Teams That Aren't Getting Much Love

[dukedevilz]

San Diego State would be my pick. They're starting to look the part of a top 10 team.

The preseason top 2 teams in the Pac-12 were UCLA and Arizona State. San Diego State has now beaten both of those teams by double-digits. Looked pretty convincing, too. They have one of the better defenses units in the country. Schkael is arguably the best shooter in America. Mitchell is extremely versatile. Mensah is back in form, manning the post, after missing a significant portion last season due to a blood clot. Kind of reminds of one of those rugged Cincinnati teams, albeit with a better offense. They don't have a superstar like Malachi Flynn, but their players mesh very well together.

What other dangerous teams are doing well, but not getting a lot of attention?

 

[Joey Bags]

Rutgers 4-0, beat Syracuse on Wednesday and will be ranked inside top 20 when conference play begins. Ron Harper Jr. emerging as one of the B1G's top talents averaging 22 PPG.

 

[UL_1986]

San Diego State would be my pick. They're starting to look the part of a top 10 team.

The preseason top 2 teams in the Pac-12 were UCLA and Arizona State. San Diego State has now beaten both of those teams by double-digits. Looked pretty convincing, too. They have one of the better defenses units in the country. Schkael is arguably the best shooter in America. Mitchell is extremely versatile. Mensah is back in form, manning the post, after missing a significant portion last season due to a blood clot. Kind of reminds of one of those rugged Cincinnati teams, albeit with a better offense. They don't have a superstar like Malachi Flynn, but their players mesh very well together.

What other dangerous teams are doing well, but not getting a lot of attention?

Watched SDSU game and they look legit. Two other sleepers imo are Seton Hall and Penn State.

 

[dukedevilz]

Watched SDSU game and they look legit. Two other sleepers imo are Seton Hall and Penn State.

Seton Hall beating Penn State is a great resume win. They didn't look too sharp against Oregon, however. But, I guess everyone has a game or two like that. They did a poor job at feeding the ball to Sandro.

 

[MGC_07]

I absolutely hate to say it but Michigan. They are a top 20 team in the country at least IMO. They have no amazing wins but they solidly beat some pretty good mod majors, like Toledo, UCF (who got a win against Auburn) and Ball State the preseason MAC favorite. It could be premature but they look solid aside from the Oakland game.

 

[GE Nole]

I absolutely hate to say it but Michigan. They are a top 20 team in the country at least IMO. They have no amazing wins but they solidly beat some pretty good mod majors, like Toledo, UCF (who got a win against Auburn) and Ball State the preseason MAC favorite. It could be premature but they look solid aside from the Oakland game.

I agree about Michigan. But I wouldn’t use a win against Auburn as much to point toward, even for UCF.

San Diego State impressed me a lot against Arizona State.

 

[MGC_07]

I agree about Michigan. But I wouldn’t use a win against Auburn as much to point toward, even for UCF.

San Diego State impressed me a lot against Arizona State.

SDSU is the correct answer to this question is you’re looking at resume to hype.

 

[theetommyt]

FSU. I think they’re a top 10 team.

 

[GE Nole]

FSU. I think they’re a top 10 team.

I think you’re spot on for what we will be by February. Our depth seems like a major work in progress right now though. Gotta find someone besides Balsa underneath.

 

[Kevin Bryan]

Watched SDSU game and they look legit. Two other sleepers imo are Seton Hall and Penn State.

Seton Hall got smoked by Oregon and Rhode Island. I do have them -4 against St. John's today though.

 

[dukedevilz]

I think you’re spot on for what we will be by February. Our depth seems like a major work in progress right now though. Gotta find someone besides Balsa underneath.

What happened to Tanor Ngom? Is he having trouble adjusting to the D-1 level?

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

Really not sure why we aren’t ranked so I’ll say us

 

[SheriffBufordTJustice]

Baylor

 

[GE Nole]

What happened to Tanor Ngom? Is he having trouble adjusting to the D-1 level?

Lack of preseason seems to be hurting him. He can’t stop fouling and is slow to rotate in our switching D. I’m hoping that by mid-January he can give us 10-12 min a game.

 

[KUhawks34]

Kansas. Everyone thinks we such.

Baylor. They are the best team.

 

[dukedevilz]

Really not sure why we aren’t ranked so I’ll say us

Michigan was #23 in my preseason poll. FWIW, my 2019-20 poll was much more accurate than the AP Poll.

One thing I couldn't figure out, is why Hunter Dickinson kept falling in the recruiting rankings - especially when you consider the fact that he got the better of Evan Mobley last season.

 

[GE Nole]

Michigan was #23 in my preseason poll. FWIW, my 2019-20 poll was much more accurate than the AP Poll.

One thing I couldn't figure out, is why Hunter Dickinson kept falling in the recruiting rankings - especially when you consider the fact that he got the better of Evan Mobley last season.

Dickinson was a beast of a recruit. I was really disappointed he chose Michigan over FSU. He’s gonna be a stud.

 

[dukedevilz]

Baylor

Kansas. Everyone thinks we such.

Baylor. They are the best team.

Baylor? What? They were preseason #2. I don't think anyone was overlooking them. Flagler has been a nice surprise, though. Really impressed with him. Defense is rock solid.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

OP you follow it closely have we reached the point where SDSU is under valued as a program in general? It feels like they are nails most years.

 

[SheriffBufordTJustice]

OP you follow it closely have we reached the point where SDSU is under valued as a program in general? It feels like they are nails most years.

They fit that Gonzaga mold and have done well but not to the level of Gonzaga

For them their important games are in the preseason and are playing against teams whose important games are during the conference season.


They are a decent basketball team. 15-25 most years.
Their peak is the Sweet 16 as of right now.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Clemson has a couple good wins.

 

[dukedevilz]

Dickinson was a beast of a recruit. I was really disappointed he chose Michigan over FSU. He’s gonna be a stud.

Would have liked to see him at Duke. I think we were too late in the game for him - and we went all in on Mark Williams. But yeah, he's really been showing up. Still puzzled why he kept falling in the rankings. He started out as a top 10 recruit as a sophomore. Kept slipping and slipping a few places. He really helps solidify UM's frontline, as they probably have one of the top 5 frontcourts in America. Very impressive freshmen.

Clemson has a couple good wins.

I like them a lot. Much improved team - and the defense is stout. Would like to see Brownell play Aamir Simms and PJ Hall together. They certainly look better than Duke in the early going, which may not be saying much, but I could see them being a top 25 team.

 

[Crappy Davenpot]

Lack of preseason seems to be hurting him. He can’t stop fouling and is slow to rotate in our switching D. I’m hoping that by mid-January he can give us 10-12 min a game.

Time is short for him right? 1 year, or can he redshirt?

 

[UL_1986]

Seton Hall got smoked by Oregon and Rhode Island. I do have them -4 against St. John's today though.

Ah didn’t see that. They looked decent when we played them. Granted we essentially let them back in the game per usual.

 

[GE Nole]

Time is short for him right? 1 year, or can he redshirt?

He only has 1 year, but I think it’s a free year for everyone this year right? So does he have two? Honestly, all that is confusing to me.

 

[ExitFlagger]

Baylor? What? They were preseason #2. I don't think anyone was overlooking them. Flagler has been a nice surprise, though. Really impressed with him. Defense is rock solid.

A lot of people view Drew’s teams as frauds no matter what their record is or where they’re ranked.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Ah didn’t see that. They looked decent when we played them. Granted we essentially let them back in the game per usual.

Playing with 8-10 pt leads are not easy. The other team almost ALWAYS makes a run.

I will say UofL did beg that team to get back in the game. Not the best "in game" coaching that day. They took a quick contested shot repeatedly from like the 12 min mark to the 4 min mark.

S Hall is ok dominant big dude some experience on the team I think UofL caught them on their 1st game of year maybe. Then again they caught UofL with a few guys out.

 

[Crappy Davenpot]

He only has 1 year, but I think it’s a free year for everyone this year right? So does he have two? Honestly, all that is confusing to me.

Yeah me too.

 

[HoosierstuckinIowa]

Seton Hall beating Penn State is a great resume win. They didn't look too sharp against Oregon, however. But, I guess everyone has a game or two like that. They did a poor job at feeding the ball to Sandro.

Had a hell of a game today. Really impressed with his skill set.

 

[Kevin Bryan]

He only has 1 year, but I think it’s a free year for everyone this year right? So does he have two? Honestly, all that is confusing to me.

Yes, this is a free year of eligibility for everyone. I'm surprised Perry Ellis didn't come back for his 21st season.

 

[HoosierstuckinIowa]

Yes, this is a free year of eligibility for everyone. I'm surprised Perry Ellis didn't come back for his 21st season.

No doubt. It would have been a perfect year for him and Evan Boudreaux to come back for their 17th year.

 

[dukedevilz]

OP you follow it closely have we reached the point where SDSU is under valued as a program in general? It feels like they are nails most years.

San Diego State is interesting. I don't think they're extremely undervalued, if you simply consider the past 10-12 years. That's essentially how long they've been a relevant program. They've been in the preseason top 25 three times - and they've finished in the final top 25 four times. So, just about right on par. Some of those Steve Fisher teams were really good, consistently top 10 defenses. They have that Cincinnati/FSU mold - long, athletic, and defensive-minded. If you put in a very capable offensive threat like a Kawhi Leonard or a Malachi Flynn, they easily go from a fringe top 25 team to a top 10 team.

Steve Fisher had a bit of a lull at the end of his tenure, as he missed the tourney his final two years. Dutcher missed the tournament in 2019. So, that was three misses in a 4-year span. Going into last season, they were completely off the radar. No receiving votes in the AP, and KenPom had them at #91 in his preseason ranking. They were highly regarded in the early 2010's, but had lost a lot of that fire between Fisher's final few years and Dutcher's first few seasons. One top ten season can completely change the perception, of course. They had a few receiving votes coming into this season. I think the concern coming into the season was the backcourt. Schalke-Mitchell-Mensah was a top 25 frontcourt coming into the season, no question. But, with Trey Pulliam and Terrell Gomez as the projected backcourt starters, there were some legitimate concerns with how good this team could be. They don't have a dominant lead guard like last year, kind of doing so by committee. So, that might limit their ceiling a bit. But, they're rock solid on defense - and the players work well within the offensive system. Good-looking team. I do wonder about their recruiting, however. Fisher was consistently bringing in top 100 guys. Dutcher is mostly bringing in 3-star recruits and transfers. 5 of their top 9 players are seniors (not sure how it will work with the free year). So, it will be interesting if he can sustain this type of success without signing any 4-star guys.

 

[dukedevilz]

Had a hell of a game today. Really impressed with his skill set.

Extremely skilled. He can take it inside, or get his shot off from the perimeter. Great off the pick-and-roll. Good ball-handler. Unbelievable court awareness for a big man - or any player, for that matter. Should be a lock for 1st Team All-Conference.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

San Diego State is interesting. I don't think they're extremely undervalued, if you simply consider the past 10-12 years. That's essentially how long they've been a relevant program. They've been in the preseason top 25 three times - and they've finished in the final top 25 four times. So, just about right on par. Some of those Steve Fisher teams were really good, consistently top 10 defenses. They have that Cincinnati/FSU mold - long, athletic, and defensive-minded. If you put in a very capable offensive threat like a Kawhi Leonard or a Malachi Flynn, they easily go from a fringe top 25 team to a top 10 team.

Steve Fisher had a bit of a lull at the end of his tenure, as he missed the tourney his final two years. Dutcher missed the tournament in 2019. So, that was three misses in a 4-year span. Going into last season, they were completely off the radar. No receiving votes in the AP, and KenPom had them at #91 in his preseason ranking. They were highly regarded in the early 2010's, but had lost a lot of that fire between Fisher's final few years and Dutcher's first few seasons. One top ten season can completely change the perception, of course. They had a few receiving votes coming into this season. I think the concern coming into the season was the backcourt. Schalke-Mitchell-Mensah was a top 25 frontcourt coming into the season, no question. But, with Trey Pulliam and Terrell Gomez as the projected backcourt starters, there were some legitimate concerns with how good this team could be. They don't have a dominant lead guard like last year, kind of doing so by committee. So, that might limit their ceiling a bit. But, they're rock solid on defense - and the players work well within the offensive system. Good-looking team. I do wonder about their recruiting, however. Fisher was consistently bringing in top 100 guys. Dutcher is mostly bringing in 3-star recruits and transfers. 5 of their top 9 players are seniors (not sure how it will work with the free year). So, it will be interesting if he can sustain this type of success without signing any 4-star guys.

Probably have to work the transfer portal, which may not be the worst way to go these days.

 

[boilerzz]

I'll go Clemson. How many other teams have 3 double digit wins over P6 programs?

Aamir Sims is a beast and Nick Honor is fearless.

 

[UL_1986]

Playing with 8-10 pt leads are not easy. The other team almost ALWAYS makes a run.

I will say UofL did beg that team to get back in the game. Not the best "in game" coaching that day. They took a quick contested shot repeatedly from like the 12 min mark to the 4 min mark.

S Hall is ok dominant big dude some experience on the team I think UofL caught them on their 1st game of year maybe. Then again they caught UofL with a few guys out.

Just glad we got the dub. With essentially 3 starters out. Yugely impressed with Dre Davis, DJ, and JJTraynor, and Withers this year.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

Just glad we got the dub. With essentially 3 starters out. Yugely impressed with Dre Davis, DJ, and JJTraynor, and Withers this year.

Were they the original Ultramagnetic MC's?

 

[UL_1986]

Were they the original Ultramagnetic MC's?

Oh yes they are the truth

 

[dukedevilz]

Probably have to work the transfer portal, which may not be the worst way to go these days.

The rate of return can be phenomenal when you consider transfers are ready to commit a few weeks after the initial contact. You often have to be invested in a top-ranked prospect for a couple of years before they're ready to commit.

 

[sdave]

San Diego State is interesting. I don't think they're extremely undervalued, if you simply consider the past 10-12 years. That's essentially how long they've been a relevant program. They've been in the preseason top 25 three times - and they've finished in the final top 25 four times. So, just about right on par. Some of those Steve Fisher teams were really good, consistently top 10 defenses. They have that Cincinnati/FSU mold - long, athletic, and defensive-minded. If you put in a very capable offensive threat like a Kawhi Leonard or a Malachi Flynn, they easily go from a fringe top 25 team to a top 10 team.

Steve Fisher had a bit of a lull at the end of his tenure, as he missed the tourney his final two years. Dutcher missed the tournament in 2019. So, that was three misses in a 4-year span. Going into last season, they were completely off the radar. No receiving votes in the AP, and KenPom had them at #91 in his preseason ranking. They were highly regarded in the early 2010's, but had lost a lot of that fire between Fisher's final few years and Dutcher's first few seasons. One top ten season can completely change the perception, of course. They had a few receiving votes coming into this season. I think the concern coming into the season was the backcourt. Schalke-Mitchell-Mensah was a top 25 frontcourt coming into the season, no question. But, with Trey Pulliam and Terrell Gomez as the projected backcourt starters, there were some legitimate concerns with how good this team could be. They don't have a dominant lead guard like last year, kind of doing so by committee. So, that might limit their ceiling a bit. But, they're rock solid on defense - and the players work well within the offensive system. Good-looking team. I do wonder about their recruiting, however. Fisher was consistently bringing in top 100 guys. Dutcher is mostly bringing in 3-star recruits and transfers. 5 of their top 9 players are seniors (not sure how it will work with the free year). So, it will be interesting if he can sustain this type of success without signing any 4-star guys.

its Fish