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NCAA Basketball: Every conference’s biggest surprise and disappointment for 2018-19

By Joey Loose

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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WICHITA, KS – JANUARY 07: David Collins #11 of the South Florida Bulls scores a basket against Austin Reaves #12 of the Wichita State Shockers during the second half on January 7, 2018 at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS – JANUARY 07: David Collins #11 of the South Florida Bulls scores a basket against Austin Reaves #12 of the Wichita State Shockers during the second half on January 7, 2018 at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

American

Biggest Surprise (South Florida)

Very little was expected from the Bulls after turning over most of their roster before Brian Gregory’s second season at the helm. They were picked to finish dead last in the AAC and managed to win 8 conference games before all was said and done. Even better for South Florida, the Bulls secured a place in the CBI and managed to win the postseason tournament over DePaul, giving Gregory even more time for his young team to mature.

David Collins emerged as the top scorer for the Bulls and there’s a chance this postseason success could propel this program towards something bright in the future. The three years under Orlando Antigua really toppled this program, but Gregory might just have a chance to get things back on track. This team couldn’t beat the top AAC teams, but maybe next year that isn’t the case with more experience on the roster.

Biggest Disappointment (SMU)

When Tim Jankovich left Illinois State to join Larry Brown, their partnership was lauded, and it turned the Mustangs into an NCAA Tournament team. However, times have become tough, and his Mustangs really struggled this season, winning just six conference games for the second straight year. Frankly, this team is trending in the wrong direction under Jankovich.

There have been heart-breaking losses and there have been defensive breakdowns. An obliteration at UCF in late February may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back for a team that couldn’t really challenge any of the top teams in the conference. Whether it was bad luck or something entirely else, SMU’s season never really developed. Jankovich is coming back for year four in charge but he won’t survive another 6-12 campaign.

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