Midway through the 2025-26 college basketball season, everyone knows about the key high-major programs, including the potential contenders to win it all. But for the 200+ mid-major teams in Division-I hoops, many are currently flying under the radar.
Which mid-majors should you keep an eye on as we head toward March Madness? Here’s a look at the top teams, plus the biggest surprises and disappointments so far.
Heads of the Class
High Point Panthers
Record: 14-3 (2-0 Big South)
While viewed as a favorite in the Big South, the Panthers have somehow exceeded expectations, currently ranking among the top-10 scoring offenses in the nation (93.9 points per game), scoring 80+ points in all but one game this season. The key player is 6-foot-6 senior forward Cam’Ron Fletcher (16.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game), a former top-50 prospect who struggled with various injuries at Kentucky and Florida State before breaking out for the Panthers. This level of firepower makes High Point not only the clear favorite in the Big South but a double-digit seed capable of making noise in March.
UC Irvine Anteaters
Record: 11-5 (4-0 Big West)
An earlier three-game losing skid had the Anteaters under .500 for a bit, but they’ve since won eight of the last nine contests, including a recent road sweep over Cal State Fullerton and Bakersfield in league play. Coach Russ Turner’s defense remains elite, with the Michigan Wolverines the only other team in the nation allowing under 45 percent from the field at the rim. That’s a recipe for continued success throughout the season.
Miami (OH) Redhawks
Record: 15-0 (3-0 MAC)
As the last lone unbeaten mid-major team, the Redhawks easily earned a spot on this list. Even if the strength of schedule isn’t the toughest, they already have six road wins, along with a signature home win over MAC heavyweight Akron this past weekend. Miami (OH) has five double-digit scorers, led by 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Brant Byers (15.4 points per game). The MAC still has more tests for the Redhawks, but it’s safe to say that they’re for real.
Yale Bulldogs
Record: 12-2 (1-0 Ivy League)
One of the best mid-major players in the country is Nick Townsend, a 6-foot-7 senior forward who leads Yale with 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. The do-it-all star had 32 points in a win over Charleston and is the reason why the Bulldogs are the team to beat in the Ivy League. Six-foot-6 sophomore forward Isaac Celiscar (13.5 points per game) has doubled his scoring production compared to his freshman year to give Yale even more firepower in the frontcourt.
Murray State Racers
Record: 13-3 (5-0 Missouri Valley)
There are multiple teams in the MVC with a 4-0 or better record right now, but the one with the most potential to do damage in March is the Racers, thanks to one of the most successful transfer portal classes. Six-foot-3 senior Javon Jackson (UIC) is thriving as the lead guard (16.5 points per game), while 6-foot-10 senior center and Creighton transfer Fredrick King has been one of the top frontcourt players in the MVC, averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Illinois State and Northern Iowa are the other title contenders to watch, but the Racers have the roster to pull off a potential upset or two in the Big Dance.
Surprises
Columbia Lions
Record: 12-3 (1-0 Ivy League)
In the five years before this season, the Lions went 9-51 in league play and have yet to make the Ivy League postseason tournament. This is easily the program’s best chance to break through, starting league play with a 104-99 road win at Cornell. 6-foot-4 senior guard Kenny Noland, who paced all with 26 points in that victory, leads the team with 17 points per game. While Yale is the top team in the Ivy League, Columbia could be the biggest surprise threat.
Buffalo Bulls
Record: 13-2 (3-0 MAC)
Buffalo was last a contender in the MAC in the Nate Oats era, but after going 9-22 a year ago, coach George Halcovage has finally turned them around. One of the biggest impact transfers in the country is 6-foot-2 sophomore guard and Daniel Fretag (Wisconsin), who leads them with 19.7 points and 3.2 assists per game. Road wins over Northern Illinois and Western Michigan have Buffalo off to a strong start in league play, but upcoming battles with Akron and Miami (OH) will show how far they’ve truly come.
UT-Martin Skyhawks
Record: 11-4 (3-1 OVC)
All three double-digit scorers from a team that finished eighth in the OVC were gone, so the Skyhawks didn’t have a lot of expectations. However, the international recruiting route has worked very well for them, including 6-foot-9 freshman forward Matas Deniusas, who averages 14.3 points per game. With some of the preseason teams disappointing so far, there’s a path for the Skyhawks to be a darkhorse contender to win the regular season or postseason title.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
Record: 12-3 (5-1 Southland)
In the second year back in the Southland Conference, the Lumberjacks look to be back to where they were a decade ago as one of the winningest mid-major programs in the country. 6-foot-2 junior guard Lateef Patrick Jr. has been an impact newcomer (16 points per game), with the team winning three straight road games before a 66-64 road loss at McNeese State on Monday. There’s a chance that their next matchup will determine who wins the regular-season championship.
West Georgia Wolves
Record: 8-6 (2-0 ASUN)
The Wolves went 6-25 overall in their first year as a D-I program, with this season showing a quick turnaround toward contention. They’re led by one of the best mid-major players in the country in 6-foot-6 senior forward Shelton Williams-Dryden, who leads them with 19.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He combined to produce 60 points and 27 rebounds in West Georgia’s two league wins over Bellarmine and Eastern Kentucky and is the clear favorite to earn ASUN Player of the Year honors, assuming the Wolves continue to be a contender.
68 Three-Pt. Shots In a Row. But No Coach Wanted Him.
The sharpshooter walked on at Belmont and proved that self-belief can work miracles
Sleepers
College of Charleston Cougars
Record: 10-6 (3-0 CAA)
The Cougars were a preseason CAA contender with plenty of hype, but had a forgettable nonconference campaign. The slow start could be traced to injuries or NCAA clearance issues, as three starters were out for most of the games. One of them was 6-foot-7 junior forward Colby Duggan, who dealt with a foot injury but is back, scoring 17 points in the team’s big win over William & Mary to claim first place in the CAA. Look for the Cougars, now fully equipped, to get back on the national radar in the next few weeks.
St. Thomas-Minnesota Tommies
Record: 12-4 (1-0 Summit League)
When looking at teams capable of pulling off an upset in the NCAA Tournament, St. Thomas has a good case to make, thanks to having one of the nation’s leading scorers. Six-foot-5 sophomore guard Nolan Minessale is putting up 21.2 points and 4.3 assists per game, including 32 points in a win over Weber State. The Tommies are riding a six-game win streak that consists of a shootout win over Denver, putting them among the favorites in the Summit.
Georgia Southern Eagles
Record: 12-5 (4-0 Sun Belt)
After finishing eighth in the conference a year ago, the Eagles are off to a great start in league play, having won eight straight games. The offense is in full gear, having scored 82+ points in all four Sun Belt. Six-foot-4 senior guard Tavarus Webb is one of the top newcomers in the league, leading Georgia Southern with 16.5 points per game. A near road upset over Georgia Tech is an example of their ability to compete against high-majors if they were to win the Sun Belt Tournament.
Tarleton State Texans
Record: 11-5 (2-1 WAC)
While down to just seven teams this year, the WAC still has plenty of quality players. The most talented individual is at Tarleton in 6-foot-3 junior guard Dior Johnson, who leads the entire country with 23.1 points per game. He already has five games of 30+ points, including a 42-point outing against Baylor on the road. While Utah Valley and Utah Tech may have better teams overall, Tareton remains a compelling story to watch, thanks to Johnson’s play.
Liberty Flames
Record: 11-3 (3-0 CUSA)
Despite losing an NBA player in Taelon Peters from last year’s squad, Liberty looks to be just as good as ever. Six-foot-3 sophomore guard Brett Decker Jr. is having a major breakout campaign, going from just four points a game as a freshman to leading the Flames with 18 points per game on better than 50-percent shooting (7.6 attempts a game). Liberty’s offense is on pace to average the most points per game in the coach Ritchie McKay era, which should only make them more potentially dangerous if they win the Conference USA postseason tournament again.
Disappointments
Cal Baptist Lancers
Record: 10-6 (0-3 WAC)
The Lancers were picked to finish first in the WAC but are currently in last place in the standings, including losses to UT-Arlington and Tarleton State. This is despite having one of the top scorers in the country in 5-foot-10 senior guard Dominique Daniels, averaging 21.1 points per game. There’s still plenty of time for Cal Baptist to rebound, but they’ve dug themselves an early hole.
Towson Tigers
Record: 8-8 (0-3 CAA)
As one of two teams in the country (Quinnipiac) that returned a conference Player of the Year, Towson was supposed to be a mid-major juggernaut. But while 6-foot-8 junior forward Tyler Tejada (16.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game) has been fine statistically, the team lacks overall depth, with only three players averaging more than six points a game. Losses to Monmouth and Hampton put Towson back in the CAA hierarchy and already three games back of favorites such as Hofstra and Charleston.
UMass Minutemen
Record: 9-6 (0-3 MAC)
Since leaving the Atlantic 10 Conference, UMass has yet to win a MAC game in either football or men’s basketball. The team has lost to Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green and has yet to play the top contenders. While the Minutemen weren’t picked as the team to beat, they were still expected to have a better MAC debut than this.
Chattanooga Mocs
Record: 6-9 (0-2 SoCon)
A year ago, the Mocs won 29 games, went 15-3 in league play and won the NIT Postseason Tournament. This year, they lost to VMI and UNC Greensboro to start out SoCon play, though both were on the road. A key issue is the lack of offense outside of 6-foot junior guard Jordan Frison (14.1 points and 4.3 assists per game), with no other current double-digit scorers at the moment.
Little Rock Trojans
Record: 5-10 (2-2 OVC)
Yes, the season-ending knee injury to star guard KK Robinson before the start of the year was a big blow, but the Trojans still have 6-foot-6 senior guard Johnathan Lawson, who leads them with 16 points and 4.0 assists per game. That hasn’t prevented Little Rock from having a brutal start to the season, along with early league defeats to Tennessee State and Morehead State. There’s still time for the preseason OVC contender to bounce back, but the loss of Robinson could prove to be too much to overcome.
Meet your guide
