Defining and deciding the coach of the year race, more Hoop Thoughts

As for the other schools that almost made it, I might have gone with Southern Miss, except it suffered two bad road losses to UAB and Middle Tennessee.

Gregg Marshall's Shockers haven't lost yet this season despite big targets on their backs in every game :: Wichita Eagle/Getty Images

After a close call against Maryland, Duke will have to bounce back for its rescheduled game at UNC :: Lance King/Getty Images

As for the other schools that almost made it, I might have gone with Southern Miss, except it suffered two bad road losses to UAB and Middle Tennessee. Don't be surprised if I rank one of the three first-place teams (Louisiana Tech, UTEP, Middle Tennessee) of Conference USA at some point. Other midmajors that caught my eye include Mercer, which is 12-2 in the Atlantic Sun; Delaware, which is undefeated in the CAA; UW-Green Bay, which is 11-2 in the Horizon; Iona, which has a two-game lead in the MAAC; and Boston University, which is 12-2 in the Patriot League.