Through the first week of the conference tournaments, five teams have qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Loyola Chicago and Murray State are going dancing and also find themselves in this week's edition of the Mid-Major Rankings.
While the Ramblers and Racers have punched their ticket, doubt has crept in for a number of other schools featured here.
Rhode Island lost two straight games for the first time all season, including a 30-point loss to St. Joe's. That's three losses in the Rams' last five games, matching their total losses for the entire season before the slide.
[divider]
GET A 50% DEPOSIT BONUS UP TO $1000!
Use the promo code HeroSports to get your 50% Bonus
[divider]
Saint Mary's avoided a terrible loss to Pepperdine over the weekend, but have failed to exhibit the dominating style of basketball that had them ranked first in the Mid-Major rankings several weeks ago. The Gaels' tournament resume is not as clear-cut as many believe, and a WCC tournament championship may be a necessity.
Middle Tennessee and Nevada lost as well, but their defeats can be more attributed to already locking up the top seed in their respective conference tournaments.
All sins can be washed clean, however, with a conference tournament championship. The Dance awaits.
The Mid-Major Rankings for this week can be found below.
[divider]
| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gonzaga | 28-4 | 1 | WCC Tourney |
| 2 | Nevada | 26-6 | 3 | MWC Tourney |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee | 24-6 | 4 | C-USA Tourney |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 23-6 | 2 | A10 Tourney |
| 5 | Loyola Chicago | 28-5 | 6 | NCAA Tourney |
| 6 | Saint Mary's | 28-4 | 5 | WCC Tourney |
| 7 | New Mexico State | 25-5 | 7 | WAC Tourney |
| 8 | Vermont | 26-6 | 8 | Am. East Tourney |
| 9 | St. Bonaventure | 24-6 | 9 | A10 Tourney |
| 10 | Murray State | 26-5 | NR | NCAA Tourney |
