As Week 3 of college hoops kicks into gear, here’s a look at a few mid-major teams whose stock has risen or fallen after the first two weeks.
Saint Mary’s: Stock Up
The Gaels have started the season strong, winning their first three games. Their biggest victory came Sunday when they edged Nebraska at home, 77-74, in what could shape up to be a Quad 1 or Quad 2 win. Freshman guard Mikey Lewis stood out, providing a spark off the bench with a 23-point performance.
Santa Clara: Stock Down
The Broncos have struggled to gain momentum. After opening the season with a win over a highly touted St. Louis team in South Dakota, Santa Clara dropped its next three games to Arizona State, North Dakota State and Nevada. The road ahead doesn’t get easier, with key matchups against Stanford, TCU and McNeese looming.
Boise State: Stock Up
Despite falling to San Francisco in the Mid-Major Basketball Game of the Week on Nov. 9, the Broncos bounced back with two wins, including a Quad 1 or Quad 2 victory over Clemson, an NCAA Tournament team last season. They now look to build a win streak ahead of their home matchup against the Gaels on Dec. 14.
UAB: Stock Down
Entering the season as the projected American Athletic Conference champion and a potential at-large bid contender, the Blazers have underwhelmed. Despite a 3-2 record, they missed key opportunities against fellow mid-majors High Point and Vermont, which could hurt their postseason hopes.
Columbia: Stock Up
Though Princeton entered the season as the Ivy League favorite, Columbia has emerged as a surprise contender. The Lions are off to a 5-0 start — their best since 2005 — which includes an impressive win over Villanova in the opener. Senior Geronimo De La Rosa has been the driving force, averaging 22 points per game.
Lipscomb: Stock Down
Before the season, there was palpable buzz surrounding this Bisons team. However, the season has not been kind to them, as they’ve dropped two consecutive games to Belmont and Western Kentucky in close contests. Now 2-3, they’re still searching for players to step up and support last year’s returning nucleus: Will Pruitt, Jacob Ognacevic and Joe Anderson.
