College basketball's preseason AP Poll is out, and just like last year, it's dominated by the usual suspects from the power conferences. Mid-major teams, with the notable exception of Gonzaga, are once again on the outside looking in. Is college basketball destined to be a sport of haves and have-nots? It often feels that way, but every year, a few underdogs defy expectations, clawing their way into the national spotlight. These are the teams that make March Madness truly mad. As we gear up for another exciting season, let's shine a light on five non-power conference teams that deserve your attention and could very well crash the Top 25 party this year.
San Diego State Aztecs: The Mid-Major Gold Standard
When you talk about mid-major success, the San Diego State Aztecs are the team that immediately comes to mind. KenPom, the highly respected college basketball analytics site, ranks the Aztecs No. 30 to start the season – the highest of any non-Gonzaga mid-major. Under the steady leadership of head coach Brian Dutcher, SDSU has become a model of consistency in the Mountain West Conference. They've reached the NCAA tournament in each of the past five seasons, a remarkable feat, and who can forget their thrilling run to the national championship game in 2023? They are the team everyone else is chasing, the measuring stick for mid-major excellence.
The Aztecs return two crucial starters in Miles Byrd and Magoon Gwath. Both flirted with the NBA draft this offseason, a testament to their talent, but ultimately decided they had unfinished business in college. The Aztecs remain a physical, defensive-minded team, a hallmark of Dutcher's coaching. They're a tough out for any opponent. Dutcher has a talented squad brimming with confidence that expects to hear their name called on Selection Sunday and make some serious noise in the tournament. But here's where it gets controversial... can they replicate their Final Four magic from 2023, or was that a once-in-a-generation run? Some analysts believe their reliance on defense might limit their offensive ceiling against elite competition.
George Washington Revolutionaries: Rising from the Ashes
The George Washington Revolutionaries might not be a household name in the college basketball world just yet, but there's a palpable buzz surrounding this program right now. Coach Chris Caputo is coming off a quietly impressive 21-win season in the Atlantic-10, and he's aiming to build on that momentum in the 2024-2025 season. They are hoping to establish themselves as a serious contender in the A-10 conference.
They welcome back many of their key starters and were active in the transfer portal, snagging former Northwestern center Luke Hunger, who brings much-needed size and versatility to the frontcourt. Expectations are higher than they've been in years, with the Revolutionaries ranked fourth in the Atlantic-10 preseason poll, their highest ranking since their NIT championship season way back in 2015. They boast a strong, experienced roster that can compete with the best in the conference as they set their sights on their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2014. And this is the part most people miss... the A-10 is historically a tough conference, with multiple NCAA tournament bids up for grabs each year. Can GW break through and steal one of those coveted spots?
Saint Mary's Gaels: The WCC's Silent Assassin
The Saint Mary's Gaels have become perennial contenders in the West Coast Conference alongside the juggernaut that is Gonzaga. But this year presents a new challenge: they'll need to navigate the season with a revamped roster after losing much of their key production to graduation. However, head coach Randy Bennett has a knack for getting the absolute most out of his teams, and this year should be no different. KenPom ranks the Gaels at No. 55, a testament to the program's consistent player development and Bennett's coaching prowess.
Bennett's teams are known for their discipline, efficient offense, and stifling defense. They are a well-oiled machine. It's difficult to project the ceiling of a team with so many unknowns, but it's even harder to doubt that Bennett will figure it out. Expect the Gaels to remain in the thick of the WCC race and secure another NCAA tournament bid. But here's a potential hot take: Can Saint Mary's ever truly surpass Gonzaga in the WCC hierarchy? Or are they destined to always play second fiddle?
Boise State Broncos: Mountain West Mavericks
The Boise State Broncos have quietly established themselves as a model of consistency under head coach Leon Rice. He's led the Broncos to 20 or more wins in 11 of the past 14 seasons, solidifying their status as a perennial contender in the Mountain West. Consequently, the Broncos are ranked No. 53 in the KenPom rankings to begin the season. They are a team you can reliably expect to be in the tournament conversation.
The Broncos welcome back three of their top five scorers from a 26-win season last year and also welcome UCLA transfer Dylan Andrews and Georgetown transfer Drew Fielder to bolster an already solid lineup. Despite losing their all-time leading scorer in Tyson Degenhart, the Broncos have proven they can be competitive year in and year out, and that shouldn't change this season. However, one could argue... that Boise State consistently underperforms in the NCAA tournament. Is this the year they finally break through and make a deep run?
South Florida Bulls: A New Era in Tampa
Perhaps the most intriguing team on this list is the South Florida Bulls, who will be led by a new head coach this season in Bryan Hodgson. Hodgson orchestrated a successful campaign at Arkansas State last year and brought along two key players from that squad, as well as four-star LSU transfer center Daimion Collins. He's clearly aiming to inject new life into the program.
While the coaching change led to some transfers out of the program, Hodgson has quickly assembled a deep, potentially scary roster in the American Athletic Conference. USF might not have a storied basketball legacy, but they appear to be on the rise as the AAC seems wide open this season. Can Hodgson turn USF into a basketball powerhouse? This is a bold prediction: Some analysts believe USF could be the surprise team of the year, making a leap that no one sees coming.
Every college basketball season brings new surprises, but the stories of mid-majors always add an extra layer of excitement to the sport. These programs, often operating with significantly fewer resources than their power-conference counterparts, consistently find ways to compete among the best in the nation. Whether we witness two mid-majors in the Final Four, like in 2023, or a tournament dominated by one-seeds, these smaller schools shape the integrity and compelling storylines of college basketball. Which of these teams do you think has the best shot at making a deep tournament run? Are there any other mid-majors we should be keeping an eye on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
