Note: this is a mid-major Top 25 from ONLY traditional one bid leagues, (does not include A10, AAC, MWC or WCC)
Why are they here?
1) Drake: who had a better week than the Bulldogs? Drake won the Charleston classic with three impressive victories over Miami (by 11), FAU (by 12) and an improved Vanderbilt (by 11). At this point in the young season, this is the best mid-major on this list, with four starters who were in D2 a year ago.
2) UC Irvine: the Anteaters continued to roll. The win at Weber State over the weekend was its first win by less than 15 points, and the true first test of the season comes this week at the Western Slam against Kennesaw, Kent State and Towson.
3) Columbia: the Lions are 7-0 for the first time since 1969. Nothing else to say about it, that is outstanding. Columbia still has that road win over Villanova to hold its hat on, and looked great over the weekend in its 19 point win over Stony Brook.
4) Liberty: at the time of this article, the Flames are headed to the Paradise Jam title game after weekend wins over Kansas State and Louisiana. Its only loss on the year was in OT by three to FAU on a neutral floor. A win on Monday, 11/25, and Liberty could rise even further on this list.
5) LA Tech: the Bulldogs did not play a D1 opponent in the last week, but what it has done to this point keeps them here. The Gulf Coast Showcase is to come this week for Louisiana Tech to continue to strengthen its resume.
6) Furman: the Paladins continued to look impressive in its blowout road win over Charleston Southern. Interesting note, Charleston Southern has the smallest basketball venue in D1. Furman has an intriguing game vs Seattle on Tuesday before it gets a shot at Kansas on Saturday. A big week ahead.
7) Arkansas State: Similar to LA tech, Arkansas State did not play a D1 team this week, but what it has done to this point keeps them in the Top 10. Three games this week against Indiana State, Rice and Hofstra will show us more.
8) Bradley: the Braves won the Myrtle Beach Invitational over the weekend, defeating Texas State, Wright State and Middle Tennessee. Bradley has really rebounded after Washington State handled them a few weeks ago. This is a well coached, complete team. Very fun to watch.
9) Kennesaw State: the Owls hosted Rutgers at its home gym on Sunday. Shoutout first to Rutgers for scheduling that game, well done. Kennesaw got up big on the Scarlet Knights, and led by 18 at the half. For most of the second half, the lead remained 9+ until late. Huge for the community. Kennesaw State has a close road loss to Cal Baptist, which on its own is not bad, but is why KSU is not higher today.
10) Northern Colorado: the Bears are good. As of 11/25, this is the clear best team in the Big Sky. Its two losses were highly competitive against Colorado and Wazzu, both on the road. It won at CBU and put 114 points on PVAMU this week to continue its run. Watch this team.
11) McNeese: the Cowboys are beginning to play as many expected. McNeese is headed to the Paradise Jam title game at the time of this article, and will play aforementioned Liberty on Monday. To get there wins over Illinois State and Longwood were earned, and McNeese also picked up a win over a good North Texas team on 11/19.
12) Hofstra: the Pride went 0-2 this week, which sees it fall a bit here. However, the losses were on the road to Florida State and Houston. Hofstra hung with FSU a bit in the first half, and bounced back in a major way in its second half against Houston. This team has played a tough schedule and has multiple good wins to show for it, even with the winless week.
13) UC San Diego: UCSD played three games this week, all at the Boardwalk Battle, as it won the MTE. Wins over La Salle, James Madison, and Toledo were compiled in a three day span. All of those are notable of the mid major variety. The Tritons also played San Diego State very close in its season opener, and is among the top teams in a fun Big West.
14) South Dakota State: D1 wins over Southern Miss and Duquesne, one away from home, summarize the week for the Jacks. 5-1 so far, and play Boise State in the semifinals of the Cayman Islands Classic. An opportunity to display its full ceiling and add to a resume that already has a win over McNeese.
15) North Florida: a loss to UNC Asheville at home sees the Ospreys fall outside the Top 5 here. North Florida has its wins over South Carolina and Georgia Tech on the road, and were mostly competitive with Georgia which will keep UNF inside the Top 15.
16) UC Davis: another Big West team to monitor. UC Davis' week was highlighted by winning at GCU, one of the toughest basketball road environments in the country. It did so without TY Johnson doing much in the scoring department in the second half, a sign of depth for the Aggies.
17) Missouri State: the Bears did not get off to the greatest start in the preseason, but immediately began the season taking Butler to the brink on the road, and have not lost since. On Sunday, MO State opened its Cayman Islands Classic journey with an upset over High Point, a group many regard as one of the best mid-majors. If Missouri State can continue a run in this MTE, it will rise even higher.
18) Belmont: Bruins won at home over Oral Roberts, a game it came back from 17 points down in. Its lone loss, a close one at home to Furman, is a performance that is also aging well. A trip to Mexico for the Cancun Challenge awaits this week.
19) Jacksonville: the Dolphins upset Virginia Tech in Blacksburg this week in a massive win for the program. How many upsets will the ASun pull off? Jacksonville also played Furman well on the road for most of the game earlier this season.
20) GCU: Grand Canyon was upset at home by UC Davis earlier in the week. The immediate bounce back win over Norfolk State helps matters, but talent wise the Lopes are better than 20th here. More opportunities remain to prove that.
21) High Point: HPU was defeated in its opening game of the Cayman Islands Classic on Sunday, a loss to Missouri State. The Panthers are a fun basketball team with many capable shooters, but as others around them begin to compile good wins, High Point will need to add to its UAB win, and will have some chances to do so this week.
22) Charleston: CofC have looked good, have one of the best players in the country, and own many solid wins. However, its two losses have been blowouts, the latest Sunday morning at Rhode Islands. The wins are enough to remain here, but a quick bounce back is paramount.
23) Austin Peay: in the Govs only game this week, it lost on the road to Morehead State. APU has a road win at Butler and defeated Chattanooga, enough to be a Top 25 team here, but a positive Jacksonville Classic is advised.
24) Elon: in its opening game, the Phoenix gave North Carolina quite a fight for most of the night. It suffered a loss to Gardner-Webb since then, but won at Notre Dame this week to showcase its full potential.
25) Utah Valley: its one game this week was a road win over a good Murray State team who was ranked here last week. The Wolverines also have a win over UTEP, who has looked better of late. The Samford Thanksgiving Invitational looms this week to add to its resume and rise up the rankings.
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