Lukas Harkins

Nov 2, 2024 | heatcheckcbb.com | Lukas Harkins

Perhaps no league in the country was as disrespected as the Big East in terms of NCAA Tournament bids last March. Despite nine teams finishing in the KenPom top 61, only three earned tickets to the Big Dance. That fact is far more jarring in hindsight than it was in the moment — but even at the time, it felt like one of Seton Hall, St. John’s, Villanova, or Providence could have gotten a bid. All were on the outside looking in for bracketologists, but all four missing the field was, well, a miss.

Oct 16, 2024 | heatcheckcbb.com | Lukas Harkins

The America East is Vermont’s league until proven otherwise. The Catamounts have won eight consecutive regular-season titles and appear poised to do so again in 2024-25. Not only did John Becker’s team finish 15-1 against AEC foes last season, but they now bring back seven players who averaged at least 15 minutes. UNH’s Clarence Daniels halted Vermont’s run of eight consecutive Player of the Year awards, but he has now departed and Shamir Bogues might put UVM back on top.

Oct 9, 2024 | heatcheckcbb.com | Lukas Harkins

To say that the Missouri Valley Conference underwent some changes this offseason would be an understatement. Gone are the head coaches from both the defending MVC champions (Indiana State) and the runners-up (Drake). So, too, are 15 of the total 16 all-conference selections. In addition to Matthew Graves taking over the Sycamores and Ben McCollum now leading the Bulldogs, more fresh faces are set to walk the Missouri Valley sidelines.

Oct 9, 2024 | heatcheckcbb.com | Lukas Harkins

After winning five NCAA Tournament games between 2010 and 2016, the Ivy League failed to win a game at the sport’s premier postseason event from 2017 through 2022. Over the past two seasons, though, Princeton and Yale have gotten the league back on track with three victories. Two years ago, it was the Tigers knocking off Arizona and Missouri to earn the league’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2010. Then, Yale’s John Poulakidas unleashed a 28-point barrage in an upset of Auburn this past year.

Oct 2, 2024 | heatcheckcbb.com | Lukas Harkins

For the first time since Butler made the national championship game in 2011, a Horizon League team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Oakland and long-time head coach Greg Kampe finally broke through their postseason drought to win both the Horizon League regular-season and conference tournament titles before upsetting Kentucky in the Big Dance. Looking ahead to 2024-25, another Horizon program could follow Oakland’s footsteps for its own breakthrough year.