ONB Mid-Major Rankings: 2015 NCAA Tournament
While most of the attention goes to the ACC teams in North Carolina on this site, and rightfully so, you also have to give credit to the mid-majors. Most of these schools have been on national radars for months, and will now have a chance to prove it in the big dance.
Live Feed
Union and Blue
As an extra bonus, I’ll include teams from both Carolinas, because there are a good handful of teams to talk about. So, let’s get started.
1. Davidson Wildcats
Record: 24-7
RPI Rank: 34
The A-10 rookies have surely taken advantage of their higher level of competition, claiming the regular season title. Their late blossoming in the month of Feburary, a month in which they lost just once, also helped their chances. A dominant win over VCU recently put them over the top, even though the Rams eliminated the Wildcats in the semifinals of the A-10 tournament.
Senior Tyler Kalinoski has also been on a tear, and will be a player to watch as the Wildcats will make their 13th NCAA tournament appearance since 1966 and their third in five years.
Where They End Up: Had they won the A-10 tournament, they would be a 10 seed in my estimation, but I think they’ll end up as a dangerous 12-seed when the dust clears on Sunday.
More from Old North Banter
- Carolina Panthers: Secondary battles to watch in training camp 2020
- Carolina Panthers: 2020 training camp kicks off on Tuesday
- NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
- Court alleges Zion’s Stepfather received $400k
- UNC Football gets Commitment from Top Cornerback
2. Wofford Terriers
Record: 28-6
RPI Rank: 47
One of the more surprising mid-majors this season that really, when you think about it, wasn’t. The Terriers have good offensive efficiency in Karl Cochran and Spencer Collins that makes up for a shorter frontcourt. That frontcourt also contains dynamic forward Lee Skinner, who has stepped up his game enough to earn him SoCon Tournament MVP honors. It helped them to an impressive run in the Southern Conference, albeit with a few stumbles (see loss to Chattanooga and close games vs. Furman), that capped off with winning the conference tournament.
Mar 9, 2015; Asheville, NC, USA; Wofford Terriers forward Lee Skinner (34) shoots the ball during the first half against the Furman Paladins in the finals of the Southern Conference tournament at the US Cellular Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
And they’ve held their own out of conference, too. Their biggest and best win was a narrow escape against North Carolina State in Raleigh, but they’ve also been challenged with teams like Duke and West Virginia on the docket.
Where They End Up: Like Davidson, Wofford will most likely be a 12-seed, which is about what you’d expect. Look for them to make noise should they get that spot against a 5-seed, which is historically a pretty good matchup.
3. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Record: 24-9
RPI Rank: 130
The NCAA tournament is still new territory for Cliff Ellis and the Chanticleers. It’s the program’s first ever back-to-back trips to the tournament, which was preceded by an over two-decade drought without play in the big dance.
Unlike Wofford, the Chants’ early season was highlighted by a road win at Auburn, but losses against Chattanooga and Ole Miss really didn’t help their case in a one-bid league like the Big South. Coastal also found themselves on the outside looking in the regular season title hunt, but stormed through the conference tournament and earning their way in.
The team is talented for sure, with senior leaders Warren Gillis and Josh Cameron leading the way as well-balanced threats on both sides of the floor. Keep an eye on Elijah Wilson, the MVP of the Big South Tournament, as he’s a potent threat from downtown.
Nov 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) guards Coastal Carolina Chanticleers guard Warren Gillis (0) in the first half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Where They End Up: Best case scenario for the Chants is that they end up as a 15 seed. But don’t take my word for it, Ellis explained after winning the conference title that he thinks his team and conference deserve more credit. Worst case scenario is that they find themselves in Dayton playing for the right to be a 16-seed.
Who’s Out
NC Central – As good of a year as the Eagles had, the only way they were making the tournament is to win the MEAC tournament, which they didn’t. Look for them in the NIT.
USC Upstate – The Spartans got on the map after beating Georgia Tech on the road early in the year, and stumbled a bit before becoming a favorite in the Atlantic Sun by the time the conference tournament arrived. After being denied by North Florida, they’ve accepted a bid to play in the CIT and will host James Madison on Tuesday.