March Madness is just around the corner, which made me wonder: Which Group of Five/mid-major colleges have the best men’s basketball and football teams?
A few teams immediately jump to mind, including a pair of programs that are headed to the Big 12 over the offseason. Those programs will be missed at the Group of Five level, but there are a few sleeping giants ready to become NCAA Tournament darlings and college football powerhouses.
Let’s take a look at the top five teams in terms of men’s basketball and football program quality.
1. Houston
Houston is leaving the Group of Five in the near future, as it heads to the Big 12. Still, in 2022-23, the Cougars are in the American Athletic Conference. The football program went 8-5 in 2022, winning the Independence Bowl to wrap up its season.
The men’s basketball team is a top national championship contender, currently sitting at No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. KenPom.com, a basketball analytics site, has Houston at No. 1 in its rankings.
Houston will fit well in the Big 12, as the conference has been one of the best in men’s college basketball this season, and TCU made the College Football Playoff. While losing Texas and Oklahoma is a major blow to the conference, Houston is a strong addition in multiple sports.
2. San Diego State
The Aztecs deserve plenty of love for their recent athletic success. They went 7-6 on the gridiron in 2022 and 12-2 in 2021, cementing themselves as one of the best football teams at the Group of Five level. San Diego State’s success has the program positioned as a possible addition to the Pac-12, should the league choose to add programs.
On the basketball court, San Diego State’s men’s team is poised to make the NCAA Tournament this year. The Aztecs are ranked 21st in the AP Poll, and they have a rich recent history of success on the court. The program was viewed by experts as a national title contender in 2020 before COVID-19 canceled the NCAA Tournament.
3. Boise State
The Broncos are arguably the gold standard at the Group of Five level, seemingly always fielding a competitive football team. Boise State won 10 games in 2022, including a bowl game victory over North Texas. The Broncos should be one of the best Group of Five teams again in 2023.
The men’s basketball team is no joke, either. They’re a likely NCAA Tournament team, and the Broncos made the event last season as well. Leon Rice is a quality coach, and it’s only a matter of time before the Broncos make a deep NCAA Tournament run.
4. Memphis
The Tigers figure to benefit from the AAC losing quality football programs. Memphis has high expectations on the football field, and they’ve been a solid football program in recent years, playing in a bowl game in nine consecutive seasons.
On the court, Memphis has won 20 games in six consecutive seasons, including 2022-23. The Tigers are among the better teams in the AAC, and that should continue for years to come given the school’s commitment to athletics.
5. UCF
UCF’s football team has been a juggernaut at the Group of Five level, and it’s no surprise the Big 12 came calling. The Knights won nine games in each of the last two seasons, and they figure to be a tough out at the Power Five level.
UCF’s men’s basketball program is competitive among AAC teams, and while the group isn’t playing at an elite level, it’s competent enough to earn the school a spot on this list. Well, at least until it jumps to the Big 12.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
