong home court advantage.

 

[CCSU97]

Don't sleep on Wagner (10-2) out of the NEC.

Had missed some non-conf games due to COVID, but has impressive win at VCU early this year. Will likely run the table or get upset once in league play.

Wagner Seahawks Scores, Stats and Highlights - ESPN

Visit ESPN for Wagner Seahawks live scores, video highlights, and latest news. Find standings and the full 2024-25 season schedule.

www.espn.com

 

[Hey Adrien!]

If you'd like to watch a mid-major game before the Butler game, 7 PM on ESPN News, #56 Belmont will be visiting #135 Morehead State, last year's OVC champs.

One fun matchup will be Belmont's 6'11 senior big Nick Musynski (15.4 ppg) vs Morehead's 6'1- sophomore Johni Broome (15.9 ppg).

Both teams have some elite level aspects of their game:

• Belmont is 2nd in the nation in 2p% (60.4%).
• Morehead is 3rd in the nation in preventing teams from getting to the line. This is neutralized by Belmont's lack of getting to the line (328th highest rate).
• Morehead State is 41st in the nation in 3p% (37.2%) and Belmont's 3p% D is just 33.3%. Watch Morehead fly.

 

[shizzle787]

If you'd like to watch a mid-major game before the Butler game, 7 PM on ESPN News, #56 Belmont will be visiting #135 Morehead State, last year's OVC champs.

One fun matchup will be Belmont's 6'11 senior big Nick Musynski (15.4 ppg) vs Morehead's 6'1- sophomore Johni Broome (15.9 ppg).

Both teams have some elite level aspects of their game:

• Belmont is 2nd in the nation in 2p% (60.4%).
• Morehead is 3rd in the nation in preventing teams from getting to the line. This is neutralized by Belmont's lack of getting to the line (328th highest rate).
• Morehead State is 41st in the nation in 3p% (37.2%) and Belmont's 3p% D is just 33.3%. Watch Morehead fly.

To put in perspective, Musynski was still in the OVC when Ja Morant played for Morehead.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Saturday 1/22/22 Mid-Major Viewing Guide:

3:00 PM - #113 New Mexico State @ #129 Stephen F. Austin - ESPN+

Another typical year for Chris Jans' Aggies: A lot of roster turnover built from giving castaways another chance. This year, their top transfer is former Wichita State and Nebraska shooter 6'6 212 Teddy Allen (17.8 ppg). Jans' teams usually shoot a lot of threes and flex their depth by generating a lot of turnovers (24th best turnover rate).

Led by 6'7 260 senior Gavin Mensmil (14.5 ppg), the Lumberjacks get the line, rebound well and make it hard for teams to take good shots (each metric within the top-60 nationally).

3:30 PM - #63 Missouri State @ #21 Loyola-Chicago - CBS Sports Network

Led by junior wing Isaiah Mosley (20.2 ppg) and 6'8 big Gaige Prim (13.9p, 8.2r), Missouri State has supplanted Drake as the 2nd best team in the MVC.

Both teams rank in the top-35 in offensive efficiency and top-15 in shooting efficiency, but Loyola-Chicago has the edge defensively (KP 46 vs 125). An elite defender, fifth year senior Lucas Williamson has stepped offensively leading the Ramblers with 12.5 ppg. Seven Ramblers average between 7.6-12.5 ppg.

4 PM - #43 UAB @ #78 Louisiana Tech - Stadium

Both teams rank in the top-100 nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Led by Andy Kennedy, UAB has five high-major transfers in their rotation led by Seton Hall commit Jordan Walker (16.9 ppg). UAB's offense is top-30 in offensive rebounding, 3p% and prevention of turnovers while their defense is top-40 in both turnover % and effective fg%.

Louisiana Tech rosters five 10+ ppg scorers led by 6'7 275 sophomore Kenneth Lofton (16.5p, 10.5r) but UAB's 7'0 260 former Clemson big Trey Jemison is a capable defender.

7 PM - #102 Furman @ #96 Wofford - ESPN+

Whenever Furman, Wofford or Chattanooga play each other, it's usually a great game. Two top-60 offenses that are top-25 shooting teams.

Wofford is led by their inside/out duo of former USF big BJ Mack (15.9 ppg) and sophomore shooting guard Max Klesmit (15.5p). Furman is led by three 15 ppg scorers, senior forward Jalen Slawson (15p, 7.7r) and their senior backcourt of Mike Bothwell and Alex Hunter (combined 31.1p, 6.4a).

If you like well coached offenses and a lot of scoring, you'll love this game.

9:30 PM - #46 Boise State @ #33 San Diego State - CBS Sports Network

My Sunday morning coffee game.

Two elite defenses (both top-15) battle it out and overall the MWC has been excellent this year.

Boise State plays BIG. Their seven man rotation is 6'2, 6'5, 6'7, 6'7, 6'7, 6'8 and 6'10, which helps them rank 6th in the nation in defensive rebounding. Continuing the tradition of Derrick Alston Jr, 6'8 210 Emmanuel Akot is their "point forward".

San Diego State has been led by bruising 6'4 220 guard Matt Bradley (15.8 ppg), the former Cal star. Collectively, SDSU ranks top-10 in BOTH 2p and 3p D.

Will be a tough, physical battle!

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Saturday 1/22/22 Mid-Major Viewing Guide:

3:00 PM - #113 New Mexico State @ #129 Stephen F. Austin - ESPN+

Another typical year for Chris Jans' Aggies: A lot of roster turnover built from giving castaways another chance. This year, their top transfer is former Wichita State and Nebraska shooter 6'6 212 Teddy Allen (17.8 ppg). Jans' teams usually shoot a lot of threes and flex their depth by generating a lot of turnovers (24th best turnover rate).

Led by 6'7 260 senior Gavin Mensmil (14.5 ppg), the Lumberjacks get the line, rebound well and make it hard for teams to take good shots (each metric within the top-60 nationally).

3:30 PM - #63 Missouri State @ #21 Loyola-Chicago - CBS Sports Network

Led by junior wing Isaiah Mosley (20.2 ppg) and 6'8 big Gaige Prim (13.9p, 8.2r), Missouri State has supplanted Drake as the 2nd best team in the MVC.

Both teams rank in the top-35 in offensive efficiency and top-15 in shooting efficiency, but Loyola-Chicago has the edge defensively (KP 46 vs 125). An elite defender, fifth year senior Lucas Williamson has stepped offensively leading the Ramblers with 12.5 ppg. Seven Ramblers average between 7.6-12.5 ppg.

4 PM - #43 UAB @ #78 Louisiana Tech - Stadium

Both teams rank in the top-100 nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Led by Andy Kennedy, UAB has five high-major transfers in their rotation led by Seton Hall commit Jordan Walker (16.9 ppg). UAB's offense is top-30 in offensive rebounding, 3p% and prevention of turnovers while their defense is top-40 in both turnover % and effective fg%.

Louisiana Tech rosters five 10+ ppg scorers led by 6'7 275 sophomore Kenneth Lofton (16.5p, 10.5r) but UAB's 7'0 260 former Clemson big Trey Jemison is a capable defender.

7 PM - #102 Furman @ #96 Wofford - ESPN+

Whenever Furman, Wofford or Chattanooga play each other, it's usually a great game. Two top-60 offenses that are top-25 shooting teams.

Wofford is led by their inside/out duo of former USF big BJ Mack (15.9 ppg) and sophomore shooting guard Max Klesmit (15.5p). Furman is led by three 15 ppg scorers, senior forward Jalen Slawson (15p, 7.7r) and their senior backcourt of Mike Bothwell and Alex Hunter (combined 31.1p, 6.4a).

If you like well coached offenses and a lot of scoring, you'll love this game.

9:30 PM - #46 Boise State @ #33 San Diego State - CBS Sports Network

My Sunday morning coffee game.

Two elite defenses (both top-15) battle it out and overall the MWC has been excellent this year.

Boise State plays BIG. Their seven man rotation is 6'2, 6'5, 6'7, 6'7, 6'7, 6'8 and 6'10, which helps them rank 6th in the nation in defensive rebounding. Continuing the tradition of Derrick Alston Jr, 6'8 210 Emmanuel Akot is their "point forward".

San Diego State has been led by bruising 6'4 220 guard Matt Bradley (15.8 ppg), the former Cal star. Collectively, SDSU ranks top-10 in BOTH 2p and 3p D.

Will be a tough, physical battle!

'Led by 6'7 260 senior Gavin Mensmil (14.5 ppg), the Lumberjacks...'
ok, that's sum good mulch right thar. lol. im bettin that he's a 'ground guy' and not a 'climber.'

had to do it.


do they all wish that they were a girly. just like their dear papa's?

 

[ucp990411]

I go to a few Vermont games every year and while they are pretty good I do not think this is one of their better teams. Probably will make the tournament because the league is down this year,

 

[shizzle787]

Update:
Vermont (13-4)
UAB (16-4)
LaTech (15-4)
North Texas (13-4)
Cleveland State (13-4)
Princeton (15-3)
Iona (16-3)
Toledo (15-4)
Ohio (14-3)
Norfolk State (13-4)
Wagner (12-2)
Murray State (17-2)
Chattanooga (16-4)
South Dakota State (17-4)
Seattle (15-4)
New Mexico State (16-3)
Grand Canyon (14-4)

 

[karstenkibbe]

I doubt their solid conference performance will have much of an impact on our NET or KenPom rankings but Binghamton is now in second place behind UVM in the AE. My alma mater has been a perennial AE doormat since former Georgetown and Maryland assistant Kevin Broadus broke a bunch of NCAA rules and took Binghamton to its only NCAA appearance in 2009.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I doubt their solid conference performance will have much of an impact on our NET or KenPom rankings but Binghamton is now in second place behind UVM in the AE. My alma mater has been a perennial AE doormat since former Georgetown and Maryland assistant Kevin Broadus broke a bunch of NCAA rules and took Binghamton to its only NCAA appearance in 2009.

My wife is 1/4 Icelandic so I enjoy following the stats of Icelandic college basketball players.

Shout out to Binghamton’s Hakon Hjalmarsson, who has been a solid rotation piece for them.

 

[imno1]

My wife is 1/4 Icelandic so I enjoy following the stats of Icelandic college basketball players.

Shout out to Binghamton’s Hakon Hjalmarsson, who has been a solid rotation piece for them.

I also like to follow Icelandic players. Mostly because it doesn’t take up much of my time.

 

[auror]

VCU avenges their loss and snaps Davidson's 15 game winning streak @Davidson.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

For those of you with ESPN+ and a Friday itch to distract yourself from work this afternoon, Colgate plays Boston University at 2 PM.

According to KenPom, both teams are within the top-three of the Patriot and amongst the top-half of the national rankings. Both teams are also offensively inclined (both rank in the top-130), but defensively meh (both rank 200+ in defensive efficiency), so should be a high scoring game.

New Haven born and St. Luke's alum Walter Whyte is onto the fourth year of his very solid tenure at BU, with 1088 career points and a versatile big wing game.

I'll be watching during my study hall duty!

 

[Dogman69]

On the topic of Mid-Majors... Providence is having a dream season.

 

[Get a Job]

For those of you with ESPN+ and a Friday itch to distract yourself from work this afternoon, Colgate plays Boston University at 2 PM.

According to KenPom, both teams are within the top-three of the Patriot and amongst the top-half of the national rankings. Both teams are also offensively inclined (both rank in the top-130), but defensively meh (both rank 200+ in defensive efficiency), so should be a high scoring game.

New Haven born and St. Luke's alum Walter Whyte is onto the fourth year of his very solid tenure at BU, with 1088 career points and a versatile big wing game.

I'll be watching during my study hall duty!

 

[Hey Adrien!]

If you're looking to watch a potentially really good game in between the noon college basketball games and football, Drake is hosting Loyola-Chicago at 2 PM on ESPN2.

Drake, currently ranked #99 on KenPom, is underperforming a little bit as they were poised to be the top threat to take Loyola-Chicago off the MVC crown. Still, they are 15-6 and 6-2 in the MVC, so good chance this will be a good one in the always vibrant Drake home court.

 

[shizzle787]

Update:
Vermont (15-4)
North Texas (15-4)
Cleveland State (15-4)
Princeton (15-4)
Iona (17-3)
Toledo (17-4)
Norfolk State (15-4)
Wagner (13-2)
Murray State (20-2)
Chattanooga (18-4)
SDSU (19-4)
Seattle (17-4)
NMSU (17-3)

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I caught the Wyoming @ Fresno State game last night and Wyoming looks like a legit tournament contender. High-major size led by 6’7 point guard Hunter Maldonado and 6’9 250 big Graham Ike. Combined, the two average 39 ppg.

They run a steady, poised and efficient offense while their defense wreaks havoc on the perimeter with all their length.

The MWC is so freaking good this year.

 

[gtcam]

I caught the Wyoming @ Fresno State game last night and Wyoming looks like a legit tournament contender. High-major size led by 6’7 point guard Hunter Maldonado and 6’9 250 big Graham Ike. Combined, the two average 39 ppg.

They run a steady, poised and efficient offense while their defense wreaks havoc on the perimeter with all their length.

The MWC is so freaking good this year.

Agreed
Wyoming will cause some teams real problems

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Saturday's Mid-Major Watch Guide:


2 PM-


#67 Chattanooga @ #68 Furman (KenPom's 9th best game today) - ESPN+

Wofford was in the mix, but these two teams are now clearly the best two teams in the SoCon (12th best conference per KenPom). Chattanooga is one of my favorite sleepers should they make the tournament.

Player to watch: Chattanooga junior guard Malachi Smith, 6'4 205, 20.5p, 6.4r, 3.2a, 1.8s, 50.3 fg%, 40 3p%


4 PM -


#28 Murray State @ #110 Morehead State - ESPN+ (KenPom's 10th best game today)

Morehead State was the OVC champs last year and are clearly the #3 team in the OVC behind Murray State and Belmont. The game features 4/5ths of KenPom's OVC conference all-kenpom team:

Player to watch: Murray State's junior guard Tevin Brown, 6'5 175, 17p, 5.6r, 3.4a, 1.4s, 43.4 fg%, 39.6 3p%

#88 New Mexico State @ #118 Utah Valley - ESPN+ (KenPom's 19th best game today)

The WAC has made impressive strides to become a solid mid-major conference (14th best conference) thanks to teams like Utah Valley stepping it up. NMSU is still the cream of the crop.

Player to watch: Utah Valley's junior big Fardaws Aimaq, 6'11 245, 18.9p, 13.2r, 1.3b, 48.2 fg%, 40% 3p%

6 PM -

#36 San Francisco @ #65 Santa Clara - Streamable on WCC website, and possibly on Stadium (KenPom's 5th best game today).

San Francisco is arguably my favorite mid-major this year thanks to their fifth-year stud guard Jamaree Bouyea, Belarusian fifth-year bruiser Yauhen Massalski and their cavalcade of smooth shooters. The WCC has five good teams, with Santa Clara being the most surprising of those five.

Player to watch: Santa Clara's junior wing Jalen Williams, 6'6 195, 18.1p, 3.8r, 3.7a, 52.3 fg%,41 3p%

11 PM - Sunday Morning Coffee Game

#19 Saint Mary’s @ #1 Gonzaga - ESPN2

If Saint Mary's is good, I love catching this game first thing on Sunday Morning. Saint Mary's has essentially the same team as last year, and while their defense is still elite what makes them so much better this year is their massive improvement on shooting (29.4 3p% & 50.1 2p% last year vs 35.8 3p% & 52.9 2p% this year).

Player to watch: Chet Holmgren. Obvious choice. Until now, I haven't really paid attention to his stats, but they are pretty unreal:

14.6p, 9.1r, 2a, 3.3b, 75.9 2p%, 46.5 3p% in just 25.5 mpg.

I'll try to spend as much time as possible outside today, but these are the games I'll be checking in on and watching if/when I'm home. Enjoy your Saturday!!

 

[karstenkibbe]

They aren’t a mid-major. In fact, they aren’t even D1, but what JC started and Glenn Miller is now running, is turning into serious success in D3. St. Joseph’s went into tonight ranked #5 and were undefeated at 22-0. But Yeshiva got hot in the second half and beat them. I know it’s D3, but man, watching two skilled teams that can flat out shoot the rock… what a pleasure to watch.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I caught the Wyoming @ Fresno State game last night and Wyoming looks like a legit tournament contender. High-major size led by 6’7 point guard Hunter Maldonado and 6’9 250 big Graham Ike. Combined, the two average 39 ppg.

They run a steady, poised and efficient offense while their defense wreaks havoc on the perimeter with all their length.

The MWC is so freaking good this year.

I think if Murray State gets the front court depth they need with the return of Jordan Skipper-Brown they could become a real problem. Obviously the committee will pair #2 seed Kentucky with #7 seed Murray. Murray should get a 6 seed if they win out to the OVC final. Most likely they suffer the fate of Wofford in 2019 when Wofford was #18 in KP and got that #7 seed and lost in the second round to Kentucky.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I think if Murray State gets the front court depth they need with the return of Jordan Skipper-Brown they could become a real problem. Obviously the committee will pair #2 seed Kentucky with #7 seed Murray. Murray should get a 6 seed if they win out to the OVC final. Most likely they suffer the fate of Wofford in 2019 when Wofford was #18 in KP and got that #7 seed and lost in the second round to Kentucky.

What are your thoughts?

Good question. If the tournament were today, anything higher than 7 would be idiotic. IF they win out, they'll be probably a 4 or 5, however, I'd imagine they'll lose one game, especially if they play Belmont twice between the regular season and the OVC tournament.

Murray State is a very unique mid-major team as in they profile as the type of team that does well in tournaments:

• old (top two players are seniors),
• comfortable playing slow (219th in overall pace)
• and they have a cold-blooded legit three-level bucket-getter who can get to the line (Tevin Brown).

Most good mid-majors tend to lean heavily towards one style which creates a detriment on something else. For example, the Wofford team you mentioned was an insanely strong three-point shooting team, but their interior defense was bad (197th in nation).

However, if you look at Murray State's metrics, they are an incredibly balanced team with their only weakness being ft%:

When you compare their metrics to a similarly ranked high-major team, like Michigan State, you see way more imbalance: in their case, awful turnover ratio and bad interior offense:

On that note, Murray State on paper looks like a team that can go very far. I do agree that, as you mentioned @BLUEDOGHOUSE, I'd like to see Jordan Skipper-Brown play a few games before the tournament because without him, their depth is basically just three players. Star big KJ Williams is holding it down, but South Carolina transfer Trae Hannibal has been their backup 4 w/ JSB out and at 6'2 220 that's not the size I want at the 4 (even though Hannibal is a really fun player to watch. He reminds me a bit of Dylan Addae-Wusu). He's better off as wing depth and he's a capable backup point guard.

Big game Thursday with Belmont visiting Murray State. 9 PM on ESPNU. Would love for both teams to make the tournament so Belmont winning that game increases the odds of that.