David Connelly

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The Gaels top this list amid a nine-game win streak that has put them atop the WCC at 9-0. They will face what is annually their biggest test yet in conference play in a home tilt against Gonzaga. Given their predictive metrics and the matchup's overall magnitude, the game's winner may find themselves in this top spot next week.

1. Saint Mary's (19-3)

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The aforementioned Zags have had some puzzling road performances throughout the year. They recently brought the shaky form to the Kennel in their most recent defeat against Santa Clara, where they allowed over 100 points at home in regulation for the first time under Mark Few. They can right these wrongs and really bolster their resumé with a road win over their biggest conference competitors in the Gaels.

2. Gonzaga (16-6)

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Despite being on their third head coach in as many years, Utah State continues to string together historic seasons for the program. Head coach Jerrod Calhoun has taken the reigns in Logan and steered the Aggies to a 19-2 record. They are first in the Mountain West and have built themselves into a legitimate contender to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/ian-martinez/9617">Ian Martinez</a> is a stellar guard, and teammate <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/mason-falslev/9619">Mason Falslev</a> has taken a stellar second-year leap to join him as a backcourt mate.

3. Utah State (19-2)

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As it has been for some time now under Penny Hardaway, it's impossible to make heads or tails of the Memphis Tigers. One night, they are beating Michigan State on a neutral court, the next, they are dropping a game to a middling Temple team. Their inexplicably low floor and overall inconsistency keep them from breaking into the upper echelon of these rankings, and we'll need to see a string of solid performances to elevate them.

4. Memphis (17-4)

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The non-conference was stellar from San Diego State, highlighted by an impressive showing at the Players Era Festival, where they notched wins over Creighton and Houston, which is doing a great deal for their overall resumé. One of the top defenses in the country, Brian Dutcher, once again has his Aztecs in the thick of it in the Mountain West. Three losses in their first seven games of conference play have put them slightly behind the eight-ball, but KenPom has them favored in every game except one to close out the year. They could be in the mix for the regular-season title if they finish strong.

5. San Diego State (14-5) 

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Russell Turner has UC Irvine as one of the steadiest, perennial mid-majors in the sport. Year in and year out, they remain one of the top teams in the Big West. They are constantly churning out talent, including star seven-footer <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/bent-leuchten/6967">Bent Leuchten</a>, who is tied for the sixth-most KenPom Game MVPs nationally at the end of January. They are undoubtedly the Big West favorites and have a great chance to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.

6. UC Irvine (19-3)

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If you want to see some elite shooting, the Bradley Braves should be one of your first stops. They sit in the top ten in effective field goal percentage and three-point percentage nationally, with <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/zek-montgomery/10015" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zek Montgomery</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/christian-davis/12636" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christian Davis</a> leading the way. Despite having loads of talent over the past half-decade, Brian Wardle's squad has constantly been the bridesmaid but never the bride in the Missouri Valley. Could 2025 be different?

7. Bradley (18-4)

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There may not be a more concrete, consistent system in mid-major basketball than what Ritchie McKay has instilled with Liberty. Shoot threes, deny threes, and spread the ball. These principles are why it almost doesn't matter who the Flames have on their roster as long as McKay can utilize his system to his liking. It's looking like another ho-hum season of single-digit defeats for the program, their sixth in the past eight years.

8. Liberty (17-4)

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While the Tigers have fallen drastically in the metrics since the start of the year, we still have some belief in this squad and their capabilities. Some key transfers out in the offseason may have been more impactful than expected, and at times, it feels like <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/xaivian-lee/15959">Xaivian Lee</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/caden-pierce/15954">Caden Pierce</a> are being asked to do a bit too much. Head coach Mitch Henderson only has a few more weeks to figure things out as they hope to seal a spot in the Ivy League Tournament.

9. Princeton (14-5)

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It's been more of the same for McNeese in 2025, ripping off ten straight victories to start Southland play. They have now won 29 of their previous 30 contests in the conference dating back to the start of last season. Still, there remains unfinished business in Lake Charles after suffering a drubbing at the hands of Gonzaga in the opening round of last year's NCAA Tournament. Will 2025 provide a better end to the tale for the Pokes when it comes time to dance in March?

10. McNeese (16-5)

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Discover SportsGrid's Mid-Major Power Rankings, highlighting the top under-the-radar college basketball teams making some noise ahead of March Madness.

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