CBB Preview: A look at some Mid-Majors

Note: These 7 Mid-major previews were done for Score Atlanta. Be sure to check them out at www.scoreatl.com

BIG SOUTH
The Big South conference winner used to gain a very low seed into the NCAA tournament where it would promptly get beaten by a top seed. No more for the current members of the mid-major. This season, several teams have a shot at making a serious run to the Sweet 16 including VMI, Liberty and UNC-Asheville. The Keydets squad is led by its standout senior Travis Holmes who has already shown Kentucky what he can do. UNC-Asheville meanwhile will have sophomore John Williams and freshman JP Primm trying to advance the Bulldogs. Gardner Webb will run with Australian junior Auryn MacMillan. Lastly watch out for Seth Curry to make an impact at Liberty in his first season for the Flames.

A-10
Members of the A-10 conference probably don’t consider themselves a mid-major and the conference may not be. Sean Miller’s Xavier earned a No.3 seed last season and he has two seniors BJ Raymond and CJ Anderson back. Add in freshman Center Kenny Frease and Xavier could well improve its seeding. Temple senior Dionte Christmas is a local product and he might have the Owls back in the NCAAs. St. Joseph’s senior Ahmad Nivins can score and rebound and Phil Martelli always has his team ready to play. Watch out for UMass and its one-two punch of junior Ricky Harris and senior Tony Gaffney. The Minutemen could be a player this season.

SOUTHLAND
The Sam Houston State BearKats should take the Southland conference this season but could see some serious competition from the Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks. The BearKats feature a three-headed attack of Corey Allmond’s scoring, DeLuis Ramirez’s rebounding and Ashton Mitchell’s passing. But the Lumberjacks can come back with Girod Adams and junior Eric Bell. Good luck trying to steal a rebound from McNeese State with sophomore PJ Alawoya and John Pichon. One of the conference’s top scorers hails from Lamar senior guard Kenny Dawkins, while Jeremy Smith of Texas-Arlington might have the best court vision in the league. Kevyn Green of SE Louisiana might be up for POY honors before it is all said and done.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
When the discussion of the SoCon starts, it is hard to say more than two words without mentioning Stephen Curry of Davidson. The world fell in love with Curry during last season’s NCAA tourney and Curry bypassed NBA riches for another stab at the Madness. Curry will run the point this season, but look for his scoring to stay in the 30s. While the Wildcats are everyone’s pick, the Appalachian State Mountaineers might raise a few eyebrows this year. Sophomore Donald Sims will do the scoring while Josh Hunter and Isaac Butts gather in the rebounds. Ryan Abraham will take care of the assists. Other top scorers include Furman’s Jordan Miller and UNC-Greensboro’s sophomore Landon Clement.

Colonial Athletic Association.
The CAA has taken some coaching hits over the last two seasons mainly because of the conference members’ recent success. George Mason ran to the Final Four in 2006 and VCU knocked off Duke in 2007. While George Mason isn’t expected to be a player, VCU should make some noise with guard Eric Maynor. His 17.9 ppg last season should be good enough for Player of the Year Honors and look for his assists to jump back to 2007’s 6.1apg. If Anothony Grant’s Rams can make another run, Grant could cash in at a BCS school. Former Ole Miss head coach Rod Barnes will have the Panthers of Georgia State ready to play.

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
While the MAC has a distinguished history as a football mid-major, this basketball season might be the jump-off point for basketball. Northern Illinois has a fantastic freshman in Mike DiNunno that should pace the Huskies to the top of the conference. Meanwhile Toledo wing Tyrone Kent’s senior season might be a memorable one for the Rockets if his scoring stays high. The Buffalo Bulls junior guard Rodney Pierce also could make a play for player of the year honors and a bid for the NBA. The Ohio Bobcats and Ball State Cardinals have been traditional powers and could be players yet again this season.

Ohio Valley Conference
The Ohio Valley Conference received just one bid to the Big Dance last season in Austin Peay, but several teams could make a push for inclusion this season. Austin Peay looks like the top team again with senior Drake Reed and Wes Channels returning. Add in Caleb Brown’s passing and Kyle Duncan doing the dirty work and the Governors look to take the crown. Tennessee-Martin has two players who should go for 20-25 ppg nightly in Lester Hudson (25.3ppg last season) and Marquis Weddle (17.8ppg). Don’t count out the Murray State Racers and Kevin Thomas though. Daniel Northern also will lead a feisty Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles squad.