Plenty of teams have disappointed so far in the 2015-16 college basketball season, and plenty of teams have exceeded expectations — this list features both.
In the spirit of conference play taking off, here are 10 teams that will, for better or worse, show their true colors in, well, conference play.
10. Indiana Hoosiers
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsAlthough the Hoosiers got off to a slow start, plenty of marquee wins await them in Big Ten play.
The loss of James Blackmon Jr. is a major one, but Yogi Ferrell & Co. will show why they received so much hype entering the season.
Although the Hoosiers got off to a slow start, plenty of marquee wins await them in Big Ten play.
9. Wichita State Shockers
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of bad starts, the Wichita State Shockers are 8-5. In no time, they could be 20-5 — and then some. After all, they do have a lethal backcourt, which is huge in college hoops.
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY SportsThe Texas Tech Red Raiders are 11-1. That will likely change in a hurry when they start taking on big dogs like Iowa State, Kansas and Oklahoma.
7. Northwestern Wildcats
Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY SportsIt's hard to believe in the Northwestern Wildcats for one simple reason: They haven't made the NCAA tournament. Not even once. Currently, they are giving their fans plenty of hope, as they hold a 13-2 record.
6. Utah Utes
Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsSimply put, the win against Duke is a sign of good things to come for the Utah Utes. That said, Utah is 0-2 in Pac-12 play.
5. UCLA Bruins
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY SportsThe UCLA Bruins somehow managed to knock off Kentucky and Gonzaga. Those Ws are likely outliers — wouldn't you say?
4. LSU Tigers
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsTranslation: They will compete in SEC play, and will go dancing as well.
The LSU Tigers might hold a 9-5 record, but they are a 9-5 team with the most talented player in college basketball (Ben Simmons).
Translation: They will compete in SEC play, and will go dancing as well.
3. South Carolina Gamecocks
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY SportsThe South Carolina Gamecocks have yet to lose a game in 2015-16. Surely, that will change once they start taking on teams like Kentucky, right?
2. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY SportsThanks to a slow start, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have gone under the radar. Would anyone be surprised if the Kyle Wiltjer-led Bulldogs didn't lose another game during the regular season, though?
1. USC Trojans
Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY SportsAt 12-3, the USC Trojans are headed in the right direction when it comes to making the Big Dance. However, life in the Pac-12 could be brutal for USC, especially when it plays squads like Arizona.
