What We've Learned in College Basketball So Far This Year

Say what you want about it being just a couple of weeks into the season, but there’s been plenty of storylines already happening in college hoops. We’re in the midst of holiday tournaments, which always lead to a couple of upsets and breakout names, but the storylines broke out well before that.

So, here’s what I’ve learned so far whether it’s about players, teams or the new rules. Follow me on Twitter @barstoolreags for all your picks, analysis and college hoops talk.

1) Indiana Can’t Contend for a National Title

I said this before the season started and it still holds true. In fact the loss to Wake Forest proved that. Mind you Wake was playing without a starting guard in Codi Miller-McIntyre and they still beat Indiana. The fact is simple, with Tom Crean looking like a poor ass Dwight Schrute on the sideline the Hoosiers are irrelevant. They won’t contend in the Big 10, they won’t contend for a Final Four. A lot of Hoosiers fans chirped at me about the improving defense with Thomas Bryant. Guess who got beat bad twice to lose the game? I’ll hang up and listen.

2) The New Rules are Points of Emphasis Are Helping the Game

There was a lot of debate heading into the season about what the 30 second shot clock would actually do to the game. Sure, it’s increased possessions, but would the scoring go up? It has, albeit not in thanks to the shot clock but the points of emphasis with the foul calls. However, the most intriguing number to look at is the 3-point shooting accuracy through the first 3 games last weekend. Over the last five years the average 3-point shooting through that amount of time ranged 31-34 percent. This year? 32.2 percent.

One thing to watch out for going forward that I was just made aware of by a coach is basketball asking the lead official to be hesitant on making a call and letting the trailing official being more aggressive. A study showed the wider angle view of the trailing official actually provides a better view of to what’s a foul and what’s not. This means there will be more late calls sending the crowd into a frenzy, but the call will be right more often than not.

3) There’s an Easy Recipe to Beat Virginia

If you watched the George Washington game, the recipe to beat Virginia is there this year. The defense isn’t as strong, allowing guards to get into the lane, but the real key is having a strong passing big man. The Packline defense, Tony Bennett runs focuses on the post-on-post double team, which George Washington fucking destroyed. On top of that Virginia’s offense blows. Seriously, outside of Malcolm Brogdon that team is pretty worthless offensively. Sure, Anthony Gill can be efficient, but he can’t get his own shot. London Perrantes hasn’t improved since he was a freshman. If you have a future on this team, hedge now.

4) Speaking of Futures, there are Still Sexy Ones Out There

As of this morning, I advise you to take a look at some futures. Feel free to pay me back later, but there’s a ton of value. Oklahoma at 25/1 and Cincinnati at 66/1 are the two that I would advise to put a little money on. That’s a ton of value for the second best team in the country right now and a top-25 team.

5) Player of the Year Race is Tighter than First Thought

Heading into the year, I and many others thought it was a one to two man race for National Player of the Year with Kris Dunn and Kyle Wiltjer. Well, since then Denzel Valentine recorded a triple-double against Kansas and Ben Simmons just put up a stat line of 20/20/5. Oh, then there’s Buddy Hield who scored 30 on the road against Memphis and also had eight rebounds and three steals. Seriously, there’s a ton of individual talent in college basketball this year.

ICYMI: I sat down with former Providence big man Carson Desrosiers to talk life as a Division I player: