Who are these guys? The top mid-majors in NCAA men's basketball

This was originally going to be an article on the top mid-major teams in NCAA men's college basketball.

However, upon researching these teams, there became way too many teams to look at. So in my continued addiction to doing different polls, I have decided to do a poll of the top mid-major men's college basketball teams in all the land.

This poll will be produced bi-weekly and will be released no later than Thursday on a given week.

Teams that are not included for this poll include schools in the following conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-10, and SEC, which are generally considered the six major conferences. Other major programs not in major conferences -- Temple, Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, and Fresno State -- will not be considered for this poll either.

Watch out for the big game Wednesday between Ball State and Butler. It may be one of the top games in Indiana this year.

The only conference not represented in any way that is not a major conference is the Big South, which currently has no teams with a winning record.

Records are through games of December 18. Stats are through December 17.

Here is the first mid-major rankings:

1. Marquette Golden Eagles (Conference USA, 9-0)

The Golden Eagles came out of nowhere to beat Indiana, then Gonzaga to win the Great Alaska Shootout in November. They have not skipped a beat since. Led by Dwyane Wade (that is the correct spelling), who averages 19.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, Marquette remains one of two unblemished mid-major schools. Wins over Tennessee, Dayton, and Sam Houston have also added quality to Marquette's record. The next two games for Marquette will be tough ones as they travel to Wisconsin and to Wake Forest before the new year.

2. Ball State Cardinals (Mid-American Conference, 6-2)

While Marquette was wreaking havoc in Alaska, Ball State was doing the same in Hawaii. The Cardinals knocked off two teams ranked in the Top 5 of both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls in the Maui Invitational, beating Kansas 93-81 and UCLA 91-73 before falling to Duke in the championship game 83-71. The alma mater of David Letterman has since fallen at Indiana 74-61 and still has this week's matchup with Butler as well as a trip to currently unbeaten Oklahoma State before diving into their conference schedule. Guards Patrick Jackson (20.2 PPG) and Chris Williams (18.6 PPG) and forward Theron Smith (18.0 PPG, 10.6 RPG) all average at least 18 points per game for a team that has scored over 90 points five times and has eclipsed the century mark three times.

3. Gonzaga Bulldogs (West Coast Conference, 9-2)

Year in and year out head coach Mark Few has quietly put together one of the most consistent programs in the country, but yet still receive little respect nationally until their yearly Sweet 16 run. This season is no different as a pair of high school teammates, Dan Dickau (17.7 PPG) and Zach Gourde (15.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG) from Prairie HS in suburban Vancouver, WA, lead the Bulldogs. The Zags haven't shied away from competition either, as their lone losses are to Marquette in Alaska and at Illinois to start the season. Wins over Fresno State, St. John's, and both Washington Pac-10 schools have propelled Gonzaga into the coaches' and writers' polls.

4. Butler Bulldogs (Horizon Conference, 10-0)

Butler is the other major with the unblemished record, and if Butler was in a major conference, wins over Northern Iowa, at Washington, and at Purdue would warrant a likely Top 25 ranking. But, such is the life of a mid-major. Butler remains on the outside looking in. If Butler knocks off Ball State this week, the Bulldogs could feasibly go unbeaten. Rylan Hainje (14.4 PPG) and Thomas Jackson (13.7 PPG) are the leading scorers, but are two of only three seniors on this talented squad.

5. St. Joseph's Hawks (Atlantic 10 Conference, 6-1)

A mid-major team that is overrated is a rare sight, but yet that is the case currently with the Hawks. Their lone loss was their season-opener against Eastern Washington, but St. Joe's has come back to knock off Colorado and Penn. Phil Martelli's crew is a very talented bunch led by the backcourt of Jameer Nelson (11.3 PPG, 6.3 APG) and Marvin O'Connor (17.9 PPG). Na'im Crenshaw (14.7 PPG) has also been contributing to the Hawks' cause. They will host Gonzaga on New Year's Eve in an intriguing matchup.

6. South Florida Bulls (Conference USA, 7-1)

The Bulls impressed Florida head coach Billy Donovan, so they should impress everyone else, right? Unfortunately that hasn't been the case. Despite the 92-73 loss to the Gators, South Florida has knocked off Pittsburgh and crushed Cal by 20. South Florida has upcoming games with Syracuse (Thursday) and Florida State (Jan. 2) before starting conference play. The talented frontcourt of Altron Jackson (17.1 PPG) and B.B. Waldon (15.9 PPG) nearly left school for an attempt at the NBA after last season. They are being rewarded for staying with their hot start.

7. Missouri-Kansas City Kanagroos (Mid-Continent Conference, 6-1)

From the same conference that brought Bryce Drew and Valparaiso a couple of years ago comes the latest darling, the Kangaroos of UMKC. Their only loss is an 11-point loss at Kansas, and the Kangaroos have knocked off Northern Iowa by 15 points. Sophomore guard Michael Watson averages 22 points per game and is in the nation's top 20 scoring leaders.

8. Tulane Green Wave (Conference USA, 6-1)

The Green Wave are another team whose lone loss is to Florida. The most recent win for Tulane was an 87-77 win over an underrated Vanderbilt team. The top three scorers all average close to 15 points per game. Forwards Nick Sinville and Brandon Brown and guard Brandon Spann are the top performers for coach Shawn Finney's squad.

9. Creighton Blue Jays (Missouri Valley Conference, 5-2)

One of two losses for Western Kentucky have come at the hands of the Blue Jays. Creighton's losses have come at TCU (82-77) and at BYU (61-52). A trip to Paducah and a rematch with the Hilltoppers will take place Wednesday, as does a home matchup with Xavier on Saturday. Kyle Korver (15.7 PPG) and Terrell Taylor (13.0 PPG) are the only double-digit operatives for Creighton.

10. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Sun Belt Conference, 7-2)

It says a lot for the depth of the mid-majors when Western Kentucky is not in the Top 10. Despite the fact they have lost both games without center Chris Marcus, who is sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot, guard Derek Robinson (13.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, .486 three-pointers) has more than picked up the slack. The 7-foot-2 Marcus is the leading scorer and rebounder and should return around the beginning of the new year. WKU made their splash with a 64-52 win at Kentucky to open the season.

11. Penn Quakers (Ivy League, 6-2)

The Quakers are another team that would be ranked in a normal season. Fran Dunphy's squad has wins over Georgia Tech, Iowa State and Villanova and has lost tight battles with Illinois and St. Joseph's. Ugonna Onyekwe (19.4 PPG) and Koko Archibong (17.3 PPG) lead a team that was picked by Ivy league coaches to finish third behind Princeton and Brown.

12. Manhattan Jaspers (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, 6-1)

The Jaspers have just have the one quality win over the St. John's Red Storm, an 85-68 verdict, and a 78-58 loss to Syracuse. Manhattan may still be the best basketball team in New York and are led by sophomore guard Luis Flores, who averages just under 20 points per game.

13. Utah State Aggies (Big West Conference, 6-1)

The Aggies, who upset Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament last year, are proving that they are not one-hit wonders with a blazing start this season. Wins at Utah and BYU take some of the sting off their lone loss, a 67-64 decision at Weber State. Junior forward Desmond Penigar leads USU in scoring with just under 19 points per game.

14. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (Western Athletic Conference, 6-1)

Despite having numerous coaches bolt Tulsa, the Golden Hurricane continues to build a successful program. A 34-point victory at Texas A&M easily outweighs a four-point loss to Arkansas. Guards Dante Swanson and Greg Harrington each average just over 13 points per game.

15. Southern Illinois Salukis (Missouri Valley Conference, 8-2)

The Salukis have one of the best nicknames in sports. Now their basketball team is just as good as the nickname, at least up until this week. Before Tuesday, their only loss was a three-point loss at Illinois just after Thanksgiving. However, a 20-point loss at Colorado State on Tuesday will not look favorably for the Salukis come NCAA Tournament time. They have beaten Indiana (72-60), St. Louis (69-64), and Iowa State (66-57) with only the game against the Hoosiers being a home game. Junior guard Kent Williams leads SIU in scoring at 18.3 PPG.

16. St. Bonaventure Bonnies (Atlantic 10 Conference, 6-2)

St. Bonaventure has been a formidable opponent this year. The Bonnies have given both Boston College and Oklahoma fits this season. Those two schools are responsible for the Bonnies' only losses. They have also defeated Davidson. Senior guard J.R. Bremer is the eighth-leading scorer in the country at 23.9 points per game.

17. Hampton Pirates (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, 8-1)

The Pirates put themselves on the map last season as they knocked off Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament last season as a 15-seed. Then they became the first team to upset North Carolina this season. Of course, that was until it was later realized that the win wasn't really an upset after all. The only loss for Hampton so far was 100-85 to Vanderbilt. Hampton also added a nice win at Old Dominion on Tuesday. Tommy Adams leads the Pirates in scoring at just over 21 PPG.

18. Bowling Green Falcons (Mid-American Conference, 8-1)

Senior guard Keith McLeod averages 21.2 points per game for Dan Dakich's crew, who can boast of wins at Mississippi (82-78), and against Michigan (65-58-9) and Marist (61-58). The Falcons' lone loss, an 81-74 loss at home to Washington keeps them from being ranked higher.

19. The Citadel Bulldogs (Southern Conference, 7-2)

The Bulldogs have knocked off Davidson by 19, and have lost to N.C. State by ten. They also have a tough loss to Charleston Southern on their ledger. Senior Travis Cantrell leads the Bulldogs at 17.0 points per game, and is shooting just over 90 percent from the free-throw line.

20. UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos (Big West Conference, 5-2)

The Gauchos have defeated BYU and Pepperdine, but have lost to USC and Loyola Marymount. The loss to LMU is particularly bad for the Gauchos' resume. Junior forward Mark Hull averages 16.9 points per game for a team that calls the Thunderdome home.

21. Brigham Young Cougars (Mountain West Conference, 6-2)

Junior guard Travis Hansen (16.2 PPG) is the only player that averages in double digits for the Cougars. The alma mater of Danny Ainge has defeated Arizona State and Creighton, but has lost to UC-Santa Barbara and in-state rival Utah State.

22. San Diego State Aztecs (Mountain West Conference, 6-3)

Steve Fisher, the former Michigan coach who introduced us to the Fab Five, has the Aztecs off to an impressive start for the second consecutive season. This season, SDSU has knocked off Fresno State, won at Hawaii, and beaten Northern Iowa. Losses at Texas Tech and against New Mexico State are the only blemishes on what has so far been a successful season. Senior guard Al Faux averages 20.2 points per game, while Syracuse transfer Tony Bland is averaging 18.9 per contest.

23. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (Western Athletic Conference, 5-2)

At a school in which the women's team more often outshines the men's team, this season, the Bulldogs are proving their worth. Close losses against Iowa and Oklahoma, plus a one-point win at Auburn have Tech thinking they can challenge for the WAC title. Darrian Brown, Gerrod Henderson, Marco Cole, and Antonio Meeking all average between 12 and 15 points per game.

24. Sam Houston Bearkats (Southland Conference, 5-2)

A lot of the comments about Sam Houston beating Bob Knight's Texas Tech team earlier this season was that the loss was a bad loss for the Red Raiders. However, the Bearkats are proving they are a solid team, having also won at Nebraska by four. Their losses have been at Marquette and at Drake. The Bearcats will fight with UT-San Antonio for the Southland title and will be led by junior forward Donald Cole, who is averaging double figures in points (17.9) and rebounds (10.7). Cole did not play the first three games of the season, which includes the season-opening loss at Drake.

25. Virginia Commonwealth Rams (Colonial Athletic Association, 9-2)

The Rams are led by the Willie and Willie show. Junior guards Willie Taylor (20.3 PPG) and Antoine Willie (16.1 PPG) provide the top backcourt in the CAA. Their only losses are a four-point loss to Tulane and a 78-73 season-opening loss against a Northwestern team that is currently 7-1. They have also handed Rutgers one of their only two losses, a 71-58 win on November 15.

Teams To Watch Northern Iowa Panthers (Missouri Valley Conference, 6-3) Davidson Wildcats (Southern Conference, 5-3) Marist Red Foxes (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, 6-2) Valparaiso Crusaders (Mid-Continent Conference, 7-2) New Mexico Lobos (Mountain West Conference, 6-3) Cal Poly Mustangs (Big West Conference, 5-2) Pacific Tigers (Big West Conference, 7-2) College of Charleston Cougars (Southern Conference, 6-1) St. Francis, NY Terriers (Northeast Conference, 5-1) Brown Bears (Ivy League, 5-2)

Texas Christian Horned Frogs (Conference USA, 8-3) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (Western Athletic Conference, 6-2) George Washington Colonials (Atlantic 10 Conference, 7-3) Wyoming Cowboys (Mountain West Conference, 6-3) Columbia Lions (Ivy League, 6-2)

Colgate Red Raiders (Patriot League, 6-2) Western Michigan Broncos (Mid-American Conference, 6-3) Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks (Ohio Valley Conference, 6-2) Nevada Wolf Pack (Western Athletic Conference, 7-2) Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners (Southland Conference, 5-2)

Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans (Sun Belt Conference, 8-3) Old Dominion Monarchs (Colonial Athletic Association, 6-3) Georgia State Panthers (Atlantic Sun Conference, 5-3) UNC-Greensboro Spartans (Southern Conference, 5-2) Furman Paladins (Southern Conference, 6-2)

Jacksonville Dolphins (Atlantic Sun Conference, 6-2) George Mason Patriots (Colonial Athletic Association, 5-2) Weber State Wildcats (Big Sky Conference, 7-3)

Dayton Flyers (Atlantic 10 Conference, 6-3) Utah Utes (Mountain West Conference, 6-3) Vermont Catamounts (America East Conference, 5-3)