Biggest surprises, disappointments and storylines one month into men’s basketball season

Biggest Surprises, Disappointments, and Storylines One Month Into Men’s Basketball Season

Let’s be honest: if you made preseason predictions for this college basketball season, you might want to grab an eraser. What seemed like a safe bet just a month ago has already been turned upside down. The early weeks of the season have been a whirlwind of surprises, disappointments, and emerging storylines that have left fans and analysts alike scrambling to make sense of it all.

Take UConn, for example. The Huskies, fresh off back-to-back national championships, have stumbled out of the gate. Their 0-3 performance at the Maui Invitational during Thanksgiving week was a shocker, and it nearly knocked them out of the national rankings entirely. More concerning, though, is the growing doubt surrounding their ability to chase a third consecutive title. The once-dominant Huskies suddenly look vulnerable, and the college basketball world is wondering: if not UConn, then who?

So far, no team has stepped up as the clear favorite to claim the crown. The race for the national player of the year is equally murky. Duke’s Cooper Flagg, widely projected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, has been impressive but hasn’t yet delivered that signature, season-defining performance. Meanwhile, Auburn’s Johni Broome and Marquette’s Kam Jones are making strong cases of their own. It’s shaping up to be a thrilling race to the Wooden Award.

Biggest Surprises of the Season So Far

Myron Medcalf: The Tennessee Volunteers have been the biggest surprise for me. They’re likely to start the week as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll, which is remarkable considering the talent they lost from last year’s Elite Eight squad. Dalton Knecht, now an NBA rookie of the year front-runner, and Jonas Aidoo, who transferred to Arkansas, were key pieces. Yet, with Zakai Zeigler and North Florida transfer Chaz Lanier, Tennessee has improved offensively while maintaining their trademark defensive toughness under Rick Barnes.

Jeff Borzello: I’ve been surprised by the struggles of some of the most proven players in the country. North Carolina’s RJ Davis, Alabama’s Mark Sears, and Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson have all been inconsistent. Davis is shooting just 35% from the field, Sears is at a career-low 37%, and Dickinson is averaging his fewest points since his freshman year. Their teams need them to step up if they want to contend.

Joe Lunardi: The SEC has been a revelation. We knew the conference would be strong, but it’s exceeded expectations. The SEC could set a record for the most NCAA Tournament bids in a single season, potentially surpassing the 11 teams the Big East sent in 2010-11. Right now, the SEC projects to send 12 teams, with at least one more on the bubble.

Teams Losing Their Shine

Medcalf: I’m out on UConn as a title contender. Dan Hurley’s championship teams were loaded with NBA talent, but this year’s squad lacks that same depth. One coach who faced UConn this season told ESPN that the Huskies no longer strike fear into opponents. That’s a troubling sign for a team with championship aspirations.

Borzello: I’m skeptical about Houston. Their defense is solid, but they lack the shot creators needed to win a title. Last year’s team had Jamal Shead to bail them out in tough spots; this year’s team doesn’t have that luxury.

Lunardi: North Carolina is another team I’m losing faith in. They’ve struggled against major conference opponents and barely escaped Dayton in Maui. This is the same program that missed the tournament two years ago as a preseason No. 1. With RJ Davis on the roster, that shouldn’t happen, but here we are.

Teams Gaining Momentum

Medcalf: I’m all-in on Duke. Despite some late-game struggles against Kansas and Kentucky, the Blue Devils have shown they can hang with the best. They’re led by Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick, and boast the nation’s top adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom. Come March, they’ll be a force to reckon with.

Borzello: Auburn has been a revelation. Johni Broome is the Wooden Award favorite, and freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford is emerging as a star. The Tigers have played like one of the best teams in the country through the first month of the season.

Lunardi: Don’t sleep on Marquette. Kam Jones has stepped up in a big way, and the Golden Eagles are building a résumé worthy of a No. 1 seed. They’ve lost just once, at Iowa State, and look like a legitimate title contender.

Bold Predictions for the Rest of the Season

• Medcalf: Another elite coach will announce their retirement. The demands of NIL and the transfer portal have already pushed legends like Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams out of the game. Don’t be surprised if another big name follows suit.
• Borzello: Only one No. 1 seed will make the Final Four. Parity is at an all-time high, and the NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever.
• Lunardi: The SEC will dominate the NCAA Tournament, sending more teams than the Big Ten or ACC and potentially placing two teams in the Final Four.

With so many twists and turns already, this college basketball season is shaping up to be one for the ages. Buckle up, because the madness is just getting started.