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Mid-Majors Top 25 Basketball Preview: Gonzaga Leads Pack

· Nov 02 - 4 minutes read

The college basketball season is nearly upon us, with the first basketball polls already getting released.

Although the teams in the Power 5 Conferences typically get plenty of love, there are always some outside of those big-name conferences that are regulars in the postseason. That is reflected in both the Associated Press Top 25 poll and the NCAAB lines.

Mid-Majors Top 25 Basketball Preview: Gonzaga Leads Pack — Anton Watson #22 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs | Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP

We continue our series of men’s basketball conference previews with a look at fourth mid-major programs that are ranked in the AP Top 25.

1-2 Punch in West Coast Conference

The West Coast Conference has been represented in the polls and tournament for years now with Gonzaga’s run, but the rise of Saint Mary’s has added competition for the conference crown.

Both the Bulldogs and the Gaels begin the season ranked in the Top 25. Although Gonzaga is ranked higher, NCAAB predictions have Saint Mary’s pegged to claim the West Coast Conference crown.

Gonzaga finally saw the departure of longtime leading scorer Drew Timme after last season’s NCAA Tournament. Timme led the team last season with 21.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Also gone are starters Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton, who took their double-digit scoring with them.

In their place are transfers Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike, the former of whom was one of the top transfers in the portal after helping lead Creighton to the Elite Eight. Nembhard averaged 12.1 points and 4.8 assists last season and will look to make an immediate impact at his new school. Ike, meanwhile, averaged 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2021-22 at Wyoming before an injury sidelined him last season.

Together, the two will look to join forces with Gonzaga’s only two returning starters in Anton Watson and Nolan Hickman to compete for the West Coast Conference title once again.

The Bulldogs may have reigned the WCC for years, but Saint Mary’s has the best chance to derail Gonzaga after two of its three leading scorers returned this season.

Aidan Mahoney returns after a strong freshman campaign in which he was second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.9 points on 40% shooting from three. Alex Ducas will also join Mahoney in the backcourt as he opted to return for his fifth year. Ducas was the Gaels’ third-leading scorer a season ago, averaging 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds, and the duo should help make Saint Mary’s a threat once again.

The Gaels return three of their five starters from a season ago with Mahoney, Ducas and Mitchell Saxon. Despite college basketball expert picks taking them to win the WCC title, NCAA basketball odds still have them as the second favorite to win behind Gonzaga with +130 odds.

Outside of the West Coast Conference, San Diego State also made the Top 25 and has the potential to make some noise again this season after their run to the national championship game last season.

The Aztecs are the favorite to win the Mountain West Conference with +140 odds from the sportsbook, but making another deep run in the tournament is unlikely as they have +2000 odds to reach the Final Four this season.

Five of San Diego State’s nine-man rotation is gone, including leading scorer Matt Bradley and leading rebounder Nathan Mensah.

However, of the returning four, three were the next leading scorers on the team in Darrion Trammell, Lamont Butler and Jaedon LeDee. Head coach Brian Dutcher added players through the portal as well.

Campbell transfer Jay Pal and USC transfer Reese Waters will hope to mix with SDSU’s returning core four to make noise in the Mountain West and make more magic in the postseason.

Not to be forgotten when looking at the poll is Florida Atlantic, who busted quite a few brackets last season with its run to the Final Four.

With all but one player back and head coach Dusty May returning to the Owls from that historic run last season, FAU should be in good shape, which could be why it begins the season ranked No. 10 in the polls.

The Owls are also beginning the season in a new conference in the American Athletic Conference. However, in spite of increased competition, with three double-digit scorers back in juniors Johnell Davis, Alijah Martin and Vladislav Goldin, Florida Atlantic is still the favorite to win the conference.

College basketball season is almost here, and whether you’re betting on your favorite team or favorite conference, don’t forget to make your college basketball predictions before the season tips off in a week.