Opinion: College basketball is getting crazier by the week because of its beautiful chaos – USA TODAY

Kevin McNamara, Providence (R.I.) Journal Published 2:15 p.m. ET Jan. 27, 2020

College basketball is not college football. Hurray for that, right hoop heads?

This college basketball season is getting crazier by the week. So far weve witnessed a season marked by frequent slip-and-falls atop the Top 25 poll, blue bloods losing to no-names, constant shuffling in the deepest conferences and an undefeated start by a West Coast mid-major not named Gonzaga.

This is the flip side of a college football world that has become boringly predictable. Minutes after a defeated Clemson walked off the Superdome carpet in the national title game, feverish sportswriters installed the Tigers as favorites to win next January. Now theres a shock. Bet LSU and Alabama were tucked closely behind the Tigers.

College hoops is a different animal, especially this season. While every fan misses the dominance of a Zion Williamson, its impossible to predict what will happen in this wide-open season. Dayton over Duke? Sure. San Diego State an undefeated, number one seed? Maybe. National champion Virginia a bubble team? Check.

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) tries to grab a loose ball against Pittsburgh during the second half at the Petersen Events Center.(Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

"People who say the regular season doesnt mean a lot are wrong. You have to qualify. You cant take qualifying for granted, said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. The top 25 could be a top 50. Theres so many teams that have a chance to be really, really good. In our sport only 68 teams make the playoffs. Its not 80 out of 100 like in football.

How upside down is college basketball this season? Let us count the ways.

The fun began back in November when Duke lost a home game to Stephen F. Austin and Kentucky was shocked by Evansville. While the Lumberjacks (17-3) sit atop the Southland and should be circled in red in your bracket come March, the Purple Aces are winless in the Valley.

When Baylor jumped Gonzaga this week, the Bears became the sixthNo. 1 team in the USA TODAY men's basketball poll.

Two Saturdays ago Duke, Auburn and Butler all lost after entering the day ranked No. 3, 4 and 5.

Then theres North Carolina. The Tar Heels are last in the ACC. Not Boston College, not Georgia Tech. Michael Jordans school. The Heels (9-10) lost star freshman Cole Anthony to a knee injury after nine games, but were only 6-3 with him in the lineup. Carolina lost a buy game to Wofford, lost to Clemson in Chapel Hill for the first time since, well, ever and is the least talented team I have ever coached, according to Roy Williams.

Hmm, talent procurement is the job of the coaching staff so what does that quote have to say about Roy and his staff?

Who is the favorite to win the national player of the year? Obi Toppin. Coach of the year? Brian Dutcher. If your reaction to those names is a head scratch, youre not alone.

What will all this unpredictability mean come March and, hopefully, at the Final Four in Atlanta in April? Throw out those assigned seeds and be very afraid if you draw Northern Iowa, East Tennessee State, Yale or some other hungry outfit.

Its cool for the game, said Notre Dame coach Mike Brey. If you think about March, if you can get in that thing why cant you dream big? Whats happened has been so interesting with the so-called top teams. Its been musical chairs. It gives more teams hope if you can qualify.

In college football only four teams earn a shot at a championship. You can name a few of next seasons qualifiers right now. In college basketball, you find trouble picking a team to win three or four games in a row.

Its crazy, its volatile, its fun. Right hoop heads?

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Opinion: College basketball is getting crazier by the week because of its beautiful chaos - USA TODAY