This year’s mid-major basketball season brings an exciting lineup of teams ready to make noise. Grand Canyon, Princeton, McNeese and Saint Louis stand out, each returning with unique strengths and loads of experience. With star players and proven systems, these teams look primed to dominate their respective conferences and potentially shake things up in the NCAA Tournament.
Grand Canyon: A Tournament-Ready Powerhouse
Grand Canyon enters the season with high expectations after last year’s success. The Antelopes return WAC Player of the Year, Tyon Grant-Foster, who led them in scoring and leadership. Foster anchors a roster full of experienced players, and the team knows exactly what it takes to win in high-pressure tournament situations.
The Antelopes doesn’t just aim to repeat last season’s success – they plan to build on it. The team’s chemistry and depth make them a team to watch in the Western Athletic Conference. They expect to contend for the conference title and make a NCAA Tournament run.
McNeese: Wade’s Winning Formula
McNeese, under the leadership of coach Will Wade, continues to develop into a quality mid-major program. Wade’s system works, emphasizing discipline and efficiency, and this year’s squad brings a wealth of experience to execute his plan. The team thrives in his system, which has proven successful at higher levels.
The Cowboys look poised to contend for a Southland Conference title, and their strong foundation makes them a potential dark horse in the tournament. Their preparation and experience could propel them to surprise wins on the national stage.
Princeton: Ivy League’s Sharpshooting Duo
Princeton rolls into the season with one of the most dangerous duos in the Ivy League, featuring Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce. Both players provide Princeton with elite offensive firepower. With Lee and Pierce leading the way, Princeton has the potential to outshoot every opponent it faces, as it was one of the highest volume 3-point shooting teams in the country a season ago.
Saint Louis: The New Indiana State?
Saint Louis brings a fresh approach to the season, drawing comparisons to last year’s surprise team, Indiana State. After finishing the past season with a record of 13-20, the team is turning a new leaf with new head coach Josh Schertz, who brings two star players in Isaiah Swope (15.9 ppg, 3.0 rebs, 36.2% 3pt pct) and Robbie Avila (17.4 ppg, 6.6 rebs, 4.1 ast) from Indiana State.
The Billikens hope to compete in the Atlantic 10 and qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
