5 College Basketball Storylines You Missed Waiting for Bowl Season to End
By Evan Wolff
The craziness of the college football's bowl season can suck up all the oxygen in the room in short order. That's simply the way of things. But all the while, college basketball was serving up its own series of wild moments. Here are five things you may have missed as bowl mania revved up to its peak.
1. Clemson's Historic Shocker in Chapel Hill
✊ THE DROUGHT IS OVER. pic.twitter.com/l850E5te1x
— Clemson Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) January 11, 2020
How long was this drought, you may ask? Clemson entered the evening of Jan. 11 0-59 all-time when playing North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That all changed when the Tigers closed regulation on a 17-4 run to force overtime, and then went on to shock the Tar Heels on their home floor. Only one win in ACC play so far for UNC? Yikes.
2. James Wiseman Leaves Memphis
What a crazy year it has been for Memphis basketball and James Wiseman. After the 7-foot phenom was caught in the middle of an impermissible benefits scandal and suspended for 12 games, he later decided the hassle wasn't worth it. He signed with an agent in December and ended his college career before it ever really had a chance to get going. Despite this, Memphis is 13-3 and a potential threat come March.
3. What is Happening to These No. 1 Teams?
RAISE THE AXE BABY!
— SFA Basketball (@SFA_MBB) November 27, 2019
IT'S OVER!
DOWN GOES NO. 1 DUKE TO THE 'JACKS!#RaiseTheAxe#AxeEm pic.twitter.com/tkSqmbISTZ
If your favorite team is ranked No. 1 in the polls, watch out! From Michigan State to Duke and far, far beyond, upsets have dominated the college basketball landscape this season, creating a sense of parity that hasn't been felt in a while. Anyone can beat anyone, period. Hold on tight, folks.
4. The Big Ten is Bonkers
MSU loses by 29 to a team that scored 37 in a loss a week ago.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 12, 2020
Spartans were unbeaten in the league and # 8 when the day started. I have no idea what to make of the B1G or of most of CBB at this point. But the winner of that league is going to have a bunch of losses.
Speaking of parity, good luck designating the best team in the Big 10 right now. Iowa is 2-3 in conference play, but 11-5 overall. Penn State is 2-3 in conference and 12-4 overall. These teams can look lost on offense one night, but turn into world-beaters the very next night. The lead-up to the Big 10 Tournament may be the most interesting pre-March story in all of college basketball.
5. Baylor is Absolutely on Fire
The Bilastrator’s National Team of the Week: Baylor Bears. Wins over Texas Tech and a first ever win at Kansas. pic.twitter.com/1h1G2dw9YZ
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 13, 2020
How about Baylor athletics this year?! The Bears picked apart Kansas to hand the Jayhawks their first home loss in 29 games, then beat Texas Tech to establish firm control in the Big 12. This team has rocketed up to No. 2 in the polls, and are a legitimate contender for the national title right here, right now.