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NCAA Basketball: Biggest Winners and Losers from the 2018-19 non-conference

By Adam Childs

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 27: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 27: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 30: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines drives to the basket past Sam Sessoms #3 of the Binghamton Bearcats during the second half at Crisler Arena on December 30, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 74-52. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 30: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines drives to the basket past Sam Sessoms #3 of the Binghamton Bearcats during the second half at Crisler Arena on December 30, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 74-52. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

No. 1 Loser – Steve Alford

Alford was probably the biggest loser in college basketball this year before this week happened. Then he got fired and absolutely was. He was brought into to UCLA to help bring back the proud history that the Bruins know so well. Instead, it has turned into a bunch of years where they have come up short.

This year was no different and after getting blown out at home by Liberty it was time for Alford to go. He has had talent at UCLA but has not been able to bring it all together and get the results. Last year started off bad with LiAngelo Ball and two others getting arrested in China and then it just never got better. This year they had talent but when you can not develop a team it turns bad. Alford will probably find another job but for right now he has been the biggest loser of the non-conference part of the college basketball season.

No. 1 Winner – Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines have been the biggest surprise this year and have looked like one of the best if not the best team in the country so far this year. They are one of just four teams still undefeated and they have probably looked the most dominant doing it.

They have blowout wins at Villanova, at home against North Carolina and Purdue. They did have a close game at Northwestern and have got off to slow starts their last three games, but they were never in trouble in those three games. They continue to play some of the best defense in the country and their offense is getting better.

Next. Top players from each conference heading into January. dark

Freshman Iggy Brazdeikis has looked like a diamond in the rough and Jordan Poole has been on fire. Combine that with having one of the best coaches in the country in John Beilein and you have a very scary team.

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