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5 teams that could overachieve during the 2023-24 college basketball season

This is ONLY October.

Check below for our list of 5 teams that could overachieve during the 2023-24 college basketball season.

In no particular order:

Maryland: Challenging Purdue and Michigan State for a Big Ten regular season title isn’t out of the realm of possibility for the Terps. Three starters — Jahmir Young, Donta Scott, and Julian Reese — are back from last season’s team that won a game in the NCAA Tournament. Kevin Willard also adds a strong freshman class, headlined by a pair of potential starters in DeShawn Harris-Smith and Jamie Kaiser. The 6-5 Harris-Smith could wind up being the best newcomer in the Big Ten. Willard has experience, youth, and improved depth. After winning 21 games in his inaugural season in College Park, the 48-year old head coach feels primed to take another step. 

Washington: “Sneaky good” would be the best way to describe the reloaded Huskies. The transfer portal was kind to Washington, who added three starters in Sahvir Wheeler (Kentucky), Paul Mulcahy (Rutgers), and Moses Wood (Portland). Top-50 freshman Wesley Yates is also expected to be an impact addition. If Keion Brooks (17.7 points, 6.7 rebounds) can have another all-conference caliber season and Washington can get enough rim protection at center from the combination of Braxton Meah and Franck Kepnang, Mike Hopkins could flirt with the Huskies’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019.

Nevada: This team won’t get the same amount of preseason attention as San Diego State, New Mexico, and Boise State in the Mountain West, but a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance could be within Steve Alford’s grasp. Despite losing Will Baker (LSU) and Darrion Williams (Texas Tech) to the the transfer portal, Alford still returns several quality pieces including Mountain West Player of the Year candidate Jarod Lucas (17 points) and do-everything guard Kenan Blackshear (14.1 points, 4.6 assists, four rebounds). Talented big man Nick Davidson (6.9 points, 4.1 rebounds) appears to be in line for a breakout season as a sophomore. Another underrated factor for the Wolf Pack? Better health. Two rotation players in 2023-24 — Hunter McIntosh and K.J. Hymes — only played a combined 10 games a year ago due to injury. 

Clemson: Does Clemson have the most underrated backcourt in the ACC? I certainly think so. With Chase Hunter (13.8 points, 4.5 assists, and three rebounds) and Syracuse transfer Joe Girard (16.4 points), the Tigers boast two potential all-conference guards. Add in a sturdy veteran at center in 6-10 senior PJ Hall (15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds) and Brad Brownell has one of the more underrated troikas in the ACC. If Clemson can move the needle during an improved non-conference schedule in November and December, it can put itself in position to reach the NCAA Tournament for the second time in four seasons. 

TCU: Mike Miles and Damion Baugh are no longer in Fort Worth to anchor the Horned Frogs’ backcourt, but Jamie Dixon’s culture still remains intact. Four of TCU’s top six scorers — Emanuel Miller, JaKobe Coles, Chuck O’Bannon Jr., and Micah Peavy — return from last season’s team that lost to Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament. Dixon also added two potential starters in Jameer Nelson Jr. (Delaware) and Ernest Udeh (Kansas) via the transfer portal; Nelson averaged 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists for the Blue Hens last season. Another NCAA Tournament berth is well within reach for this program. 

Leftovers