[Xs & Joes #27] Season in Review: The SEC's Dominance and CBB's New Landscape

Bob and Mike analyze the shifting conference power dynamics, team regressions, and unexpected success stories while reflecting on what these patterns reveal about modern college basketball.

Episode 27 offers a comprehensive year-in-review of the 2024-2025 college basketball season, examining both expected outcomes and surprising developments as the NCAA Tournament field is set.

Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth analyze the shifting conference power dynamics, team regressions, and unexpected success stories while reflecting on what these patterns reveal about modern college basketball.

Segment 1: Conference Consolidation and Power Dynamics

• The SEC dominated the tournament field, with all but two conference teams making the tournament, reflecting a growing gap in athletic talent similar to football's development in the 1990s

• Conference consolidation has created clear tiers of power, with the SEC and Big Ten at the top, followed by the Big 12 and ACC

• The hosts discuss the "eye test" difference when watching SEC/Big 12 teams compared to other conferences, particularly in athleticism and physicality

• Teams like Purdue and UConn experienced predictable regressions after losing transformative players like Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan

Segment 2: Surprising Performances

• Wisconsin transformed from a traditionally slow, methodical program to a high-scoring team averaging 80 points per game

• Louisville under Pat Kelsey made a remarkable turnaround from 8-24 (185th in KenPom) to 27-7 (23rd in KenPom) and an 8-seed

• Penn State didn't make the expected leap under Mike Rhoades despite early promising signs

• Kentucky, Michigan, and Louisville all exceeded expectations under new coaches despite initial fan skepticism about their hires

• Houston became a more complete team by improving their offensive efficiency and three-point shooting while maintaining elite defense

Segment 3: Indiana's Season and Coaching Change

• Indiana finished on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble as the "first team out" after a disappointing 10-10 conference record

• Analysis of why highly-touted transfer guards Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle underperformed relative to statistical projections

• Discussion of how roster construction and offensive system limited the team's ceiling despite having talented individual players

• A brief discussion on the ongoing coaching search, noting that patience is important as the most successful coaching hires often come later in the cycle

This episode provides a thoughtful examination of how program building works in modern college basketball, illustrating how coaching, system fit, and player development determine which teams rise and fall each season.

The discussion offers valuable context for understanding the cyclical nature of program success in an era of increased player movement and conference realignment.

Links:

• The Cranberries - Zombie (Alt. Version)

• "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" - Gordon Lightfoot (HD w/ Lyrics)

• 1985 Bears: The Greatest Defensive Season of All-Time! | Legendary Teams

• Why is Northern Ireland Obsessed with the Colour Orange?

• Ryan's Daughter (1970) Trailer

• John Andretti - 2009 Indianapolis 500 Bump Day Qualifying Run

• The Dirty Dozen (1967) - Blowing The Chateau Scene (9/10) | Movieclips

• THE QUIET MAN ('52) | Final Fight Scene ☘️🤜

• Pipes and drums of the Irish guards new guard Irish guards

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If you thoughts or comments about the episode, feel free to comment on YouTube video, comment below, or reach out to Mike (@M_Wiemuth_) and Bob (@BobMoats) on Twitter or in our BHN Discord.