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Mid-Major Madness Power Rankings: Rhode Island takes over at No. 1

The Rams haven’t lost since Dec. 6.

NCAA Basketball: Rhode Island at VCU Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been 68 days since Rhode Island lost a game. Now, for the first time this year, the Rams are ranked atop the Mid-Major Madness Power Rankings.

Rhode Island is 10-0 in the Atlantic 10 and earned two KenPom Tier B victories last week by winning at VCU and disposing of Davidson at home. The Rams were shut out of the NCAA’s top 16 reveal, but they were heavily considered.

Saint Mary’s’ loss at Gonzaga over the weekend opened the door for URI to get some recognition in our poll, and that’s what happened. There’s nothing in the Power Rankings rulebook that says if the No. 1 team loses, it cannot still be No. 1 the next week. And Saint Mary’s had a good case for staying up there — the Gaels had also won at Gonzaga just a few weeks ago, if you remember. Naturally, by beating the top team, Gonzaga also had a solid argument.

Both teams will have a chance to reclaim the top spot soon, too. Rhode Island faces perhaps its toughest challenge of the entire conference season on Friday when it travels to St. Bonaventure.

The entire poll can be found below. Congrats to UC Santa Barbara for finally breaking through!

Mid-Major Madness Power Rankings: Week 16

RANK TEAM RECORD LAST WEEK POINTS
RANK TEAM RECORD LAST WEEK POINTS
1 Gonzaga (9) 28-4 1 225
2 Saint Mary's 28-4 5 213
3 Nevada 26-6 3 200
4 St. Bonaventure 24-6 6 195
5 Rhode Island 23-6 2 188
6 Middle Tennessee 24-6 4 179
7 Loyola Chicago 28-5 12 167
8 Vermont 26-6 8 162
9 New Mexico State 25-5 9 154
10 South Dakota State 26-6 11 131
10 Murray State 26-5 14 131
12 Boise State 23-7 10 122
13 Old Dominion 24-6 13 106
14 Western Kentucky 22-9 7 86
15 Davidson 18-11 19 73
15 San Diego State 19-10 24 73
17 Bucknell 24-9 21 70
18 Louisiana 26-5 15 68
19 UNC Greensboro 26-7 20 62
20 Charleston 24-7 18 55
21 East Tennessee State 25-8 17 48
22 South Dakota 25-7 22 40
23 Montana 23-7 23 35
24 BYU 23-9 24 32
25 Belmont 24-9 16 25

Also receiving votes: Buffalo 14, South Dakota 12, Penn 9, Fresno State 7, Georgia State 6, UNC Greensboro 6, San Diego State 2, Toledo 1, Weber State 1, Rider 1.