Mid-Major Top 25: Murray State Still No. 1, Davidson Enters After Stunning Kansas
Murray State, the top-ranked mid-major in the nation for a second straight week, is one of just six undefeated teams remaining in college basketball.
1. MURRAY STATE (13-0, 1-0) (1)
The Racers are now one of just six unbeatens remaining in college basketball.
2. HARVARD (9-1) (2)
The 24th-ranked Crimson return to the floor after a 12-day break for exams on Thursday night against a
3. OHIO (10-1, 2-0) (4)
Ohio continues to be perhaps the biggest surprise in mid-major basketball after going on the road and obliterating Northern Iowa by 17. The Panthers sat in this spot a week ago.
4. CREIGHTON (9-1) (5)
Doug McDermott is the nation's second-leading scorer (25.2 ppg) and would probably be a first team All-American if the season ended today.
5. WICHITA STATE (9-2) (6)
The Shockers’ only game since last we met was a 102-53 victory over Newman. I’m not going to do what everyone thinks I’m going to do here and make a Seinfeld joke. I want to, but I’m not. It’s simply a matter of love and respect.
6. GONZAGA (8-2) (7)
The ‘Zags continued to bolster their non-conference resume with a 71-55 win over Butler on Tuesday. That’s a big deal considering a maximum two or three loss WCC season is absolutely not a guarantee this year.
7. SAINT MARY’S (10-1) (9)
The Gaels have been cruising since Thanksgiving, but that stops on Thursday night when they travel to face No. 7 Baylor.
8. IONA (10-2) (10)
Iona currently sits at No. 10 in the RPI rankings, but received nary a top 25 vote from either the coaches or the Associated Press this past week.
9. DENVER (9-2) (11)
They’re not exactly drawing Tebow-esque attention in the Mile High state, but the Pioneers are finally starting to turn some heads out West after an 11-point win over then 11-1 Wyoming.
10. NORTHERN IOWA (10-2) (3)
When the Panthers lose, they do it big. NIU’s only losses this season have come to Saint Mary’s by 16 and now Ohio by 17. They’ve gone from No. 10 to No. 3 and now back to No. 10 in the past three weeks.
11. CLEVELAND STATE (10-2, 2-0) (8)
It’s rare that you’ll see a team in these rankings punished more than a sport or two for losing to a Big East team on the road, but a 15-point loss at South Florida is an exception.
12. BYU (9-3) (13)
The Cougars fell by three to No. 7 Baylor but had to have been impressed by the debut of point guard Matt Carlino. The UCLA transfer hit four threes and scored 18 points, a development that could really help open things up for Brandon Davies.
13. MIDDLE TENNESSEE (11-2) (14)
MTSU head coach Kermit Davis can tie the school’s all-time record for wins with a victory at Ole Miss on Wednesday. It would also provide a huge resume boost for the Blue Raiders heading into Sun Belt play.
14. INDIANA STATE (9-2) (21)
The Sycamores head into league play on a three-game winning streak that includes a six-point triumph at then-No. 25 Vanderbilt.
15. COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (9-2, 2-0) (18)
The 9-2 Cougars gave Louisville all it could handle on Tuesday night, and their eight-point win over LSU looks much better after the Tigers knocked No. 10 from the ranks of the unbeatens earlier this week.
16. KENT STATE (8-2) (12)
The Golden Flashes will end a three games in three days stretch on Thursday at Utah State. That’s not exactly ideal, but it would be a nice resume win to go along with their triumph at West Virginia to start the season.
17. VCU (8-3, 1-0) (17)
VCU’s 68-49 dismantling of UAB was their fifth-straight win by ten points or more.
18. LONG BEACH STATE (4-5) (20)
The Beach will take its fifth shot at a ranked opponent Thursday night against Xavier.
19. OAKLAND (8-5, 2-0) (24)
The Golden Grizzlies took one of two on a difficult two-game road trip that included Arizona and Valparaiso. That has to be considered a victory.
20. MILWAUKEE (9-3, 2-0) (NR)
On Thursday, the Panthers begin a brutal four-game road stretch that includes trip to Marquette, Butler and Valpo.
21. COASTAL CAROLINA (9-2, 2-0) (19)
The Chants were dealt a surprising 25-point loss at East Carolina in a game where they appeared significantly physically inferior. Coastal had 19 turnovers, which led to 26 ECU points, and they shot just 36.4 percent from the field in a rare slugglish offensive performance for a team that came in averaging 81.1 points per game.
22. UCSB (5-4) (16)
Gauchos star Orlando Johnson - the nation's No. 4 scorer at 22.4 points per game - was held to nine points in a 70-50 loss to California.
23. DAVIDSON (7-3, 2-0) (NR)
Davidson’s 80-74 win over No. 12 Kansas was no fluke. The Wildcats controlled the game for 40 minutes and totally outplayed a squad that appeared to have a significant edge in every area on paper.
24. BELMONT (8-5, 2-0) (15)
The darlings of November have suddenly dropped three of five, including a five-point loss to a 3-5 Miami of Ohio team that had lost four straight.
25. LOYOLA (MD) (8-2, 2-0) (23)
The Greyhounds had ripped off eight straight before a 10-point loss at St. Bonaventure. Their Thursday night game at No. 3 Kentucky will be their fifth straight away from home.
DROPPED OUT:
Campbell (23), Weber State (25)
