NCAA Basketball: Power conferences’ 2019-20 surprising and disappointing teams

Big 12

Surprise: West Virginia Mountaineers 10-1

In the Big 12, things have pretty much gone to form so far this season but the West Virginia Mountaineers have gone from a middle-of-the-pack preseason team to being ranked 22nd in the country with a 10-1 record. Bob Huggins’ team has certainly bounced back from a lackluster 2018-19 and are just two points away from being undefeated, losing to St. John’s 70-68.

The most impressive part of the Mountaineers’ season so far was the back-to-back wins over Northern Iowa and Wichita State and are once again one of the best defensive and rebounding teams in the country, ranking in the top-10 in field goal percentage defense, three-point defense, offensive rebounds per game and total rebounds per game. The forward duo of Oscar Tshiebwe and Derek Culver have combined to pull down nearly as many rebounds (18.7) as points scored (24.3) to lead West Virginia offensively.

Disappointment: Iowa State Cyclones 7-4

As I said, things have gone to form so far in the conference, so picking a disappointing is a bit more difficult. But the Iowa State Cyclones are just 7-4 and although their losses were to Oregon State, Michigan, Seton Hall, and Iowa, their best wins have come against Seton Hall and Alabama. As expected, Tyrese Haliburton has led the Cyclones with 17 points and 7.7 assists, but getting Penn State transfer Rasir Bolton eligible immediately has been key for Steve Prohm’s team to give Haliburton a running mate. Bolton is averaging 13 points, three rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. The forward duo of George Conditt IV and Michael Jacobsen have been key, pulling down 12.7 rebounds and 18.7 points for Iowa State this season.