Unveiling Cinderella Prior to Her Arrival at the Royal Gala

The college basketball season has returned after an offseason filled with coaching changes, transfer portal drama, and the announcement of Coach K's final season. Among the teams eager to make their mark are the McNeese State Cowboys and the Indiana State Sycamores, both of whom are gearing up for their opening games on Tuesday, November 9th.

In the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship 2023, McNeese State will represent McNeese State University. The Cowboys are projected as a 12 seed and have a 23-3 record, with impressive wins over VCU, Michigan, and UAB. They are known for their disciplined play, rarely turning the ball over, and creating the 7th most turnovers on defense. McNeese State also excels at getting to the free throw line and crashing the glass, creating enough second-chance shots.

Meanwhile, the Indiana State Sycamores, currently ranked 22-5, were previously in the AP Top 25 in 1979. They play a high-risk, high-reward style of basketball, with 50% of their field goals being three-point attempts. The Sycamores boast a high three-point shooting percentage (37%), which is second in the nation, but they have struggled in their last two games, shooting an ugly 24% from three.

Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology has the Sycamores as a 12 seed, but they might slip to the 13 seed line after two losses in conference play. UConn, who repeated as national champions, winning the title last Monday night in Phoenix, are the clear favourites to win the championship, according to college basketball analysts.

Yale Bulldogs, with a top 100 offense and defense per KenPom's metrics, are also a team to watch. They currently stand at a 13 seed, and their standout player is 7'0" sophomore Danny Wolf. Wolf averages 14 points, ten boards, two assists, and a block per night. He is a smooth operator down low, has excellent ball handling skills, and has a knack for finding open shooters while in the post.

As the college basketball season unfolds, these teams and many others will strive to make their mark. The games promise to be exciting, and with the return of fan favourites and new talents, the season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

Patrick Grudberg '24, the Sports Section Editor, will be providing coverage of these games and more. A profile photo of Patrick is courtesy of Charlotte Fallon '26 and Mara Galvin '24. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as the college basketball season gets underway.