This college basketball season has been entertaining. The number of upsets continues to amuse the crowd. There are no more undefeated teams left in the middle of January! I imagine March Madness will be interesting this year.
BYU had a rough start in the Big 12. I thought they would go 0-3 as UCF pulled off an unexpected upset against Kansas this week. My alarm bells went off when BYU ranked as high as #14 before conference play. When they lost to Utah, I figured it was the Big 12 bias in basketball overhyping the Cougars so they could pad the stats for some other Big 12 opponent.
At 1-2, it's nothing to celebrate. I hope BYU doesn't end up outclassed like in football. If they qualify for the Tournament this year, that's an accomplishment for their debut in the Big 12.
With all the upsets to supposed lesser teams, I think BYU might do okay if their opponents don't land 40%+ of their three-pointers. Houston, Kansas, and Texas look very beatable at this time. Who knows, maybe Baylor is the Big 12 champion this year.
As for Villanova, they had a rough pre-conference. The Wildcats aren't the same without Jay Wright as the coach. Fortunately, they are holding their ground in the Big East. At 4-1 in conference, I think it's better than expected since they are at 11-5 overall. Those losses against St Joseph's and Drexel were unfathomable.
The good news is, I'm optimistic as long as Villanova can get an 8th seed or better in March. History has proven they can do well as a top-seed or middle-of-the-pack team. We shall see if they can get past those pesky Pirates at Seton Hall this year. Seton Hall always seemed to give Villanova bloody noses regardless of how well the Wildcats were doing that year.
With UConn and Butler back in the Big East, I'm bullish for the Big East. These teams could go deep in the Tournament (like Villanova) if you allow them to be in it.
Well, there is still plenty of basketball. I shall observe with great interest.