Mid-Major Madness Power 15: Wheat Shockers Takeover Top Spot

1. Wichita State Wheat Shockers (8-0), 5 First Place Votes
Last Week's Rank: 3

A win over BYU in Kansas City set up another big match in the "Show Me" state as Saint Louis and Wichita State battled for the likely first place spot in our poll. A 70-65 road win over the Billikens would cement the top spot for Gregg Marshall's team. Ron Baker was on fire last week averaging 22 points in the Shockers three contests. Things will slow down in exam season for Wichita State as they won't play again until Saturday and finally return home for the first time since November 16.

Last Week: W 90-72 vs DePaul, W 75-62 vs BYU, W 70-65 at Saint Louis
This Week: 12/7 vs Oral Roberts (4-3) CBS Sports Network

2. Massachusetts Minutemen (5-0), 3 First Place Votes
LW: 4

UMass didn't even play last week, but the Minutemen jumped up all the way to the second spot in our MMM Power 15 and garnered three first place votes. Things kick back up this week with a tough one on the road against Eastern Michigan and then a weekend match up against ninth ranked team BYU. Can UMass stay towards the top or will they drop with a tough slate this week?

Last Week: Off
This Week: 12/3 at Eastern Michigan (5-1), 12/7 vs BYU (6-2)

3. Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-1), 2 First Place Votes
LW: 1

It wasn't a long stand at the top for the Gonzaga Bulldogs as they drop two spots after losing to Dayton early in the Maui Invitational. Mark Few's squad will try to defend the Kennel this week with Sim Bhullar, Dan Mullings, and the New Mexico State Aggies coming to Spokane.

Last Week: L 84-79 vs Dayton, W 113-81 at Chaminade, W 91-81 vs Arkansas, W 86-51 vs Coppin State
This Week: 12/7 vs New Mexico State (7-2) ESPNU

4. St. Mary's Gaels (6-0)
LW: 5

The other WCC making waves early this season and creeping up our MMM Power 15 are the Gaels of St. Mary's. Yes, they haven't played a road game but Brad Waldow and his teammates are undefeated against some pretty notable mid-major names including Murray State, Akron, North Dakota State, and Louisiana Tech. Another home test awaits this week against a talented Eastern Washington squad.

Last Week: W 89-64 vs Murray State
This Week: 12/8 vs Eastern Washington (5-2)

5. VCU Rams (6-2)
LW: 6

The Rams got the taste of Puerto Rico out of their mouth this week with a home win over Northeastern and a big road win over a good Belmont team. VCU also won this week without the help of Terrance Shannon and Jordan Burgess. It'll be a busy week on Broad Street with another tough OVC team on the schedule and a match up against arch-rival Old Dominion on Sunday.

Last Week: W 79-66 vs Northeastern, W 81-68 at Belmont
This Week: 12/5 vs Eastern Kentucky (6-2), 12/8 vs Old Dominion (4-3)

6. Saint Louis Billikens (6-2)
LW: 2

Jim Crews' squad could be at the top of the MMM Power 15, but the Billikens didn't seize opportunity with Wichita State in their house. Saint Louis also fell to #8 Wisconsin in Cancun, but had a win against Old Dominion. The Billikens will look to recapture some momentum this week with a game against a non-Division I opponent and a trip to Valparaiso.

Last Week: L 63-57 vs Wisconsin, W 62-52 vs Old Dominion, L 70-65 vs Wichita State
This Week: 12/3 vs Rockhurst (Non D1), 12/7 at Valparaiso (5-4) CBS Sports Network

7. Dayton Flyers (6-1)
LW: 14

The Flyers shoot up our Power 15 after an impressive week in Maui from Archie Miller's squad beating Gonzaga, Cal, and nearly knocking off Baylor. Devin Oliver and Jordan Sibert are packing a hefty 1-2 punch for the Flyers and averaging nearly 30 points per game combined. Will the hype get to the Flyers head or will they take care of business this week with a game at home and on the road?

Last Week: W 84-79 vs Gonzaga, L 67-66 vs Baylor, W 82-64 vs Cal
This Week: 12/4 vs Delaware State (1-5), 12/7 at Illinois State (3-4)

8. Charlotte 49ers (6-1)
LW: 12

It was a little slower pace for the 49ers this week away from Puerto Rico. Alan Major's squad took care of business against in-state rival UNC Asheville at home on Sunday and now get ready for two more in-state opponents, including a showdown with crosstown rival Davidson.

Last Week: W 77-56 vs UNCA
This Week: 12/4 vs Davidson (2-5), 12/8 vs Appalachian State (1-5)

9. BYU Cougars (6-2)
LW: 7

BYU continues to fall in our Power 15, this time due to a loss against Wichita State in Kansas City despite 21 points from Tyler Haws. The Cougars will get a chance to move up this week with a match up at UMass, but will need to take care of business against the Mean Green of North Texas first.

Last Week: W 86-82 vs Texas, L 75-62 vs Wichita State, W 85-74 vs Utah State 
This Week: 12/3 vs North Texas (5-3), 12/7 at UMass (6-0)

10. Harvard (6-1)
LW: 10

Harvard was missing some of their best players, but blazed through a less than inspired field to win the Great Alaskan Shootout. The Crimson better make sure they don't have jet lag with two big games against hungry crosstown rivals this week.

Last Week: W 68-60 vs Denver, W 76-64 vs Green Bay, W 71-50 vs TCU
This Week: 12/4 at Northeastern (2-5), 12/7 at Boston University (5-2)

11. Belmont Bruins (7-2)
LW: 8

Rick Byrd's Bruins are licking their wounds after being blown out by VCU in the second half of a home match up with the Rams. Belmont will look to rebound this week with a short trip down the road to Mufreesboro for their only game of the week.

Last Week: W 102-68 vs Brescia, L 81-68 vs VCU
This Week: 12/3 at Middle Tennessee State (6-1)

12. George Washington Colonials (6-1)
LW: 13

The Foggy Bottom Boys showed well enough at the Wooden Legacy with wins over Miami and Creighton to move up a spot in our poll. The Colonials won't have much time to relax with a games against a pair of future Big 10 schools this week.

Last Week: W 71-62 vs Miami, L 76-60 vs Marquette, W 60-53 vs #20 Creighton
This Week: 12/4 vs Rutgers (4-4), 12/7 vs Maryland (5-2)

t-13. Drexel Dragons (4-2)
LW: Not Ranked

Bruiser Flint and the Dragons nearly knocked off #2 Arizona and then won an overtime thriller against Alabama in Madison Square Garden. A good Cleveland State team should challenge the Dragons this week.

Last Week: L 66-62 vs Arizona, W 85-83 vs Alabama 
This Week: 12/4 vs Cleveland State (4-3), 12/7 vs Tennessee State (0-7)

t-13. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-1)
LW: 9

Southern Miss could only muster up 38 points while getting thrashed by Louisville. Can the Golden Eagles stay in our poll with a couple of challenging match up this week?

Last Week: L 69-38 at #7 Louisville
This Week: 12/4 vs Morehead State (6-3), 12/7 vs Georgia State (2-5)

t-15. UAB Blazers (6-2)
LW: NR

UAB's big win over North Carolina vaults them into our MMM Power 15. They'll get a little time to celebrate, as they won't play again until Saturday with a road trip to Boston.

Last Week: W 85-73 vs Florida A&M, W 63-59 vs North Carolina
This Week: 12/7 at Northeastern (2-5)

t-15. Ohio Bobcats (6-1)
LW: NR

The Bobcats have won five in a row, most recently against a pair of good teams in Evansville and Mercer. Ohio will try to keep momentum going this week against a very hungry Oakland squad.

Last Week: W 76-67 vs Mercer, W 81-59 vs Evansville
This Week: 12/7 at Oakland (1-7)

t-15. Toledo Rockets (6-0)
LW: NR

Another MAC team slips into our last spot. The Rockets are finally getting a little respect during their undefeated campaign. Detroit and Robert Morris will look to settle down the Rockets this week. Funny things happen in Moon Township.

Last Week: W 94-74 vs FAU
This Week: 12/4 vs Detroit (4-4), 12.7 at Robert Morris (3-5)

Dropped Out: Youngstown State, Indiana State

Also Receiving Votes: Indiana State, Pacific, Kent State, New Mexico State, Youngstown State, Princeton, Green Bay

Voters: Parks Smith, Ben Miraski, Mike Bundt- UB Bull Run, Ryan Peters- Big Apple Buckets, Jake Fischer, Kyle Nelson, Chris Hondros, Will Maupin, Liam Jones , Dan Bogle