Here are the 16 teams who will compete with mini preview
No. 1 2011 San Diego State: Led by all American Kawhi Leonard, this team achieved a record of 34-3. They peaked at 4 in the AP poll, and they lost to eventual champion UConn in the sweet 16.
Pace: Snail slow
Strengths: Defense, Defensive rebounding, Offensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: three-point shooting, free throw rate.
2. 2020 San Diego State: Led by all American Malachi Flynn this team achieved an overall record of 30-2 and peaked at No. 4 in the AP poll in the season shortened by the coronavirus.
Pace: Snail slow
Strength: Shooting, defense, ball security
Weaknesses: Free throw rate, size, depth.
3. 2010 BYU: Led by Jimmer Fredette, this team amassed a record of 30-6. They peaked at 12 in the AP poll and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Pace: Lightning fast
Strengths: Three point shooting, free throw shooting, ball security
Weaknesses: offensive rebounding, experience.
4. 2011 BYU: Led by 1st Team All American, Wooden award, and Naismith award winner, Jimmer Fredette, this team achieved a record of 32-5. They peaked at No. 3 in the AP poll, they were one of only two teams to beat SDSU in the 2011 season and made it to the Sweet 16.
Pace: Super fast
Strengths: Ball security, shooting, size
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, forcing turnovers
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5. 2014 San Diego State: Led by MW POY Xavier Thames, this team achieved a record of 31-5. They peaked at No. 5 in the AP poll and reached the Sweet 16.
Pace: Slow
Strengths: Contesting shots, blocking shots, forcing turnovers.
Weaknesses: Two-point shooting, 3pt shooting, FT shooting.
6. 2005 Utah: Led by National POY and First team All American Andrew Bogut, this team achieved a record of 29-6. They peaked at 13th in the AP poll, and reached the sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.
Pace: Super slow
Strengths: Two-point shooting, defensive rebounding, offensive rebounding.
Weaknesses: forcing turnovers, committing turnovers
7. 2007 Air Force: Led by Dan Nwaelele, this team achieved a record of 26-9, and a much better KenPom rating than their record would suggest. They peaked at 13 in the AP poll, and made it to the semifinals of the NIT.
Pace: Snail Slow
Strengths: Shooting from anywhere, ball security, experience
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, rim protection, depth.
8. 2009 BYU: Led by Jimmer Fredette (apparently he was pretty good, seeing as this is his third appearance on this list), this team achieved a record of 25-8. They peaked at 25 in the AP poll and lost in the round of 64 in the NCAA tournament.
Pace: Fast
Strengths: Shooting from anywhere, ball security, defensive rebounding
Weaknesses: offensive rebounding, depth
9. 2012 New Mexico: Led by future pro Drew Gordon, this team achieved a record of 28-7. They reached at 18 in the AP poll, and made it to the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament.
Pace: Average
Strengths: Ball movement, two-point defense, three-pont shooting
Weaknesses: Ball security
10. 2013 Colorado State: Led by Colton Iverson, this team achieved a record of 26-9. They reached a high at 22 in the AP poll, and made it to the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament, losing to eventual champion Louisville.
Pace: Average
Strengths: Offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding, drawing fouls.
Weaknesses: Depth, rim protection, forcing turnovers
11. 2013 New Mexico: Led by conference POY Kendall Williams, this team achieved a record of 29-6, and was upset by Harvard in the first round of the NCAA tournament. They finished ranked 10th in the AP poll.
Pace: Slightly less than average
Strengths: Ball movement, two-point defense, drawing fouls
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, two-point shooting, three-point defense.
12. 2018 Nevada: Led by Mountain West player of the year in Caleb Martin, this team achieved a record of 29-8 behind one of the most prolific offenses in conference history. They peaked at 20 in the AP poll. They orchestrated an amazing second half comeback against No. 2 seed Cincinnati in the round of 32 and lost to Cinderella Loyola Chicago in the Sweet 16.
Pace: Faster than average.
Strengths: Three-point shooting, three-point defense, ball security
Weaknesses: Two-point defense, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding
13. 2019 Nevada: Led by first-team all-conference players Caleb Martin and Jordan Caroline, Nevada achieved a record of 29-5. They reached a high of No. 5 in the AP poll, and they followed up their Sweet 16 season with a first round loss against Florida.
Pace: Faster than Average
Strengths: Experience, 2 pt shooting, ball security
Weaknesses: Depth, Offensive rebounding, FT shooting
No. 14 2009 Utah: Led by MW POY Luke Nevill Utah achieved a record of 24-10. They did reach the 25th spot in the AP poll. They made it to the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Pace: Average
Strengths: Two-point shooting, Size, defensive rebounding
Weaknesses: Offensive rebounding, forcing turnovers, depth
15. 2011 UNLV: Led by Chance Stanback UNLV achieved a record of 24-9 in Lon Kruger’s last year as head coach of UNLV. They had a high ranking of 20 in the AP poll. They made it to the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Pace: Slightly faster than average
Strengths: Forcing turnovers, two-point defense, two-point offense
Weaknesses: Three-point shooting, free throw shooting, foul prone.
16, 2003 BYU: Led by Travis Hansen, this team achieved a record of 23-9. The Cougars made it to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Pace: Slow
Strengths: Drawing fouls, three-point defense, defensive rebounding
Weaknesses: Very foul prone, offensive rebounding
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