Top 10 Most Surprising College Basketball Teams of the 2019-20 Season
The 2019-20 college basketball season was highly unpredictable. No single team emerged as a clear dominant force, and the competitive balance meant that any team could beat another on any given night.The season's unpredictability made the 2020 tournament highly anticipated, though it was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it's worth remembering the teams that quietly climbed near the top of the rankings that year. These squads were poised to be dangerous dark horse contenders had the tournament taken place.
I don't know where this team's talent came from, but they are impressive and a fun team to watch. Currently sitting at 24-0, boasting the only undefeated record left this season. The Aztecs have little room for error now if they want a number 1 seed, but they are dangerous for sure.
How about coming out of nowhere.
What on earth is going on with the Tar Heels? UNC is in a rare down year with everything that could possibly go wrong happening to them. This team isn't just bad. They are historically awful. How about 10-13 and 3-9 in the ACC, a game out of last place? I feel bad for Cole Anthony. He doesn't deserve this. The Duke game is the perfect summary of this season in a nutshell.
Much like San Diego State, Dayton has seemingly turned good overnight. They have a potential star in Obi Toppin. Their record is 21-2 with both losses coming in overtime at the hands of Kansas and Colorado. The Flyers are 2-3 seed caliber, and they will be dangerous. Don't underestimate them.
So far, Illinois has been not bad. They are 16-7 overall and 8-4 in a loaded Big Ten conference, sweeping Michigan and Purdue and a win over Wisconsin. They have been a pleasant surprise so far. Will they go anywhere? Who knows, but there's potential here.
Like Illinois, Rutgers has been another pleasant surprise so far. They have beaten Penn State and Seton Hall. Currently sitting at 8-5 in the conference and 17-7 overall, don't sleep on Rutgers being relevant again.
The Buffaloes are back to being relevant again. The PAC 12 is wide open, and Colorado is leading the charge so far at 8-3 in conference play while they sit at 19-5 overall. If they win the conference, they could be a 5 seed or higher.
Baylor is back in business. They have always been good, but Scott Drew has built this team into a number 1 seed and a national championship contender. They are undefeated in conference play, including a win against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. They have shown vulnerability at times, but they keep winning.
The Pirates are quietly one of the best in the country with one of the best tournament resumes. They have wins at Villanova and Georgetown, and a loss at Xavier looks merely like a fluke. They are closing in on a conference regular season title, and if Sandro Mamukelashvili can continue to play at a consistent level, this team is Final Four bound.
Louisville has been a solid team throughout the entire season. They have been reliant upon guys like Jordan Nwora and David Johnson, who has not been putting up numbers that blow you away, but he's been an unsung hero for this team.
Penn State should be a dangerous team after getting snubbed from the top 16 reveal. They are on a 6-game win streak. Just a game behind Maryland in the Big Ten and have an 11-5 record against Quadrant 1 and 2 opponents. They have been top 20 in KenPom, BPI, and NET. They're a top 16 team in my book. Don't sleep on them.