As the college basketball season kicks off, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of upsets, surprise performances, and unexpected struggles. With every game, fans and analysts alike are quick to form opinions, sometimes reacting with heat-of-the-moment takes that don’t always reflect the bigger picture. Mark Pope, head coach of the BYU Cougars, knows firsthand how quickly a season can change, and he’s seen plenty of overreactions in his career.

 

Here are five early-season hot takes in men’s college basketball that need to be viewed with caution — because, as Pope would tell you, it’s still a long way to March.

 

1. The Top-Ranked Team Is Unbeatable.

 

It’s a familiar story: a team starts the season strong, rises to the top of the rankings, and fans immediately declare them the team to beat. But history has shown us that early-season rankings can be misleading. In any given year, the preseason No. 1 is often dethroned by midseason, and teams that start slow or have one rough stretch come January often find their stride later.

 

Mark Pope knows this all too well, having seen his own teams rise and fall in the rankings over the years. Early season chemistry issues, non-conference scheduling quirks, or a couple of bad shooting nights can throw a team’s ranking into question. Rather than crowning a team as unbeatable, it’s important to recognize that the season is a marathon, not a sprint. The real title contenders are often the ones who gel late, not just those who dominate in November and December.

 

2. A Loss to a Mid-Major Means the End of the Season.

 

When a major program drops a game to a smaller, lesser-known opponent, it’s easy to overreact and assume the season is doomed. Fans and pundits alike will quickly point to a loss as proof that a team isn’t as good as they thought. However, Mark Pope, who has coached at both small programs and major universities, is well aware of how tricky non-conference games can be.

 

Mid-major teams are often hungry, with players playing with a chip on their shoulder, eager to make a statement. On any given night, a top-tier team can be caught off guard by the energy and execution of a well-coached mid-major squad. A loss in November or December, while frustrating, doesn’t define a team’s season. In fact, these losses can sometimes serve as important learning experiences and provide a wake-up call for bigger challenges ahead.

 

3. A Freshman Is a ‘One-and-Done’ Star Based on Early Performances.

 

Every year, there’s a rush to anoint freshman phenoms as future NBA stars after a few good games. While some players, like Zion Williamson or Anthony Davis, make immediate impacts, it’s important to recognize that college basketball is a different beast. Freshmen often take time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the game, especially when they face tougher competition in the grind of a full season.

 

Mark Pope, who’s seen many young players develop over time, understands that a few early-game performances — whether good or bad — don’t paint the full picture of a freshman’s potential. By midseason, the nuances of college basketball, like team dynamics and defensive schemes, become more of a challenge. A freshman who struggles early can still grow into a star, just as a hot start can often be followed by growing pains as defenses adjust.

 

4. An Injury to One Key Player Ruins a Team’s Entire Season.

 

Injuries are an unfortunate reality of sports, and they can certainly alter a team’s prospects. However, it’s a mistake to assume that one injury will completely derail a season. Coaches like Mark Pope know that depth, system, and versatility are often what carry a team through adversity.

 

While losing a star player can be a significant blow, many teams have found ways to adjust by increasing the roles of other players, tweaking their system, or even benefiting from the rise of unexpected contributors. Overreacting to an injury early on can be premature, especially when the team has the right pieces to adapt and continue competing.

 

5. A Strong Non-Conference Schedule Guarantees Success in March.

 

It’s tempting to think that teams who shine in non-conference play are destined for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. However, Mark Pope would be the first to tell you that the NCAA Tournament is an entirely different animal. Non-conference games are important for building a team’s resume, but they often don’t fully reveal how a team will perform under the pressure of March Madness.

 

The best teams in the country are often the ones who get better as the season progresses. By the time conference tournaments roll around, teams that struggled early on might have hit their stride, while teams that dominated non-conference play may falter when faced with the unique challenges of tournament basketball. Non-conference success is important, but it doesn’t guarantee a smooth path to the Final Four.

 

Conclusion.

 

The early-season excitement in college basketball often leads to strong opinions and hot takes, but it’s crucial to keep perspective. Teams and players evolve, injuries happen, and the unpredictable nature of the tournament makes every season a unique journey. As Mark Pope knows, the key to a successful college basketball campaign is not overreacting to early-season results but remaining focused on long-term growth, adaptation, and resilience. With that mindset, any team can rise to the occasion — and the real season often starts after the first few months.