NCAA Basketball March Madness

10 Mid-Major Teams Most Primed for a Deep Run in March

10 Mid-Major Teams Primed for a Deep Run in March

Dayton Basketball
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Picking the Cinderellas of the NCAA tournament is just about as hard as jumping up and down while trying to drive a car. So, basically impossible. However, these 10 mid-majors have shown great signs early on. Some might as well be part of a power conference, as they make the tourney on a yearly basis, and others not so much.

10. Saint Mary’s Gaels

Saint Mary’s Gaels
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

10. Saint Mary’s Gaels

Saint Mary’s Gaels
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The Saint Mary's Gaels may have three losses, but only one can be looked at as a "bad" loss (Northern Arizona). Saint Mary's has, however, played teams like Creighton, St. John's and Boise State. It also has Brad Waldow, who is averaging 20 points per game. Needless to say, Waldow alone could carry the Gaels to a tournament win or two, assuming they crash the dance.

9. George Washington Colonials

George Washington Colonials
Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports

9. George Washington Colonials

George Washington Colonials
Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports

George Washington managed to make the dance last year, and it is on pace to do the same this year. Here's the only thing you need to know about the Colonials (at least right now): They have already beaten the Wichita State Shockers.

8. Old Dominion Monarchs

Old Dominion Monarchs
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8. Old Dominion Monarchs

Old Dominion Monarchs
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Believe it or not, the Old Dominion Monarchs are currently ranked in the top 25. They have gotten there by beating VCU and LSU. Plus, they only have one loss.

7. Wyoming Cowboys

Wyoming Cowboys
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

7. Wyoming Cowboys

Wyoming Cowboys
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

If you haven't heard the name Larry Nance Jr., you better get to know it. The senior has the talent to take his team to great heights this season. Heights like the MWC championship and a deep run in the dance.

6. VCU Rams

VCU Rams
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

6. VCU Rams

VCU Rams
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Currently ranked in the top 25, Shaka Smart has himself another great basketball team. This year's squad has had some setbacks (losses to Villanova, Old Dominion and Virginia, which are all great teams), but non-conference tests are crucial in college hoops.

5. Harvard Crimson

Harvard Crimson
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5. Harvard Crimson

Harvard Crimson
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Harvard may have to win the Ivy League just to make the tournament, but it has been getting a lot of buzz over the last couple of years or so. That is because the Crimson have made the dance three years in a row. They won one tournament game last year -- an upset of No. 5 Cincinnati -- but this could be the year they actually go on a deep run. Stay tuned for that one.

4. San Diego State Aztecs

San Diego State Aztecs
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

4. San Diego State Aztecs

San Diego State Aztecs
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Notes about the Aztecs: They beat Utah and they only lost to Arizona by two points. Both teams are currently ranked in the top 10, so I would say that is pretty good. What do you think, tournament committee?

There's also that fact that San Diego State is one of the top mid-majors on a yearly basis -- just sayin'.

3. Dayton Flyers

Dayton Flyers
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3. Dayton Flyers

Dayton Flyers
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Last year's Cinderella is already off to a great start. Dayton only has two losses in the 2014-15 season, and it very well could be this year's A-10 champ. How about an encore in the Big Dance?

2. Wichita State Shockers

Wichita State Shockers
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2. Wichita State Shockers

Wichita State Shockers
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

I doubt the Wichita State Shockers will earn a No. 1 seed this year, but a No. 2 seed is certainly not out of the question. By now, everyone should be very familiar with this team.

1. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Gonzaga Bulldogs
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1. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Gonzaga Bulldogs
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Not only does Gonzaga make the NCAA tournament on a yearly basis, but it is already ranked in the top 10. There have been a lot of great Gonzaga teams, but this could be the best one yet (maybe).

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