One of the best parts of college basketball is its sheer unpredictability. Year after year, smaller schools rise to the occasion and take down major programs, letting fans and opponents alike know that they’re for real. Beyond the perennial mid-major powerhouses like San Diego State, Memphis and VCU, new squads emerge every season as candidates to make a tournament run, and this year is no different. Here are a few of these teams that have impressed early on.
High Point Panthers, Big South
The Panthers have come out blazing this year, boasting a 5-0 record. This includes a narrow win over a talented UAB team last week, showcasing their ability to compete with quality competition. Unlike many other teams, High Point’s true strength comes in their depth. Contributions come from across their roster, making them a team difficult to gameplan against and setting them apart from the rest of the Big South. It’s likely that the Panthers will dominate the conference, and hope to finish the job this time around after a crushing defeat against Longwood in the tournament last season. High Point is scheduled to play in the Cayman Islands Classic alongside teams like Boston College and Boise State, where they can bolster their resume before entering conference play.
Charleston Cougars, Colonial Athletic Association
Charleston aims to make their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and solidify themselves as a CAA powerhouse. A double-overtime victory and early game of the year candidate against Florida Atlantic has proven their resilience early on as the squad adjusts to new head coach Chris Mack. This comes after Pat Kelsey left for Louisville this offseason. Now sitting at 3-1, the Cougars also took down a solid South Florida squad. Their high-tempo offense has been anchored by senior forward Ante Brzovic, who hit the game-winner against FAU. Despite coming off a tough loss against Liberty, they look to bounce back for the rest of non-conference play before gearing up for Colonial play.
San Francisco Dons, West Coast
Being in a conference with teams like Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s, it’s easy to overlook the Dons. However, San Francisco is proving they deserve more of the spotlight this year. At 4-0, they already have an impressive 11-point win over Boise State and recently held Chicago State to just 37 points in a blowout victory. The Dons have proven their ability to compete on both sides of the floor. Senior guard Malik Thomas has been a standout performer, winning WCC Player of the Week honors after their win over Boise State. Freshman guard Tyrone Riley IV has also been a key contributor, earning WCC Freshman of the Week. The team has challenged themselves with a tough non-conference schedule, facing off against opponents like Memphis, Clemson, Bradley and Loyola Chicago, all squads with plenty of talent. If they keep up their current level of play, they might not only secure a March Madness bid but even challenge the top of the conference.
Nevada Wolfpack, Mountain West
In a conference that’s coming off a historic six-bid season to the NCAA tournament last year, the Wolfpack hope to establish themselves as consistent field members after two straight berths. Off to a 4-0 start, Nevada’s resume already includes a double-digit win over Washington. Their other contests have not been close, taking care of business against weaker opponents. Nevada’s offense has been electric, currently ranked the second-best team beyond the arc in the country, shooting 48.6%. They have been led by junior forward Nick Davidson, who is currently averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per game. He’s complemented by seniors Kobe Sanders and Tre Coleman, both averaging double figures. With an experienced roster and proven offensive talent, the Wolfpack could make serious noise in an already stacked Mountain West.
Columbia Lions, Ivy League
Columbia is off to their best start in nearly two decades, with a 5-0 record and a statement victory over Villanova. This strong start has sparked excitement for the squad, as the Lions have not won the Ivy League since 1968. Senior guard Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa has been their key performer, averaging 22 points per game. However, the path to an Ivy League championship will be challenging, with consistently strong Ivy programs like Princeton and Yale standing in their way. However, perhaps the Lions’ win at Villanova shows they can punch above their weight. Scheduled to play No. 24 Rutgers in December, Columbia will get the chance to prove if they can really handle that level of competition. If they maintain their early success, the Lions may have a shot at ending their long March Madness drought.
It’s only November, but the non-conference schedule is crucial for mid-major programs like these ones. Their performance in these games is the best chance for many of them to show what they’re made of against higher-caliber opponents. Even just being able to hang with schools like that can be an important statement when March comes around.