Prime 5 studs and duds thus far this season in males's school basketball

[ad_1] The 2025-26 school basketball season is buzzing alongside. Because the calendar 12 months prepares to show to 2026, groups are wrapping up their non-conference schedules and can enter the guts of league motion.

Because the common season is now about one-third over, it is time to take a look at 5 groups which have confirmed nice surprises, together with 5 groups which have been disappointing (in alphabetical order).

Prime 5 studs and duds in males's school basketball Greatest surprises Georgia Bulldogs (10-1, No. 25 within the Related Press Prime 25): Suffice it to say that Georgia's offense is buzzing alongside properly. The Bulldogs are averaging 98.3 factors per recreation, which is tops within the nation. They've defeated power-conference groups corresponding to Georgia Tech, Xavier, Florida State and Cincinnati. Georgia's solely setback was a three-point loss to Clemson.

Nebraska Cornhuskers: (11-0, No. 15 within the Related Press Prime 25): The Cornhuskers are off to their finest begin in program historical past. They personal wins over Oklahoma, Kansas State, Creighton, Wisconsin and, most not too long ago, then-No. 13 Illinois on the street. Nebraska is the one power-conference college that has by no means notched an NCAA Event victory. That is going to vary in 2026.

Seton Corridor Pirates (10-1): The Pirates had been picked to complete final within the Large East Convention, per that league's preseason ballot. Seton Corridor has a transfer-laden roster, and it appears to be working. The Pirates' solely blemish has been a two-point loss to Southern California, whereas Seton Corridor has triumphed over foes corresponding to then-No. 23 N.C. State, Washington State, Kansas State and Rutgers. The Pirates personal a top-10 scoring protection.

Vanderbilt Commodores (11-0, No. 13 within the Related Press Prime 25): A lot because the Commodores have been a pleasing shock in soccer this season, so, too, has the boys's basketball staff. Vanderbilt boasts a high-flying offense averaging 93.7 factors per contest. The Commodores, earlier this week, knocked off in-state rival Memphis on the street.

Virginia Cavaliers (9-1, tied for No. 23 within the Related Press Prime 25): Blue-blood packages Duke and North Carolina garner numerous the eye within the Atlantic Coast Convention, however the Cavaliers are rolling. A seven-point loss to Butler is UVA's solely setback, whereas the Cavs have dispatched Northwestern, Texas and Dayton — and common a strong 87.1 factors per recreation.

Greatest disappointments Creighton Bluejays (6-5): The Bluejays had been No. 23 within the preseason Related Press Prime 25 and forecast to complete at No. 3 within the Large East. Creighton, although, has struggled up to now. Granted, a number of of its losses have been to ranked foes, however the Bluejays have additionally fallen to Baylor and Kansas State.

Florida Gators (7-4, tied for No. 23 within the Related Press Prime 25): It could appear harsh to place the defending nationwide champs right here, given the Gators are nationally ranked. Florida has performed a brutal non-conference docket. Falling to Arizona, Duke and UConn is comprehensible, however the Gators shedding by 4 factors to TCU was a head-scratcher.

Kentucky Wildcats (7-4): Kentucky hasn't lived as much as its preseason hype. The Wildcats, No. 9 within the preseason AP Prime 25, secured a latest win over Indiana, however Kentucky has did not defeat any ranked opponent it has confronted.

Marquette Golden Eagles (5-7): The Golden Eagles, projected at No. 5 within the Large East, have been terrible in opposition to power-conference foes. Marquette's finest win in 2025-26 is in opposition to Valparaiso. What else is there to say?

Oregon Geese (6-5): The Geese, No. 5 within the Large Ten Convention preseason ballot, had suffered by a five-game shedding streak earlier than uninspiring wins over UC Davis and Portland. Whereas Oregon has been lackluster, it will get a shot at No. 7 Gonzaga on Sunday.