NCAA Basketball: Biggest Winners and Losers from the 2018-19 non-conference
By Adam Childs
No. 7 Loser – Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies had an up and down year last year. At times they looked like a top ten team and then at others they looked bad. But they made a great run in the tournament and it was thought they would compete at the top of the SEC this year. That thought went away right away as they started the year 1-4 including a loss to UC Irving. They did have a loss to Gonzaga who is really good, but they also dropped games to decent but not great teams in Minnesota and Washington.
They did right the ship a bit and win five games in a row, but they lost their most recent game to a 5-6 Texas Southern team. Again a game they have no business losing. All this has turned a hopeful year into a first half they would love to forget. The Aggies will have to finish at or near the top in the want to have any chance at making it back to the NCAA tournament this year. Right now it does not look good.
No. 7 Winner – Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia suffered the worst upset ever in the history of the NCAA tournament last year when they fell to number 16 seed UMBC. Everyone was talking about the Cavaliers and not in a good way. How would Virginia respond coming into this year? Well, so far they have passed with flying colors.
They are one of just four teams still undefeated and have only been tested a few times. Their defense is still one of the best in the country and they have even won a few games where they had to score a lot of points. The Cavaliers again have looked like one of the top teams in the country and will be a force in the ACC. They look like the biggest threat to Duke in the conference.