Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Each conference’s biggest surprise so far in 2019-20

By Daniel Benjamin

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Mike Young of the Virginia Tech Hokies in action during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Mike Young of the Virginia Tech Hokies in action during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Darius McGhee #2 of the Liberty Flames reacts after a basket in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Darius McGhee #2 of the Liberty Flames reacts after a basket in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

There are a number of NCAA Basketball programs who have overachieved in the first month of the season. Who has been the best per each conference?

The NCAA Basketball campaign is through the first month of the season, and there have been quite a few upsets. Here is a look at the most surprising teams in each conference.

*All records and info are through Dec. 1.

American East: Binghamton (4-3)

Sophomore Sam Sessions has carried the Bearcats thus far this season. Sessions has totaled at least 16 points, three caroms, and three assists in six of his seven appearances. Binghamton has been an underdog in each of their seven games. The Bearcats, who are the seventh youngest team in the nation, have won four- straight and are averaging 83 points during this stretch.

American Athletic: Tulane (5-1)

The Green Wave already have more victories than they totaled all of last year (four). Tulane finished up in fifth place of the Myrtle Beach Classic this week with a win over Utah.

A-10: George Mason (8-1)

George Mason concluded the Cayman Islands Classic with a 68-64 victory over New Mexico State to give the Patriots their third straight win overall as well as a third victory as an underdog. It is the Patriots’ first tournament crown since 1993-94. GMU is also 8-1 to begin a campaign for the first time since 1983-84.

ACC: Virginia Tech (6-2)

Virginia Tech has lost two straight with both setbacks coming in the Maui Invitational. Still, the Hokies have done a fantastic job out of the gate despite being under the direction of first-year coach Mike Young and having their best player, Kerry Blackshear, transfer to Florida. Va. Tech has a massive victory over then-No. 3 Michigan State as well as an upset win over Clemson to start ACC play. Redshirt freshman Landers Nolley II is the main reason that the Hokies have thrived in the early going, averaging 20 points along with 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Virginia Tech’s returnees accounted for just 26.3% of minutes played and 16.3% of scoring from a season ago.

Atlantic Sun: Liberty 9-0

Liberty, which will close out its non-conference portion of the schedule on Dec. 2 against NCCAA Trinity Baptist, closed out November with a perfect record for the first time. The Flames also have won nine straight games to open a season for the first time. They have trailed just for 10 minutes and 33 seconds all season.

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