You could argue that this is the second-most important portion of the season. League play is obviously important, but it doesn’t give teams the opportunity to build their tournament resumes the way that the early non-conference schedule does. So many bubble teams are on life support in early March, but they could have done themselves a favor by scheduling better for November.
This article spots some programs that are using November to their advantage.
It’s not easy as easy as it used to be to predict which team would be good and bad headed into a college basketball season. With coach and player movement as free as ever, fans don’t find familiar rosters carrying over with continuity from season to season. And All-Star teams thrown together with star players don’t always net positive results.
However, with the 2026-2027 season underway, we are already seeing signs of who might have a good team and bad. Let’s look under the hood at early results that could have an impact come Selection Sunday.
Big 12 could be top-heavy with few bubble teams within the conference
The surprise of the college basketball season so far was the South Dakota State upset at Kansas State. Sure, K-State is still reeling from the dysfunctional exit of former coach Jerome Tang last season. And South Dakota State is a respectable program that has netted some upsets and competitive games in conference play during the last 10 years.
Still, dropping a 68–66 home opener to a Summit League opponent saddles the Wildcats with an early Quad 4 loss that Selection Sunday committees rarely forgive. For fans tracking 2027 Big 12 NCAA Tournament bubble teams and early college basketball upsets, Kansas State’s stumble proves that even power-conference contenders can dig a fatal resume hole in November.
Pair that K-State loss with TCU’s struggles with a double overtime win against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, and it’s easy to see how the Big 12 might have a problem at the middle of its pack.
Square-off in St. Louis Could Shows Arch of Team Trajectory towards Tournament
Missouri is the “Show Me State,” but the Missouri Tigers didn’t show me much transition defense during a Friday night matchup against intra-state foe, the St. Louis Billikens.
Deep in the swamp the Florida Gators could have another dynasty lurking
For all the talk about AAU-styled player movement that leads to year-to-year roster creation, the Florida Gators have an imposing front line that (oh by the way) also happens to all be champions. In watching the Gators recently, I heard the ESPN telecaster cite how 87% of the Gators offensive production had returned this season from last. He said that was the first time that Florida had this dynamic since the 2007, 2008 repeat championships. The Gators look the part of a favorite to win another championship.
By bringing back a dominant veteran frontcourt featuring forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon alongside Naismith Defensive Player of the Year center Rueben Chinyelu, head coach Todd Golden avoided the transfer portal growing pains plaguing other top programs. That rare roster continuity makes the preseason No. 1 Gators one of the safest 2027 March Madness national championship favorites on the board.
