With a lack of elite teams leading the pack, new player of the year candidates and a plethora of storylines, the 2015-16 college basketball season was originally expected to be a wild ride to the end. One month into the season with Christmas time approaching, this season has lived up to the billing and has been a pleasure to observe. There have been the highest of the highs, the lowest of the lows, and it appears nothing will change throughout the year. But what's next? What's been fun to watch so far? Everyone needs to know all the who, what, when, where and the why. So it's time to dive right in.

Most Exciting Things To Watch So Far

1. The Monmouth Hawks and their Bench Circus:

First off, this is not a simply bad team showing off. This Monmouth Hawks basketball squad , currently 8-3 with an RPI of 22,  has won five games against power six conference opponents, including wins over UCLA, Georgetown and Notre Dame. They are arguably a top 25 team in a lot of peoples eyes, and it seems like the committee currently would have trouble keeping them away from the NCAA Tournament.

However, that surprisingly is not the only thing capturing the attention of college basketball viewers. This team has hands down the most exciting and energetic bench in college basketball. They have had some of the craziest bench celebrations, including impersonating the Sistine Chapel, Star Wars, and just about anything else you can imagine. This team has caused people to discuss rule changes to bench behavior, whether warranted or not. They have caused discussion on whether they can become the third ever school from the MAAC to earn an at large if they don't win the conference. However, what they have done is become a mid major school from New Jersey that has become one of the most likeable teams in college basketball. Monmouth, do the college basketball world a favor and play and dance your way to the NCAA Tournament, because people need to keep watching.

2. Undefeated Xavier:

The Xavier Musketeers were certainly expected to contend in the Big East and make the NCAA Tournament, possibly as a fourth place Big East team with a decent tournament seed. This team has pretty much changed everything. The Musketeers are currently an undefeated team, with the number six spot in the AP Top 25 poll with the number one RPI in college basketball. The Xavier Musketeers are usually  a very good team year in and year out - has made five Sweet 16 appearances and one Elite Eight appearance since 2007 - but this year could be something different. They look... great. Perhaps Final Four good, top seed level good, maybe even a title contender. The season is still young and maybe things can change, but right now this Xavier team has become one of the best, and in some circles the best, teams in college basketball.

This team does an amazing job rebounding the ball, on the offensive and defensive glass. They play together as a team and don't rely on one player to carry them. Xavier has five players who average double digit points, which is very impressive for a college team. 

They have mighty wins, including a 16-point win on the road against Michigan, a 10-point win over in-town rival and 23rd-ranked Cincinnati, and a blowout win over an extremely good one loss Dayton, who has beaten multiple power six opponents along the way. With the Big East Conference favorite Villanova Wildcats showing questionable results in the early season, this team may have become the best team in the Big East. Maybe X does mark the spot this year.

3. Upsets and Lack of Standout Teams:

There are currently only five undefeated teams in college basketball. They are the number one ranked Michigan State Spartans, the third ranked Oklahoma Sooners, the previously mentioned Xavier Musketeers, the postseason ineligible yet very talented SMU Mustangs, and the newly ranked Frank Martin coached South Carolina Gamecocks.  These teams are very lucky to have not lost a single game, considering how this season has gone around the college basketball landscape. There have been some of the most surprising results, including preseason number two Kentucky losing to the five-loss Ohio State Buckeyes, Northern Iowa beating two ranked teams (Iowa State, North Carolina). Multiple teams from the preseason top 25 have lost at least three games, and only two preseason top 25 teams have lost zero. There are so many teams that appear they are able to make a run in March, and part of it is because most teams have not been able to stand out. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Night in and night out, it is healthy for each program to believe it can win a game, no matter the opponent. It's as if the regular season is becoming more like March Madness.

What Will Be Exciting To Watch From This Point Forward

1. The Naismith Race:

There are a lot of noteworthy candidates to win player of the year at the moment. Denzel Valentine has been a triple-double threat all season for the Michigan State Spartans, and his versatility should continue to grab headlines. Kris Dunn has been a star point guard for the 10th ranked Providence Friars this year, and the elevation of his own play along with his teams could also make voters lean his way. Buddy Hield of Oklahoma is one of the most proficient and talented scoring guards in the nation, and his play has elevated an experienced Sooners team to national title contention. Despite his LSU Tigers team struggling mightily, perhaps stat stuffer and star freshman Ben Simmons can somehow continue to dominate and keep his name in contention for the illustrious award.

These players are probably the favorites to win the award at the moment. However, just like every year, more players will start to elevate their game and throw their hat in the ring. What if Kyle Wiltjer can get the Gonzaga Bulldogs rolling with his multi dimensional scoring attack? Maybe Marcus Paige of North Carolina can continue his return from injury and catch fire. Maybe there's a dark horse.

2. What is the best conference in college basketball?

There are four conferences at this very moment that are in the discussion for best conference: the Big 10, Big 12, Big East, and the ACC. This discussion has become surprisingly complex and it may not be answered until the whole season is over, but right now these four conferences may have the upper hand.

The Big 10 may not have as many top 25 teams per usual, but they do have three top 15 teams (#1 Michigan State, #4 Maryland and #14 Purdue). Both Michigan State and Maryland are near the top on a list of favorites to win the national title. The Big 10 may be loaded with bubble type teams, but there is a chance some of them could turn it around. Michigan may start to win more big games, maybe the Indiana Hoosiers' talent finally begins to come into play, and even Wisconsin isn't dead yet. The Big 10 could very well continue their recent success and put together multiple tournament resumes.

The Big 12 is only a 10 team league but it is deep from top to bottom. At the moment it appears six of their 10 teams (#2 Kansas, #3 Oklahoma, #11 Iowa State, #19 West Virginia, #23 Baylor, Texas) are on pace to make the NCAA Tournament, with the Kansas Jayhawks and Oklahoma Sooners leading the charge. Though the road to win the Big 12 goes through the Jayhawks, this conference potentially could have five teams with an eighth seed or better in the NCAA Tournament, and maybe another if Shaka Smart's Texas Longhorns keep improving. They are deep and there will be awesome battles come conference play.

The Big East has become a bit of a surprise, but they certainly are earning their way this year. They have three top 10 teams with a combined two losses, both coming against two ranked teams (#13 Miami and #1 Michigan State). The preseason favorite Villanova Wildcats may have lost two games against top 10 teams, but they are still the defending Big East champions and are motivated to repeat. The conference also has teams such as Marquette and Seton Hall that have emerged after a rough year, and even the Georgetown Hoyas and Creighton Bluejays may be in the conference mix. This conference is much improved.

Finally, there is the ACC. Despite some of the preseason favorites losing some tough games and suffering injuries, this conference will be a force all season. UNC was the preseason number one and even though they are currently ranked seventh because of two losses, they certainly can win the national championship. The red hot Virginia Cavaliers are motivated to erase two rough tournament losses to Michigan State and make a deep run into March. If the Duke Blue Devils get healthy, the talent is there for this team to get very far. Add in a good Miami team with great coaching by Jim Larranaga, a young fresh Louisville team with the infamous Rick Pitino as their coach, and the ACC might have enough talent at the top to get multiple teams to the Sweet 16. It is currently not clear who the top conference is, but it will be a blast to find out.

3. March Madness. Is this even a question?

This is a crazy tournament with moments of magic that will never be forgotten, and this years will probably be extraordinary. There are easily at least 10 teams who have a chance to cut down the nets, but Cinderella and potential sleepers flood the college hoops landscape. We may have to wait for the fun to begin, but it will be a whole new level of insanity.

A Few Bold Predictions for Rest of Season

The top of the Big East will continue to be a four team race. There are currently three teams in the AP top 10 in the Big East, and surprisingly Villanova is not one of them. It's not to say Villanova is not a good team, but it does show they are no longer the clear hands down favorite in the conference. You have the previously mentioned Musketeers on the rise, and they get to play Villanova on New Years Eve. There is also the Butler Bulldogs, who have won against the likes of Cincinnati and Purdue behind strong guard play and good offense. Kris Dunn has not let his Providence Friars down this season, and they have even beaten the eighth-ranked Arizona Wildcats and went toe to toe with the top ranked Michigan State Spartans. Villanova, you've got company.

The Arizona Wildcats will win the Pac 12, but four teams will end the season ranked. This years Arizona team is not as good as the last two groups Sean Miller coached in Tuscon. However, no need to panic. The mix of transfers and veterans on this unit has improved the last few weeks, and they are the Pac 12 champions until someone takes it from them. If center Kaleb Tarczewski can get healthy for the Wildcats, this team has a real shot to finally give Sean Miller a Final Four appearance. They are the only team in the Pac 12 that has been consistent, and are the team one you can trust. However, don't expect the Pac 12 to simply be all Arizona.

The UCLA Bruins have been an inconsistent team, with losses to Monmouth, Wake Forest, Kansas and UNC. However, the wins have been gold. They had a solid showing against UNLV in Maui, they upset the previously top ranked Kentucky Wildcats, and won at Gonzaga. The offensive core such as Tony Parker and Bryce Alford is starting to improve, and it's not out of the question that this team can put together a good season. They are probably not a top four tournament seed, but they are still a good group.

The Utah Utes just won a big neutral court game in Madison Square Garden against the Duke Blue Devils. They have a star big man in Jakob Poeltl who has been outstanding this season. If this team can improve on defense, there is enough shooting and talent for the Utes to return to the Sweet 16.

The final team is the Cal Golden Bears, who have been disappointing and inconsistent. The defense has struggled and led to two losses against Richmond and San Diego State. However, they have a dangerous trio of Ivan Rabb, Jaylen Brown and Tyrone Wallace, and their offense is explosive. There is still loads of potential with this team and they should find it in time to be relevant come March. Expect better from the Pac 12 the rest of the way, with Arizona leading the charge.

LSU will somehow get it together and make the tournament. Despite a stat stuffing season from Ben Simmons, this team has lost four games against teams that will either miss the tournament or are probably a double digit seed. They have been atrocious on defense and have rebounded very poorly this season. Their non conference resume is poor to the point that they need to be saved by a great performance in SEC play. Ben Simmons, who must  improve his shooting and defense, is too good of a star to miss the tournament, and with the talent this team has, the chemistry on both ends will start to click and the efficiency will rise. Expect a top four SEC finish and a top 10 level tournament seed from the Tigers.

Wichita State will also make the tournament. This team has lost five games already, which is alarming considering they have lost only six games the last two seasons combined. Their losses are to Tulsa, USC, Seton Hall, Alabama and Iowa, and it is possible that all five of those teams could miss the tournament this season. However, star guard Fred Van Vleet missed three of those games to injury, and the teams two other losses were to teams off to solid starts on the road. Since the return of Fred Van Vleet, the team has beaten two tournament level teams in Utah and UNLV. If the defense can play better in Missouri Valley Conference play, the team is still dangerous and is still the favorite over teams such as Evansville and Northern Iowa. The team may not be a top four seed come tourney time, but if they get in, the duo of Fred Van Vleet and Ron Baker will have a great chance to finish their storied careers with a deep run in March.

No power conference team will have a perfect conference record. There are some really good teams out there built to win a national championship, but absolutely none of them will beat every conference opponent. There is so much parody in basketball this season, and some conferences arguably have more than one title contender. Expect no unblemished conference records in the power conferences.

Maryland will fulfill their potential and go far in March. This starting lineup for the Terrapins is terrifying. They have a veteran big man with multi dimensional offensive skills in Jake Layman, an improving dynamic freshman in Diamond Stone, two solid transfers in Robert Carter and Rasheed Sulaimon, and are led by potential Naismith winner and dangerous scoring guard Melo Trimble. There is a load of NBA level talent on this roster, and two-way balance on both sides of the floor does exist. The Terrapins didn't play quite as well as they should have been at the beginning of the season, but this team is starting to become dominant, and the scary thing is that Diamond Stone hasn't even reached his full potential. If he can become the McDonald's All-American Maryland was getting, this team is terrifying. Nothing over hyped here.

Kansas will stop losing early in the tournament. The Kansas Jayhawks have lost in the round of 32 two years in a row, and the program needs to get back to being a dangerous tournament team. This is the year they will do so. Wayne Selden Jr. is finally starting to live up to his potential, and is one half of a dynamic backcourt with Frank Mason. However, the potential doesn't end there. The Jayhawks have loads of frontcourt talent led by Perry Ellis, the teams highest scoring returner. Ellis has never gotten far in March, and will show great motivation to do so. However, one huge key for the Kansas Jayhawks is freshman Check Dialio returning for action. The freshman big man may not be a dominant offensive force, but he is the shot blocker the Jayhawks have longed for. This Jayhawks team may finally live up to the hype after two years of doing otherwise.

In Conclusion

The rest of the season will be a blast. People, this is college basketball and we all know how crazy and exciting the season gets come conference play and into the NCAA Tournament. With the parody as high as its ever been in the college game, it only elevates the drama when the games really mean something.

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About the author
Josh Irby
An young communications and marketing, Joshua Irby is looking to sports journalism as a potential career and is motivated to write the most relevant and excellent sports articles possible.