The low- and mid-majors ready to bust brackets in March

The calendar has flipped to February, but in men's college basketball, the traditional powers are still the talk of the sport. Looming in the shadows though, are mid- and low-majors, quietly putting together March Madness resumes, ready to bust brackets across America in a month's time.

The bracket won't be set until Selection Sunday, March 16, but here are five teams to keep an eye on as the regular season winds down.

New Mexico | 18-4, 10-1 Mountain West

The Lobos are fresh off a convincing 82-63 road win over fellow NCAA Tournament hopeful Utah State — the lone Mountain West team ahead of New Mexico in the NET rankings. New Mexico also has wins over UCLA, USC and VCU. An experienced head coach in Richard Pitino (two NCAA Tournament titles and an NIT title) is an advantage for the Lobos. 

New Mexico averages 83.4 points per game (18th in the country) but plays counter to the growing trend of 3-point reliance. The Lobos rank ninth in the country in field goal attempts per game (64.9), but 260th in 3-point field goal attempts per game (21). New Mexico won't be denied opportunities, ranking seventh in the country in pace (74.4), which bodes well in a tournament setting.

Utah State | 19-3, 9-2 Mountain West

Speaking of Utah State, the Aggies are a threat in March Madness. Despite only playing two Quad 1 games this season, Utah State is 2-0 with wins over St. Mary's and San Diego State.

Contrary to New Mexico, the Aggies play at a slower pace (68.5, 193rd), but they're extremely efficient with their possessions, ranking 12th in offensive rating (118.9). The Aggies are currently an eighth seed in the latest Bracketology, which could present a tough second-round game for a one-seed.

Drake | 20-2, 10-2 Missouri Valley

The Bulldogs were an NCAA Tournament team last season, losing in the first round as a 10 seed to seventh-seeded Washington State. Head coach Darian DeVries and his son, Tucker (21.6 points per game) departed for West Virginia, but new head coach Ben McCollum has kept Drake at the top.

The Bulldogs have a winning record against all four quads, including 3-1 against Quad 1 and Quad 2 teams. Drake has a balanced attack offensively with four players averaging nine points or more, including the MVC leading scorer Bennett Stirtz (18.4 points per game).

McNeese State | 17-6, 10-1 Southland

Former LSU head coach Will Wade has McNeese competitive once again. Most importantly, his team is a tough one to beat. 

McNeese’s six losses are by a combined 37 points (6.1 average), and in four of those losses, the Cowboys either led or were within one possession with less than two minutes to play.

The Cowboys have close losses to Alabama and Mississippi State. They're battle-tested, have proven they can hang with anybody and will instill fear in whatever team draws them on the bracket.

Yale | 13-6, 6-0 Ivy League

Yale struggled out of the gate, losing five of its first nine games, but it is currently on a seven-game win streak. The Bulldogs rank in the top 25 in the nation in points (82.5, 25th), rebounds (40.3, 21st) and assists (17.2, 18th). The experienced senior backcourt duo of Bez Mbeng (12.2 points per game) and John Poulakidas (19.8 points per game) is the key ingredient to a March upset.

Yale has been there before too, defeating fourth-seeded Auburn in the first round last season. Couple that with Princeton's run to the Sweet 16 in 2023 and the Ivy League has been a giant-killer in recent seasons.