USC- Entering the season ranked 10th, USC had extremely high expectations for this season. On Nov. 7th everything changed. Assistant Tony Bland was indicted by the FBI because of a major recruiting scandal involving sophomore guard De’Anthony Melton. Melton has not been cleared to play this season by the NCAA. Without Melton, the Trojans best defender, their defense has been miserable. They have limped out to just a 10-5 start, certainly not ideal for a preseason top 10 squad.
Northwestern- Chris Collins and Northwestern had just made their first NCAA tournament ever and won a game in it. They only lost one starter. They were ranked inside the top 20 in the preseason rankings. Unfortunately for Northwestern, they simply haven’t lived up to the hype. Maybe it’s the expectations. Maybe it’s because they don’t have that chip on their shoulder anymore. Either way, the Cats are just 10-5 and have lost by more than 25 twice.
Wisconsin- Wisconsin has made 19 straight NCAA tournament appearances. They have made four straight sweet sixteens. Needless to say, this Wisconsin team doesn’t look like a tournament team, much less a sweet sixteen team. The badgers did lose 4 of 5 starters including Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig. But did anyone expect them to be this bad? Not really. With the exception of rising freshman Brad Davison, Ethan Happ has gotten little to no help. The Badgers are just 8-7 and their streak of 17 straight top four finishes in the Big Ten will likely come to an abrupt end.
Providence- The Friars made the NCAA tournament last year, and only lost walk-on Casey Woodring. Their preseason expectations were to be a borderline Top 25 team. This Providence team certainly has not lived up to the hype. They have struggled mightily and are just 10-5. They only beat Stony Brook, Rider, Belmont, and Brown by a combined 11 points. In order to reach the tournament again, the Friars are going to have to turn their season around quickly.
HartOnHoops 