/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52992651/usa_today_9677358.0.jpg)
There have been a few constants this season in our power rankings. One is that the West Coast Conference has owned the top spots, with Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s both among the nation’s best overall teams. That remains true.
Another is that the Atlantic 10 is featured prominently, often with up to half a dozen teams in the rankings. This week, four A-10 teams still made the cut, but for just the second time, none is ranked in the top six. In addition, just two sit in the top 15.
Make no mistake: VCU and Dayton are two strong teams. But after that, the league has faltered. Richmond snuck back in this week, but St. Bonaventure dropped out. While Rhode Island hangs on to a spot, Davidson’s spot seems like a distant memory.
Instead, we’ve seen a surge from the lower majors, with UNC Wilmington and New Mexico State creeping up. Vermont also made a three-spot jump this week as the Catamounts remain undefeated in the America East.
Here are the complete rankings for this week.
Mid-Major Madness Power Rankings
RANK | TEAM | RECORD | LAST WEEK | POINTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gonzaga (9) | 22-0 | 1 | 225 |
2 | Saint Mary's | 19-2 | 2 | 214 |
3 | Wichita State | 19-4 | 4 | 197 |
4 | Illinois State | 18-4 | 6 | 190 |
5 | Middle Tennessee | 19-3 | 7 | 185 |
6 | UNC Wilmington | 20-3 | 3 | 170 |
7 | Dayton | 15-5 | 4 | 166 |
8 | VCU | 16-5 | 8 | 160 |
9 | Akron | 18-3 | 9 | 149 |
10 | Valparaiso | 18-4 | 10 | 136 |
11 | Nevada | 18-4 | 12 | 126 |
12 | New Mexico State | 20-2 | 13 | 123 |
13 | Monmouth | 17-5 | 15 | 107 |
14 | Vermont | 18-5 | 17 | 103 |
15 | UT Arlington | 16-5 | 19 | 86 |
16 | Rhode Island | 13-7 | 13 | 78 |
17 | East Tennessee State | 17-5 | 20 | 69 |
18 | Belmont | 15-4 | NR | 59 |
19 | College of Charleston | 17-6 | 16 | 53 |
20 | BYU | 16-7 | 17 | 48 |
21 | Princeton | 10-6 | 20 | 44 |
22 | Chattanooga | 15-6 | 10 | 43 |
23 | Florida Gulf Coast | 17-6 | 24 | 38 |
24 | Bucknell | 17-6 | NR | 29 |
25 | Richmond | 13-8 | NR | 22 |
Others Receiving Votes: Winthrop 18; Santa Clara 13; North Dakota State 9; Furman 8; St. Bonaventure 7; Loyola Chicago 6; Georgia Southern 5; New Mexico 5; Boise State 4; Fort Wayne 4; UNC Asheville 4; Sam Houston State 4; Weber State 3; Davidson 2; Ohio 2; Iona 2; Louisiana 1. |