It's the first day of December, so we're going get antsy and start keeping an eye. Below, we've got which teams have gone nearly a flip of the calendar without a scratch. We'll be running this feature every Wednesday until no teams remain. And we promise you: no teams will remain, eventually. As we creep closer to Christmas, we'll really breakdown the teams and give a scope of the remainder of their season, where they could get seeded, where the first loss should come, etc. For now, here's a quick rundown of the flawless and who's next up on their schedules.
Also, a teaser for next week's edition: We'll be exposing those who've yet to earn a win. So this is a warning: Get that W this week, lest you meet the hot coals.
Unbeatens remaining: 28.
Cleveland State (8-0). Wouldn't you know it: A Vikings team that actually knows how to win. Between Cleveland State, Loyola (listed below) and Butler, the Horizon is already prettay, prettay interesting. And Cleveland State's been a nuisance for in- and non-conference foes alike for the better part of the past half-decade. Perhaps you remember when the Vikes knocked off Syracuse at the buzzer, in the Carrier Dome, two years back. Next two games: Thursday at Green Bay; Saturday at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Notre Dame (8-0). The Big East has rightfully gotten a lot of love over yet another strong start (remember how long it took for a team to finally lose ONE game at the start of last season?). The Irish are as much a reason for all the ink as anyone else. Mike Brey doing it in ways we can't yet identify. Now, after going 8 for 8, the team gets a breather. That a good thing? Next two games: Dec. 8 at Kentucky; Dec. 11 vs. Gonzaga.
Georgetown (7-0). Austin Freeman, Jason Clark and Chris Wright could very easily play themselves into being the best backcourt in the country. Hey, that's not a joke. And if you saw Georgetown steal an overtime victory from the hands of Missouri last night (thus bumping Mizzou from this list), you'd be prone to agree. Next two games: Saturday vs. Utah State; Dec. 9 at Temple.
Loyola (Ill.) (7-0). The Ramblers are on the horizon of owning the Horizon. Game you should be following closely tonight is the one we've got detailed following the end of this sentence. Next two games: Tonight vs. Butler; Saturday vs. Valparaiso.
Pittsburgh (7-0). The Panthers are the fourth-best group in the country at assists and rebounds. And this team can run, too. Rhode Island, Maryland, Texas lay in their wake. Rightfully called as the Big East favorites. See you next week right back here. Next two games: Tonight vs. Duquesne; Saturday vs. Rider.
Syracuse (7-0). Jim Boeheim has said he doesn't like this team all that much right now. Typical Boe. And the 'Cuse is off to yet another 7-0 start. Can someone run the numbers: How many 7-0 starts does Boeheim have? It must be more than 20. Next two games: Saturday vs. N.C. State; Tuesday vs. Michigan State.
Boise State (6-0). Plenty of matchups that pit undefeateds against each other will assure our collective group is whittled down in fine fashion. The Broncos are a likely victim within the next week. Next two games: Sunday vs. Long Beach State; next Wednesday at UNLV.
Brigham Young (6-0). No one's on the hook like Jackson Emery, who predicted an undefeated regular-season campaign for his team. Heck, one site's dedicated its undefeated-teams watch in his name. Next two games: Tonight at Creighton; Saturday vs. Hawaii.
Connecticut (6-0). Six and oh and oh so sweet right now. That's life with the best player in the country so far, Kemba Walker. Walker's averaging 30 points per game and is shooting the ball from 3 at a 41-percent clip. Plus he's a deadly slasher to the tin. Alex Oriahki has been solid, too. No one thought UConn was remotely capable of this sort of start. How long does it last? Next two games: Friday vs. Maryland-Baltimore County; Dec. 8 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson.
Duke (6-0). Wins over Marquette and Kansas State already is impressive, but even more so when you consider that kind of early-season resume is par for the course with Mike Krzyzewski. Here's our definitive statement: Duke will not be one of the final three teams left on this list. Next two games: Tonight vs. Michigan State; Saturday vs. Butler.
Kansas (6-0). The Jayhawks haven't lost yet because they share so well. Their 22 assists per game is the best average in the country. We know the Colts are down this year, but that's what Bill Self's team has become at the college level. Just continually putting out 12-4, 13-3-esque seasons like it's nothing. Next two games: Thursday vs. UCLA; Tuesday vs. Memphis
Indiana (6-0). It was a great November, evidenced by Tom Crean's recruiting. So the undefeated record was just icing on the cake, really. Hoosiers fans can't get too excited about this season until they see how this group matches up against Kentucky in 10 days. Next two games: Tonight at Boston College; Saturday vs. Savannah State.
UMass (6-0). The Minutemen are technically 5-0, as one of their wins came against a non-D-I school. Still, let's pay attention to Derek Kellogg's team, which could be a surprise in the A10 this year like Saint Louis was last season. Next two games: Tonight at Quinnipiac; Saturday vs. Boston College.
Ohio State (6-0). Whoo. Bucks look good. Real good. You see how they completely shut down Florida State last night-in Tallahassee? And the 'Noles should be a tournament team this year. Yeah, NCAA tournament. And OSU did them badly. Roster-wise, one through seven, the only team that looks better is Duke. Next two games: Dec. 9 vs. IUPUI; Dec. 12 vs. Western Carolina.
San Diego State (6-0). Kawhi Leonard, how we love thee so. Slowly but surely, everyone's going to get plenty familiar with the Aztecs, even if they drop a game soon. Great-looking tilt tonight against the Gaels. Next two games: Tonight vs. Saint Mary's; Saturday vs. Wichita State.
South Dakota State (6-0). It's the surprise squad of the Summit League. The Jackrabbits (this team needs to get good, fast, so everyone can know its moniker) score in high numbers and also move the ball extremely well. Next two games: Saturday vs. North Dakota State; Dec. 8 vs. Mayville State (NAIA school).
Tennessee (6-0). Don't believe anyone had the Volunteers getting out to this start. Hey, anything to keep the conversation away from barbecues and photographs. Next two games: Dec. 11 at Pittsburgh; Dec. 14 vs. Oakland.
UNLV (6-0). The Runnin' Rebels are no joke, as Jeff wrote about recently. There's a game at Kansas State later this month. It's possible the team could still get past the Wildcats, too. Keep an eye. Next two games: Tonight at Illinois State; Saturday at Nevada.
Baylor (5-0). The Bears are taking a lot of time off after tomorrow night's game. It's all because of finals; Baylor's the premier academic institution in the Big 12. Such scheduling could keep them safe from being booted off our watch, while others get picked off here and there. Next two games: Thursday vs. Arizona State; Dec. 15 vs. Bethune-Cookman.
Central Florida (5-0). Forgive us for being presumptuous again, but we're not seeing how the Knights knock off the Gators in Gainesville. Next two games: Tonight at Florida; Saturday vs. Southeastern Louisiana.
Cincinnati (5-0). Bearcats held Dayton to just 34 points over the weekend. Could this team be the annual sneaky one that grapples toward the top of the Big East standings? Next two games: Tonight vs. Wright State; Saturday at Toledo.
Hawaii (5-0). The Warriors have played surprisingly well out of the gate, but this will be their only appearance here. Next two games: Tonight at Cal Poly; Saturday at Brigham Young.
Northwestern (5-0). It's a long road to the first NCAA tournament for Northwestern, but getting off to an undefeated start is going to be paramount in a tough, tough Big Ten. Basically, most out-of-conference wins are currency that's worth about one-fourth of what a W in the Big Ten will be, on average. Purdue on Dec. 31 is on the horizon. Next two games: Dec. 13 vs. Long Island; Dec. 16 vs. American.
Memphis (5-0). Josh Pastner booted Jelan Kendrick from the team, and so far, the Tigers have only gotten better. There was the close call two weeks ago against Miami in the game that kicked off ESPN's 24-hour marathon, but we won't see this team's mettle truly tested until the Kansas game next week. Next two games: Tonight vs. Arkansas State; Saturday vs. Western Kentucky.
Washington State (5-0). The Cougars won last night against Sacramento State, jumping out to a 27-0 lead in the process. It's highly unlikely Ken Bone's team can be seen in this space next week because ... Next two games: Friday vs. Kansas State; next Wednesday vs. Gonzaga.
Louisville (4-0). Cardinals, who started strong last season and stumbled toward the end, have been very quiet in the wake of whooping Butler in the home/arena-opener. Next two games: Tonight vs. Florida International; Saturday vs. South Alabama.
Southern Miss (4-0). Almost don't want to include the Eagles because they've only played four games. But tonight should be a win. Plus, they're grabbing almost 50 rebounds per game, one of the best in the country. Next two games: Tonight vs. Alcorn State; Saturday at Mississippi.
Photos: AP.
Ashley Olsen Danneel Harris Veronika Vaeková Eve Brittany Lee
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