College basketball seasons tend to separate pretty quickly. Some early surprises fade, others hang around, and a few teams start to feel real. Vanderbilt, Iowa State, and Arizona are firmly in that last group. All three stayed unbeaten this week, all three looked the part, and all three are heading into stretches that will tell fans a lot about how far these teams can go.
Vanderbilt Is Playing Loose and Confident
Vanderbilt Commodores has gone from fun story to serious problem for opponents. The win over Alabama felt like a turning point, not just because of who they beat, but how they did it. Vanderbilt handled runs, made plays late, and never looked overwhelmed by the moment.
What stands out is how comfortable this team looks. They play with energy, they defend, and they are not afraid of big possessions late in games. Memorial Gymnasium has felt different lately, and that confidence has carried over night after night.
The next few games will keep the spotlight on. Vanderbilt hosts LSU on Saturday, then heads to Texas on January 14. Florida comes to Nashville on January 17 before a road trip to Arkansas on January 20. That is a tough stretch, but it is also a chance for Vanderbilt to prove this start is no accident.
Iowa State Just Finds a Way
Iowa State Cyclones is not flashy every night, but it is incredibly steady. The win at Baylor was another example. Things were not perfect early, but Iowa State stayed patient, made adjustments, and pulled away when it mattered most.
This team looks comfortable in close games and tough environments. They defend, they value possessions, and they never seem rushed. That combination travels well, especially once conference play settles in.
The Cyclones are about to be tested again. They host Oklahoma State on Saturday, then travel to Kansas on January 13 and Cincinnati on January 17. Those are the kinds of games where unbeaten records usually disappear. Iowa State has shown so far that it is built to handle them.
Arizona Is Setting the Standard
Arizona Wildcats continues to look like the team everyone is chasing. The Wildcats rolled past Kansas State to move to 15 and 0, and it was another night where the game felt decided well before the final minutes.
Arizona overwhelms teams with depth, rebounding, and pace. Even when shots are not falling from the outside, they control the paint and wear teams down. It feels like opponents have to play perfectly just to stay close.
The road ahead will provide real challenges. Arizona heads to TCU on Saturday, hosts Arizona State on Wednesday, and then travels to UCF next Saturday. Winning on the road in the Big 12 is never easy, but Arizona has looked prepared for that grind.
Three Teams Worth Paying Attention To
Vanderbilt, Iowa State, and Arizona are unbeaten for a reason. They are handling pressure, winning different types of games, and playing with confidence that usually shows up in teams with long postseason plans.
The next couple of weeks will tell us even more, but for now, these are three teams college basketball fans should keep circling on the schedule.