Matt Norlander, and his list of the 20 best early season story lines for College Hoops. #19 is a list of some preseason unranked teams, that have two or less losses.
19. Surprisingly good teams, unranked in preseason, with two losses or fewer:
Clemson (10-1): Has wins over Ohio State and Florida. No. 25 at KenPom. Brad Brownell is trying to make the NCAAs for the second time in eight seasons with the Tigers.
Oklahoma (9-1): Ranked 17th and owns wins over Oregon, USC and Wichita State. The Sooners have an amazing offense and the most watchable player in the sport.
Syracuse (10-1): Jim Boeheim's most inexperienced team ever has nonetheless held its own to this point. The schedule hasn't been difficult, but few would have faulted Cuse if it was 8-3 rather than 10-1.
St. John's (10-2): Chris Mullin's team doesn't have a signature win yet, but it's the best start for SJU since 2014-15. Borderline top-10 defense.
Oklahoma State (9-2): Mike Boynton's first season as a head coach came with the FBI melodrama, yet the Pokes are responsible for Florida State's only loss
Missouri (10-2): The Tigers lost Michael Porter Jr. and decided not to let it ruin their season. In fact, there's percolating speculation that Porter could indeed return come January or February
Tennessee (8-2): The Vols were expected to be near the bottom of the SEC. Instead, Rick Barnes' team is ranked 20th this week and has a huge win over Purdue.
19. Surprisingly good teams, unranked in preseason, with two losses or fewer:
Clemson (10-1): Has wins over Ohio State and Florida. No. 25 at KenPom. Brad Brownell is trying to make the NCAAs for the second time in eight seasons with the Tigers.
Oklahoma (9-1): Ranked 17th and owns wins over Oregon, USC and Wichita State. The Sooners have an amazing offense and the most watchable player in the sport.
Syracuse (10-1): Jim Boeheim's most inexperienced team ever has nonetheless held its own to this point. The schedule hasn't been difficult, but few would have faulted Cuse if it was 8-3 rather than 10-1.
St. John's (10-2): Chris Mullin's team doesn't have a signature win yet, but it's the best start for SJU since 2014-15. Borderline top-10 defense.
Oklahoma State (9-2): Mike Boynton's first season as a head coach came with the FBI melodrama, yet the Pokes are responsible for Florida State's only loss
Missouri (10-2): The Tigers lost Michael Porter Jr. and decided not to let it ruin their season. In fact, there's percolating speculation that Porter could indeed return come January or February
Tennessee (8-2): The Vols were expected to be near the bottom of the SEC. Instead, Rick Barnes' team is ranked 20th this week and has a huge win over Purdue.