Today in College Basketball.
College Basketball feels like mid-March, in mid-January.
The holidays have came and went, the conference schedule has only just begun. Yet, the Madness is evident. Road teams struggling at an alarming rate early.
In a week where we saw number 1, 2, 3, and 5 all lose within 30 hours, it is safe to say the Madness is real.
Some teams have lived up to the expectations while others have fallen off a cliff. There is also that small circle of teams who have exceeded expectations by miles.
What does this mean half way through January? Well for one, we can assume we are in line to have one of the best March’s in recent memory. As great as last March was, this one is bubbling early.
Teams Over Achieving
Teams like Grand Canyon, Utah State, Seton Hall, Oregon, Arizona State, and Wisconsin have looked to be elite early on this season. Utah State after a comically crazy ending on Saturday have now won 15 in a row and only have one loss on the season.
Oregon is undefeated in the Pac-12 and after Arizona losses on Saturday to Washington State who had an amazing week last week, the Ducks are in first place in the Pac-12. Second place, 4-1 Arizona State.
Wisconsin has reach the peak of being considered top three in the Big 10 and with Illinois and Purdue falling last week, who knows maybe they are the best.
Grand Canyon is another team like Utah State with only one loss, and are winning in an electric fashion.
In the Big East, Seton Hall sits atop after starting 2024 off HOT.
Will Wade has went through a lot over the last few seasons. He served a 9 game suspension to begin this season, and since has done nothing but win.
Small Conference’s going to War
The Big East and Mount West have solidified that they are not just a 2-3 bid conference any more. Every game feels like a heavyweight fight without refs, or a bell.
Protect yourself at all times and be prepared to bring it or go home crying.
Both of these conferences might end up with a record number of teams in the tournament. Not only that, they will be live to make runs. Do not be surprised to see the Big East and Mount West to make up a good percentage of the Sweet 16 this season.
College Basketball is best when these conferences are playing like, well like they are playing.
My Best Four Teams Right Now (Final Four Guess)
If I had to choose right now, UConn and UNC are heads and shoulders over everybody else. UNC is doing historic things, ON DEFENSE.
In recent history North Carolina would simply be a race to 100, not this season. They have held teams to under 60 on a regular basis, and have been winning games comfortable on their way to a 4-0 start in the ACC.
UConn has gain as much as they have lost in the injury to Clingan. Johnson and Karaban have been elite down low on both ends and actually given them a different dynamic.
To round out the final four, teams like San Diego State and Illinois are thoughts, brief ones, however.
Kentucky has the most talent on campus that I have seen since the early teens. They can win in many different ways and are not only one of my favorite teams to make a deep run, but my favorite to win the SEC.
My last team is Memphis, to round out an all blue final four. Memphis has a defense that can put a fire out just by showing up. With many playmakers on offense, I believe that over the next month and a half they will figure out which roles fit together best.
Under Achieving
Off the top of my head, UCLA, USC, Arkansas, and Michigan have fallen off the face of the earth.
The saddest part being the Pac-12 teams that have been the cream of the crop, not competing in the final season in the conference of champions.
Arkansas are now 9-7, which is a far cry from the recent success that program has become accustom too.
All in all, college basketball is as exciting as ever and it is only mid-January.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on the X via @RowanDonaghey
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