Bracketology 2021: 10 biggest winners from opening month of season
By Joey Loose
A few teams have really shined in the first month of college basketball; which teams have helped build their Bracketology resumes the most?
No matter how you look at it, this college basketball season is going to be unique, unexpected, and chaotic. We’re already dealing with the ramifications of the national pandemic, creating a very fluid schedule for most of the nation. At the same time, the regular chaos we’d expect from a college basketball season has created some very fascinating basketball, even just a month into the season.
After last season’s cancellation, it’s very likely that the NCAA will do whatever possible to make sure the NCAA Tournament happens as scheduled this season. While teams adjust to the norms of the pandemic, they have to balance their player’s health and safety with scheduling and winning games to improve their resumes for later this season. When March Madness happens, only the very best teams are going to get into the NCAA Tournament, though some teams are already making their mark.
Not all conferences nor teams are created equal, and the opportunities to shine are certainly limited for some teams compared to others. A few teams have greatly exceeded expectations already, while others have done exactly what they needed to do to build a strong nonconference resume. With conference play already beginning, and starting soon for the other leagues, it’s going to take a strong effort from the power conference teams on the bubble to make their way onto the national stage.
We’re going to take a closer look at some of the teams who have really stood out in the last month; but this isn’t just a look at the best teams. We’ll be focusing on the teams that have greatly improved their standing in the eyes of bracketology. We’ll also be considering those who have taken advantage of significant opportunities even if they aren’t exactly soaring up the seed lines.
Either way, there are plenty of teams that have stood out through the first month of play for all the reasons previously mentioned. Without further ado, let’s starting detailing the teams who have already made their mark as we approach the beginning of the New Year.