HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars looks on during the first half against the Auburn Tigers of the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 at Toyota Center on November 09, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
I just know it’s miserable to be an opposing player against this defense for 40 minutes.
Iowa State
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 17: The Iowa State Cyclones logo on. Pair of shorts during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Great guard play rules in March, and this team has 3 excellent ones.
Kansas
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 20: A view of the Kansas Jayhawks logo on their uniform during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum on January 20, 2024 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Up and down season so far but the talent on the roster is undeniable
Baylor
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: The Baylor Bears logo on pair of shorts before a college basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Statement win over Utah to open conference play
Arizona
MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 15: A picture of the Arizona Wildcats logo on shorts during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on November 15, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Live by Caleb Love, die by Caleb Love
Cincinnati
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 22: The Cincinnati Bearcats logo on a pair of shorts during a second round game of the Maui Jim Invitational college basketball Tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lahaina Civic Arena on November 22, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Followed up a great win over Dayton with a horrible loss against Kansas State
BYU
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 29: Egor Demin #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars dribbles the ball during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Rady Children’s Invitational at LionTree Arena on November 29, 2024 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Great rebounding teams with tons of depth and shooting tend to be pretty good
West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – FEBRUARY 20: The West Virginia Mountaineers logo on the floor before a college basketball game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the WVU Coliseum on February 20, 2023 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Beating Kansas without 2 of your starting 5 is one heck of an accomplishment.
Texas Tech
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 18: Detailed view of the Texas Tech logo seen on a players uniform during a game against the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on November 18, 2014 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU won the game in overtime 69-64. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
JT Toppin is back, but a home loss to UCF is not how you want to start conference play
UCF
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – DECEMBER 31: Darius Johnson #3 of the UCF Knights passes the ball during the first half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena on December 31, 2024 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Have already beaten Texas Tech and Texas A&M. This team can play with anyone.
Kansas State
MANHATTAN, KANSAS- DECEMBER 08: The Kansas State Wildcats logo on a pic of shortsduring a college basketball game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Bramlage Coliseum on December 8, 2021 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The best roster money could buy is starting to turn the corner.
Arizona State
PROVO, UT – DECEMBER 31: Jayden Quaintance #21 of the Arizona State Sun Devils keeps his eyes on a shot during warmups before their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Marriott Center on December 31, 2024 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Jayden Quaintance is going to be a problem.
Utah
CHARLESTON, SC – NOVEMBER 17: The Utah Utes logo on a pic of shorts during day two of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball game against the Houston Cougars at the TD Arena on November 17, 2023 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Have not yet found a way to replace Deivon Smith’s production from last year.
Colorado
LYNCHBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 17: The Colorado Buffaloes logo on pair of shorts during the quarterfinals of the Paradise Jam college basketball tournament against the Quinnipiac Bobcats at The Vines Center on November 17, 2017 in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Buffaloes won 70-69. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
They need to get back to playing like the team that beat UConn in Maui
TCU
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 18: The TCU Horned Frogs logo on appear of shorts during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Capital One Arena on December 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The loss of Frankie Collins for the season really hurts.
Oklahoma State
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – FEBRUARY 20: The Oklahoma State Cowboys logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on February 20, 2023 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Have a lot of good players but are not yet a good team.
