Checking in on Storylines

By Sam Federman

BoilerBall on Twitter

At the beginning of the season, Jonathan and I looked at the top headlines coming into the season. Here's an update on how those storylines are trending now that we've played a month of games, and then, some new storylines.

1. Florida's quest for back-to-back titles

The Gators have not had the start to the season that they hoped for. The additions of Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee have not adequately replaced the three superstars from last year's backcourt, and Florida is just 5-3 eight games into the season. However, those three losses are all away from home, and all came in close games. Two of them were against teams in KenPom's top seven as well. Right now, Florida doesn't look like a national championship contender, especially with a rotation that is super thin this early in the season, but things can change. I don't think Florida will shoot 27% from three the whole year, but I also don't know if they can get to the top tier.

2. Braden Smith's chase of the assist record

Eight games into the season, Braden Smith is on pace to break Bobby Hurley's assist record - assuming the Boilermakers have a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. He's averaging 8.9 assists per game, and is 247 assists away from Hurley. He's also leading one of the nation's best teams, an 8-0 Purdue squad that has big wins over Alabama and Texas Tech already.

3. Boozer, DP, and AJ

Before the season, it was all about the Big Three freshmen. Now, it's more than just three. Boozer has been incredible and might be the favorite for National Player of the Year. Dybantsa has had some ridiculous flashes, like a second half outburst against UConn in Boston. Peterson has been hurt, and will hopefully return soon. But how about Caleb Wilson, Mikel Brown Jr, Koa Peat, and Kingston Flemings, who have all been arguably the best player on excellent teams. Ebuka Okorie has been incredible for Stanford. Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas are a stud backcourt for Arkansas. Killyan Toure has stepped in well for Iowa State. We're not close to done listing impact freshmen. This has become arguably the biggest storyline in the sport.

4. Rick Pitino looking to bring another team to the title

Rick Pitino is the only coach to win a national championship at two schools. Entering the season, many thought he had the chance to become the first coach to win at three different schools. It appears that he has a lot of work to do to get there. St. John's is 4-3 and went 1-2 in Players' Era. The Johnnies don't have a point guard and have relied on Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins maybe too much for offense. Additionally, the SJU guards have struggled defensively, and there won't be a ton of opportunities for resume building wins in the Big East.

5. Houston's redemption

After losing the national championship on the last possession, Houston will probably be in the mix for another one this year. However, they're not there yet. Just like last season, Players' Era exposed some of the Cougars' weaknesses. Coming out of it though, Houston is 7-1 and will have plenty of chances in Big 12 play to be a one-seed once again.

Five new Storylines

1. Big East on Life Support

The Big East has been the worst power conference this season by a mile. Only two teams are in the top 39 right now, and every team has a loss. Big East teams are 13-21 against other high-major conferences. Georgetown started off strong, but lost to Dayton and Miami during Feast Week. Marquette is a disaster, with no wins against teams ranked higher than 192 in KenPom (even that took overtime). Creighton was soundly beaten in all three opportunties against top 75 teams. Right now, Butler, Seton Hall, and Villanova seem the three most likely teams aside from UConn and St. John's to make the tournament, and none of them are locks in the slightest.

2. Michigan's dominant Feast Week

I can't remember a Feast Week performance more impressive than Michigan's obliteration of the Players' Era Festival in Las Vegas. 40, 30, and 40 point wins over San Diego State, Auburn, and Gonzaga respectively vaulted the Wolverines all the way to the top spot in basically every predictive metric heading into December. Dusty May's team has figured out how to play three bigs together effectively, but they will also face a ton of tests in the Big Ten.

3. Kentucky's $22 million roster isn't living up to expectations

It was reported over the offseason that Kentucky spent upwards of $22 million on its roster through retention, the portal, and freshmen. It has not played like -- what is implied to be -- the nation's most expensive roster. Jayden Quaintance hasn't played yet, and a few other injuries have impacted their key players, but the Cats failed each of the first three tests of the season. Following a home loss to North Carolina where Kentucky didn't make a field goal for more than ten minutes in the second half, it may be time to hit the panic button.

4. Last ride for the Mountain West.

It's a swan song year for the MWC, with about half of the programs leaving for the new Pac 12 next season. But the league has struggled to open up the season. Only Utah State has fewer than two losses. San Diego State has fallen outside the top 50 in KenPom. Boise State has a loss to a Division II team and didn't beat a Division I team in Maui. The conference isn't in position to get the customary four-bids as we've become used to.

5. The Vandy athletics renaissance

Vanderbilt football is in the midst of its best season ever. It may have the Heisman Trophy winner. Meanwhile, on the hardwood, Mark Byington has the Commodores at 8-0 and on the path to a second straight NCAA bid. But this year, just making it is the bare minimum. No SEC team ranks higher in KenPom than Vanderbilt right now, putting them firmly in the conversation as a Final Four contender at the moment.