The parity in college basketball may be at its highest point ever. Great teams from all over the nation are representing a host of different conferences now a days. This isn't like the traditional days where the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10, SEC, and Big East would make up the entire field in the sweet sixteen.
In recent years we have seen several occasions where at least three or four mid major squads advance past their first location. 2008-2009 is stacked with mid major talent. Here is how I rank them!
For some mid-major clarification. For this poll, mid major constitutes any team that is not in the BCS conferences or Conference USA. I would have named the article Non BCS Basketball top 10 but as you can see that's not very appealing.
1. Gonzaga (5-0) (Vs Major Conference teams 3-0)
Still considered a mid-major, Gonzaga may have their best team ever. This is no longer the team that consisted of Morrison, Stepp, and Dickau. Instead super stars Heytvelt, Downsand, and Daye lead the squad. However, unlike years past, this Gonzaga team is as balanced as its ever been.
Five players are averaging double digits and Pargo is closing in at 9.6 points per game. Gonzaga also just ran off three straight wins against Oklahoma State, Maryland, and No. 12 Tennessee. Look for the Zags to go deep into the tournament this year!
2. Xavier (7-0) (Vs Major Conference Teams 4-0)
Mid Major? I'm saying yes just because they aren't part of one of the big six. Xavier is the real deal. The Musketeers already have three quality wins this season including a 63-62 thriller over Virginia Tech, and a solid five point win against No. 12 Memphis. Xavier has all the tools again this year with B.J Raymond and Derrick Brown.
Although no one stands out in terms of scoring for Xavier, the defense has been solid only giving up 60 points per game. Xavier isn't done yet either, they have Duke, LSU, Butlerand, and Cincy remaining on their schedule. How well they do against these elite teams will determine if the Musketeers can be in the prime time seeding position come March.
If they keep finding a way to win they could make a deep tourney run.
3. Davidson (5-1) (Vs Major Conference Teams 0-1)
Let's not be fooled by their loss to Oklahoma. Davidson went on the road and challenged a very talented Oklahoma team in a hostile environment. An eventual four points loss brought us back to the pre conference schedule the Wildcats went through last year.
We also know that those close losses early produced great fruit in the tournament as Davidson was a last second shot away from the Final Four. Stephen Curry is leading the NCAA in scoring at 29.2 points per game and is getting help from the supporting cast of Lovedale (14.8 ppg) and Barr (11.2 ppg.)
Davidson's five wins this year could be considered cupcakes, but their schedule heats up from here as they play NC State, West Virginia, and Purdue in three of their next four games. Look for Davidson to make another run in the tournament this year.
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