Obvious CONTENDERS (Highly Ranked): Duke (7-0), Missouri (6-0), Baylor (5-0), Xavier (4-0), Syracuse (6-0), Louisville (5-0), Marquette (5-0), Ohio State (6-0), Wisconsin (6-0), Kentucky (6-0), Alabama (7-0).
Saint Louis (A10), (6-0): Senior forward Brian Conklin has stepped up in a big way so far for the Billikens this season, averaging an even 17 ppg. Last year, not a single player posted a double-digit scoring average for this team. Joining Conklin as double-digit producers are fellow juniors Kwamain Mitchell (12.5 ppg) and Cody Ellis (11.3 ppg). While their wins so far have not been extremely impressive, they have added a tournament title to their belt with a sound thumping of the Oklahoma Sooners, 83-63, in the 76 Classic. While this team will probably not be a team knocking on the door of the Top 25 polls, these guys are definitely a good-looking this year in the A-10, but are nationall PRETENDERS.
Weber State (Big Sky), (4-0): Weber who? Here's some info on the Wildcats. They are a public institution located in Ogden, UT, with an enrollment of just over 25,000. They've appeared in the Big Dance 14 times, last in 2007, when the Wildcats, as a 15 seed, lost to UCLA, 70-42. A pair of upsets in the NCAA Tournament were handed down by them in the 90's, as they defeated Michigan State in 1995, as well as North Carolina in 1999, both times as a 14 seed. This season, they're led by two strong guards in juniors Damian Lillard (23 ppg, T6 in D1) and Scott Bamforth (18.8 ppg). They appeared to have a strong win over in-state rivals Utah State, but the Aggies appear to be in an off year, losing to before-then winless Texas A&M Corpus Christi in OT. Their only other wins are versus Jacksonville State (RPI 295), Northern New Mexico (NAIA), and California-Irvine (RPI 280). Sorry Wildcats, but this team so far are PRETENDERS. The first step to getting rid of that title comes against St. Mary's.
Illinois (Big 10), (6-0): Illinois this year has a very young team, with only two seniors and three juniors. Projected to place in the middle of the Big 10, the Fighting Illini have so far had an OOC schedule that's softer than a pillow. With wins over teams with RPI ranks 55 (Richmond), 160 (Illinois St.), 218 (Loyola - Illinois), 248 (Lipscomb), 309 (Chicago St.), and 313 (SIU - Edwardsville), this team has a long way to go. Currently, they're PRETENDERS.
Indiana (Big 10), (6-0): The Hoosiers are back, it appears. After landing a big recruiting class, including star F Cody Zeller (who, by the way, leads the team with 14.8 ppg), hopes are high in Bloomington. Last year also saw a 6-0 start, only to lose 20 out of their last 26. But this is definitely a different team. However, I think the wait for a return to power lasts one more year, so at this point IU is still a PRETENDER.
Tulane (C-USA), (7-0): Last year, Tulane went 13-17, including a dismal 3-13 in the CUSA. Not a whole lot has changed in New Orleans, and their 7 wins are against a set of teams that rivals Illinois for worst OOC schedule. PRETENDERS.
Marshall (C-USA), (5-0): Marshall is a sneaky pick for the C-USA crown this year, if they can match up with Memphis. Four easy wins preceded the solid away win at Cincinnati (dampered somewhat by Cincinnati's previous loss to the Blue Hose of Presbyterian, again at home). Not many second chance opportunities will arise against the Thundering Herd, who are sixth so far in rebounds behind junior Dennis Tinnon (8.8 rpg). So far, this team are PRETENDERS in the national picture, but with a win or strong showing against upcoming #5 Syracuse, a re-evalution may be in order.
Harvard (Ivy), (6-0): If this Harvard team does not win the Ivy League, it will be a major shock to me. Just a year ago, this team was thought by many to be a snub of the NCAA Selection Committee. With the core of this team intact this season, Harvard is poised to do even more damage; they've already won the Battle 4 Atlantis, knocking off #20 Florida State in the process, with a gritty 46-41 win. Mark this game on your calendars: December 8th @ UConn. Harvard did get lucky in not having to face the Huskies in the Battle 4 Atlantis (upset by UCF), but this team wants blood, and they want it bad. Look out for these CONTENDERS.
Creighton (MVC), (5-0): It appears the often sneaky Jays are back. Often a feared mid-seeded opponent in the NCAA Tournament in the early 2000's, it appears the Jays are back for more. With an unselfish offense who leads the NCAA in assists, Creighton has posted decent wins over Iowa and then-undefeated Campbell. This team will come and go with leading scorer Doug McDermott, who is fourth in D1 with 23.4 ppg. Already ranked, the Jays are catching eyes. And for good reason; they're CONTENDERS.
Missouri State (MVC), (4-0): Losing coach Cuonzo Martin to Tennessee hasn't hindered the Bears so far this season, who were the MVC regular season champions, before losing in a heartbreaker in the MVC title game versus Indiana State to miss the dance. With a bevy of starters gone, it will be difficult for the Bears to repeat, and with four wins versus cupcake teams, this team is a PRETENDER thus far.
UNLV (MWC), (7-0): It's pretty damn easy to say UNLV are CONTENDERS. They just beat the best team in the nation in North Carolina, led by a career-high 28 from Chace Stanback, who is second on the team with 14.2 ppg. Their next chance to make more noise comes on Dec. 10 @ #7 Wisconsin.
Murray State (OVC), (7-0): The perennial frontrunners in the OVC are off to another hot start, albeit against seven weak teams, including two NAIA teams and a D2 team to which they almost lost, Alaska-Anchorage. So far, they're PRETENDERS, but a big game for them is coming up in #21 Memphis on Dec. 11.
Auburn (SEC), (3-0): Auburn is not projected to make any significant noise in the SEC, and have defeated three subpar teams. They're PRETENDERS.
North Dakota State (Summit League), (6-0): The Summit League is one of the weakest in the NCAA. They, as many of these other teams, have played extremely weak opponents. Don't expect these PRETENDERS to be undefeated much longer.
Gonzaga (WCC), (4-0): With leading scorer and rebounder Robert Sacre returning, this team looks to win the WCC yet again, despite a challenge from BYU. CONTENDERS year after year.
