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NCAA Basketball: Arkansas, SMU among best unbeaten teams that aren’t ranked

By Ryan Kay

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 28: Emmanuel Bandoumel #5 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs brings the ball up court during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena on January 28, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 28: Emmanuel Bandoumel #5 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs brings the ball up court during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena on January 28, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Winthrop Eagles forward Chandler Vaudrin Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Winthrop Eagles forward Chandler Vaudrin Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Winthrop Eagles

Team: Winthrop

Conference: Big South

Record: 7-0

Leading Scorer: Charles Falden and Adonis Arms are both averaging 13 points per game.

Victories: @South Carolina Upstate (twice), UNC Greensboro (neutral court), Little Rock (neutral court), Campbell (twice), and Furman.

KenPom ranking: 102

Why they are undefeated: Winthrop’s outstanding defense is the main reason why the Eagles are undefeated at 7-0 currently. The Winthrop team collectively has been able to become a defensive stopping unit that has been able to limit opposing teams’ offenses this season.

The Eagles defense has not given up more than 77 points a game this season with the exception of one recent game. Winthrop’s offense continues to put up a ton of points on the scoreboard, they have scored over 95 points in both games against South Carolina Upstate as well as scoring 94 points in the last game against Campbell.

The Eagle’s season-high on offense was accomplished when they put up 107 on the road against SCU and they have scored 80 or more points in all but one game this season thus far. They have won four games, not on their home court which is very impressive. Three of their wins have been against teams that currently have winning records and they are 4-0 in conference play.

Reasons to be Pessimistic: Somewhat similar to the Citadel’s strength of schedule, the level of competition that Winthrop has gone up against has not been overly challenging. The two victories over South Carolina Upstate are not that impressive as the Spartans are 1-9 at this point of the season.

Winthrop unless they schedule two quality non-conference opponents does not have at this time, have a strong, ranked, and or Power Five opponent remaining on their schedule but that could change as already mentioned because they could technically schedule two more non-conference games.

Next Opponent: @High Point on 01/09

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