What has happened this year is you’re seeing the gap between the best and the worst closing like never before, especially early.
Teams at the top now are dependent on an elite freshman or lucky break of a guy like Nwora not going into the draft. The top talent is gone after a year.
Mid Majors can build their teams up over 3-4 years. Maybe not the most talented, but stronger and has better chemistry. Basketball on the high school level gives access to EVERYONE and training and playing is easier than other sports.
It’s not like football where teams just are bigger and stronger with the best talent, basketball talent is now evening out. The power conferences do have the better athletes, but the mid-majors aren’t far behind as bigger programs now can’t stockpile talent.
And all it takes is the right 5 getting hot on the right day.