NCAA Basketball: Most surprising teams and players for 2021-22 season

West Virginia (11-1)

It is not a huge surprise that WVU is off to a great start, but the Mountaineers did lose three starters and more than half of their scoring from a year ago. The Mountaineers are 4-1 in Quad I and II games. Taz Sherman has continued his development and leads the team with 20.1 points a game,

Providence (12-1)

The Friars are off to their best start since beginning the 2015-16 campaign with an identical record. Providence entered the national rankings last week (No. 22/23), marking the first time the Friars have been ranked since Feb. 2016. The Friars, who have five graduate players in their rotation, are 5-0 in Quad I contests. They have two wins over ranked teams, UConn and Seton Hall.

Cornell (8-3)

With its eight victories, the Big Red has assured itself its first winning record in non-conference play since 2009-10. An even bigger surprise is that Cornell ranks second in the nation in scoring (88.1) as the Big Red shoots 49.5% from the field and knocks down 11 3-pointers a game.

They are also the 19th most efficient offensive squad, and they have 10 players averaging more than five points a contest. Cornell has victories over reigning conference champions Colgate and Coppin State. Their three losses have all come to power-5 conference teams.

Iowa State (12-0)

The Cyclones haven’t played the most daunting schedule, however, they are one of just three undefeated teams. Iowa State’s returnees accounted for just 23.3% of the minutes played and 13.3% of its scoring from a squad that went 2-22. ISU, 3-0 in Quad I contests, goes nine deep with eight players averaging at least five points a contest. Penn State transfer Izaiah Brockington, who is having a career year, leads the way with 16.9 points along with 8.4 boards.