ESPN Mid-Major Power Rankings

[NDSUstudent]

Mid-Major Power Rankings No. 2

Gonzaga (9-1): The Zags hold onto the No. 1 spot despite their home loss against Illinois.
Creighton (9-1): The Bluejays crushed Akron, 77-61, Sunday for their third win in a row.
Wichita State (9-0): The undefeated Shockers are ranked 29th in defensive efficiency.
Belmont (6-2): Tough stretch for the Bruins, who face MTSU and Kansas this week.
Murray State (9-1): Ed Daniel and Isaiah Canaan have led the Racers to four consecutive wins.
Bucknell (8-1): Mike Muscala. Google him.
Middle Tennessee State (7-2): The Blue Raiders beat Ole Miss, 65-62, on Saturday.
Lehigh (8-2): The Mountain Hawks haven’t lost since Nov. 13 (78-53 at Pitt).
Saint Mary’s (7-2): Like most years, the Gaels won’t really be tested again until WCC play begins.
Illinois St. (6-3): The Redbirds’ three losses have come against teams in Ken Pomeroy’s top 100.
Ohio (7-2): The Bobcats have won just one of three games in December.
Illinois-Chicago (8-1): Seven-game winning streak includes wins against Northwestern and Colorado St.
Northern Iowa (6-3): A win against Iowa on Saturday would be Panthers’ fourth in a row.
BYU (6-3): The Cougars are coming off a 61-58 win against Utah on Saturday.
North Dakota State (8-3): The Bison (62nd in defensive efficiency) are a top contender in the Summit.



http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/69880/mid-major-report-power-rankings

[bisonfan08]

Mid-Major Power Rankings No. 2

Gonzaga (9-1): The Zags hold onto the No. 1 spot despite their home loss against Illinois.
Creighton (9-1): The Bluejays crushed Akron, 77-61, Sunday for their third win in a row.
Wichita State (9-0): The undefeated Shockers are ranked 29th in defensive efficiency.
Belmont (6-2): Tough stretch for the Bruins, who face MTSU and Kansas this week.
Murray State (9-1): Ed Daniel and Isaiah Canaan have led the Racers to four consecutive wins.
Bucknell (8-1): Mike Muscala. Google him.
Middle Tennessee State (7-2): The Blue Raiders beat Ole Miss, 65-62, on Saturday.
Lehigh (8-2): The Mountain Hawks haven’t lost since Nov. 13 (78-53 at Pitt).
Saint Mary’s (7-2): Like most years, the Gaels won’t really be tested again until WCC play begins.
Illinois St. (6-3): The Redbirds’ three losses have come against teams in Ken Pomeroy’s top 100.
Ohio (7-2): The Bobcats have won just one of three games in December.
Illinois-Chicago (8-1): Seven-game winning streak includes wins against Northwestern and Colorado St.
Northern Iowa (6-3): A win against Iowa on Saturday would be Panthers’ fourth in a row.
BYU (6-3): The Cougars are coming off a 61-58 win against Utah on Saturday.
North Dakota State (8-3): The Bison (62nd in defensive efficiency) are a top contender in the Summit.



http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/69880/mid-major-report-power-rankings

I like that we are starting to get some respect this season, looks like the bunny love has run it's course. Hope to stay in the top 15 if not get in the top 10 of this list this season.

[mnriverbison]

It's cool to get some love, but I'd love to see us score the #1 seed and avoid a 2v3 matchup in the conference semis.

[NDSUstudent]

Mid-Major Power Rankings No. 3

1. Gonzaga (13-1) -- A 69-68 win at No. 22 Oklahoma State was the fourth in a row for the Zags, who are 5-0 against the Big 12 and finished in a first-place tie in this week's poll.

1. Creighton (13-1) -- The Missouri Valley won’t be easy for Creighton, which squeezed by Illinois State on Wednesday and has a stiff challenge from Indiana State next.

3. Wichita State (13-1) -- Down three starters, this team still rocked Northern Iowa. The Shockers will compete for the MVC title if Carl Hall gets healthy soon.

4. Bucknell (13-2) -- The Bison have won eight of nine and face No. 12 Missouri on Saturday, a real chance for Mike Muscala to shine in the national spotlight.

5. Middle Tennessee (11-3) -- The Blue Raiders have beaten Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Central Florida and certainly have to be considered the favorites in the Sun Belt.

6. Saint Mary’s (11-3) -- The Gaels, who have won three straight after rallying against Harvard, are the only WCC team that might challenge the Zags.

7. Belmont (9-4) -- The Bruins have won four of their past six and look like the Ohio Valley's best team, although the next team will have something to say about that.

8. Murray State (9-3) -- The Racers might disagree, but two consecutive losses after six straight wins has brought them back to earth a bit.

9. Lehigh (9-3) -- A stunning 80-79 loss to Bryant on Saturday was the team’s first since mid-November. Not something you'd expect from a team with the nation's leading scorer.

10. Utah State (11-1) -- Hard to tell with USU. The Aggies have faced a mediocre nonconference schedule, so the WAC will be the real test.

11. BYU (10-4) -- Tyler Haws (20.9 ppg) has led BYU to five wins in their past six games and scored 41 against Virginia Tech.

12. North Dakota State (11-3) -- NDSU earned credibility with Saturday's win versus rival South Dakota State. The Summit League race with the Jackrabbits will be a dog fight.

13. Stephen F. Austin (10-1) -- After a strong start, the Lumberjacks (who own a win at Oklahoma) are the favorites to win the Southland.

13. Indiana State (9-4) -- Three-game winning streak includes a Christmas Day win against Miami at the Diamond Head Classic. That came after a victory over Ole Miss.

15. Santa Clara (12-3) -- The Broncos have won seven of their past eight and gave Duke all they could handle over the weekend.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/71524/mid-major-report-power-rankings-3

[Hammerhead]

Sagarin has NDSU at #45 of all D-1 teams and #6 among those mid-major teams in ESPN's power rankings.

That's not too shabby having football and men's basketball in the top 50 at the same time.

[NDSUstudent]

Gonzaga (15-1, 2-0 WCC) – There’s a big gap between the Zags and the rest of the WCC.
Creighton (15-1, 4-0 MVC) – Wichita State is its only real competition in the MVC, it seems.
Wichita State (15-1, 4-0 MVC) – The Shockers have won six in a row without injured senior Carl Hall.
Bucknell (13-3) – The Bison went down fighting in a weekend loss at No. 10 Missouri.
Saint Mary’s (12-3, 1-0 WCC) – Gaels can make a huge statement with a Thursday win at Gonzaga.
Utah State (13-1, 4-0 WAC) – Aggies haven’t lost since Nov. 15 (67-58 vs. Saint Mary’s).
Belmont (11-4, 2-0 OVC) – Belmont continues to assert itself in its new league.
BYU (12-4, 2-0 WCC) – Cougars anxious to prove that Zags, Gaels not only contenders.
Middle Tennessee (12-4, 4-1 Sun Belt) – Arkansas State handed MTSU first league loss last week.
North Dakota State (13-3, 4-0 Summit) – The Bison have won five in a row.
(Tie) Murray State (11-4, 2-1 OVC) – Racers suffered home loss to Eastern Kentucky Wednesday. Stephen F. Austin (12-1, 3-0 Southland) – Seven-game winning streak includes ‘W’ over Oklahoma.
Lehigh (10-4) – This squad can only hope that C.J. McCollum is ready for Patriot League tourney.
Santa Clara (12-4, 1-1 WCC) – The Broncos have won seven of their last nine games.
(Tie) Eastern Kentucky (13-3, 3-0 OVC) – The Colonels crashed the OVC race with an upset at Murray State. Akron (10-4, 1-0 MAC) – The Zips, who’ve won six straight, will battle Ohio for MAC’s east title.


http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/72200/mid-major-report-power-rankings-4

[NDSUstudent]

Mid-Major Power Rankings No. 5

Gonzaga (16-1, 3-0 WCC) -- This might be the best Bulldogs team in Mark Few’s tenure.
Creighton (17-1, 6-0 MVC) -- Doug McDermott should top your ballot for national POY.
Bucknell (15-3, 2-0 Patriot) -- Does Mike Muscala (19.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg) deserve consideration, too?
Wichita State (16-2, 5-1 MVC) -- Carl Hall returns in time for weekend clash against Creighton.
Belmont (13-4, 4-0 OVC) -- Bruins have won six of their past seven games.
Saint Mary’s (14-4, 3-1 WCC) -- Matthew Dellavedova. Buzzer-beater. That’s all.
BYU (14-5, 4-1 WCC) -- Suffered tough loss to Gaels, but thanks for the drama.
Utah State (14-1, 5-0 WAC) -- Somehow, Aggies have quietly won 13 in a row.
Stephen F. Austin (14-1, 5-0 Southland) -- Taylor Smith (15.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.4 bpg) is underrated.
Middle Tennessee State (14-4, 6-1 Sun Belt) -- Blue Raiders have won three in a row.
North Dakota State (15-3, 6-0 Summit) -- Taylor Braun changes everything for Bison.
Akron (12-4, 3-0 MAC) -- Zips have won eight in a row via Zeke Marshall’s D (3.4 bpg).
Murray State (12-4, 3-1 OVC) -- Isaiah Canaan (21.9 ppg) still one of America’s best guards.
Eastern Kentucky (14-3, 4-0 OVC) -- Big battle with Belmont on Thursday night.
Lehigh (15-3, 2-0 Patriot) -- Mountain Hawks won first two league games without C.J. McCollum.




Taylor Braun, North Dakota State’s top scorer (15.2 ppg), was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot earlier this week. The junior could miss up to six weeks. He suffered the injury during a weekend victory over Oakland. It’s a significant development in the Summit League. Braun’s production was critical for a program that’s ranked 45th in adjusted offensive efficiency per Pomeroy. Now, a Western Illinois team with a 6-0 conference record and a South Dakota State squad that’s won three of four since suffering a loss to NDSU in its Summit League opener could move to the top of the standings in the coming weeks.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/73010/mid-major-report-power-rankings-5

[NDSUstudent]

Mid-Major Power Rankings No. 6:

Gonzaga (17-2, 4-0 WCC) -- Zags will face BYU Thursday after tough loss at Butler last weekend.
Wichita State (18-2, 7-1 MVC) -- Carl Hall's return elevates the Shockers’ ceiling.
Creighton (17-3, 6-2 MVC) -- The Bluejays have lost two consecutive tough games.
Belmont (15-4, 6-0 OVC) -- The Bruins are ranked 34th in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Saint Mary’s (15-4, 4-1 WCC) -- The Gaels have won seven of their past eight games.
Bucknell (16-4, 3-1 Patriot League) -- Suffered a three-point loss to rival Lehigh on Wednesday.
BYU (15-5, 5-1 WCC) -- A win at Gonzaga would change the WCC title conversation.
Middle Tennessee (16-4, 8-1 Sun Belt) -- The Blue Raiders are 31st in the nation in defensive efficiency (among nearly 350 schools).
Lehigh (14-4, 4-0 Patriot) -- Without star senior C.J. McCollum, Lehigh beat Bucknell to ascend to first place in the conference.
Stephen F. Austin (16-1, 7-0 Southland) -- The Lumberjacks haven’t lost since Dec. 5.
Murray State (14-4, 5-1 OVC) -- Defensive gaps could prove to be problematic going forward.
Akron (14-4, 5-0 MAC) -- Zips have four players averaging 9.0 points per game or more.
North Dakota State (16-4, 7-1 Summit) -- Bison still fighting without injured star Taylor Braun.
Valparaiso (16-5, 6-1 Horizon) -- The Crusaders are in first place after winning six in a row.
Utah State (14-3, 5-2 WAC) -- Crucial injuries will make Aggies’ pursuit of a WAC title difficult.


http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/73820/mid-major-report-power-rankings-6