Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Final Four Contender OR Pretender Part 2

 

Iowa State – Outside of a two-game slide where the Cyclones lost at Kansas and at Cincinnati Iowa State has been riding high.  Major metrics say this team is a threat to win the title and I agree.  Top 5 in the NET, Torvik, and KenPom say all that needs to be said from the computers.  As for the eye test; they pass that too.

Verdict: Contender

Houston – Year after year Houston remains in the title contender conversation.  Last year they made it to the championship game, perhaps this year is the year they win it all.  The Cougars only have 2 loses, at Texas Tech and on a neutral court versus Tennessee.  They are top 10 in all performance metrics although KenPom has them predicted to take 4 more losses this season.  I don’t see that happening and with their schedule, going 2-2 in that time frame is a win.  Kingston Fleming is the real deal.

Verdict:  Contender

BYU – BYU has lost 3 of their last 4 but still remain 15th at KenPom and the NET.  Torvik has them at 27 and I have to lean with Torvik on this one.  Their defense doesn’t seem to track high enough to make a Final Four run and I actually don’t see them making the second weekend.  AJ Dybansta is going to be a stud in the NBA but a good 13 seed or 5 seed in the second round is going to drive them into fast stupid shots and the upset will hit.

Verdict:  Pretender

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