Chaos Reigns as Traditional College Basketball Titans Stumble
With March Madness less than three weeks away, several blueblood programs face unprecedented crises. Defending national champion Kansas (17-9) suffered its worst regular-season defeat since 1948 – a 91-57 thrashing by BYU – completing a disastrous Utah road trip where they never led against either BYU or Utah. The Jayhawks’ collapse mirrors broader turmoil among recent champions:
- North Carolina (15-11) has lost 5 of its last 8 games despite boasting college basketball’s toughest schedule
- Virginia risks its first losing season in 15 years after winning the 2019 championship
- The past eight national champions combined record: 48-42 in conference play
DII Dark Horses Primed for Cinderella Runs
While DI programs falter, these unranked DII teams could make tournament noise:
| Team | Record | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Duluth | 13-3 since January | Beat defending champ Minnesota State |
| Lubbock Christian | 8-game win streak | Top-20 scoring defense |
| Carson-Newman | 93 PPG average | Two 19+ PPG scorers |
The South Central region appears particularly volatile after recent upsets.
Coaching Carousel Heats Up
Auburn’s Bruce Pearl leads Andy Katz’s Coach of Year rankings after guiding the Tigers to No. 1 status despite their limited Final Four history. Other notable candidates:
- Dusty May (Michigan) revitalizing Big Ten program
- Richard Pitino (New Mexico) overcoming roster turnover
- Todd Golden (Florida) building SEC contender
Softball Showcase Kicks Off Championship Season
The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic features 31 teams across California’s Big League Dreams complex through February 23. Key matchups include #1 UCLA facing Arkansas and Nebraska in prime-time games that could shape postseason seeding.
