These rate as still-perfect 9
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Just more than a month after the season started, there are only nine unbeaten teams left in Division I men's college basketball.
Getting this far without a loss is no small feat. Just ask Gonzaga, which knocked off Duke and Creighton before finally losing to Tennessee last weekend.
Here's a look at each of the remaining teams with a zero in the loss column:
BUFFALO Record: 9-0 Best Start Since: 1930-31. Not a misprint. Buffalo went undefeated that season, finishing 15-0. Highlight So Far: CJ Massinburg scored 43 points to lift Buffalo to a 99-94 overtime win at West Virginia on Nov. 9. Why They're Unbeaten: Massinburg leads the way, but the Bulls also have three other players with scoring averages in double figures. They routed Arizona in last season's NCAA tournament and have picked up where they left off. Upcoming Challenge: Buffalo isn't shying away from tough nonconference matchups. The Bulls play at Syracuse and Marquette next week.
FURMAN Record: 11-0 Best Start Since: This is the best start in school history. Highlight So Far: Furman won at Villanova on Nov. 17, 76-68 in overtime. Why They're Unbeaten: Jordan Lyons leads the Paladins in scoring at 18.4 points per game. That includes a 54-point outing against Division II North Greenville in November in which he made 15 3-pointers. Matt Rafferty had 15 points and 17 rebounds against Villanova. Upcoming Challenge: The Paladins aren't in the top 100 in the rankings at kenpom.com, so there is still some skepticism. They play at LSU on Dec. 21.
HOUSTON Record: 8-0 Best Start Since: 1969-70. Houston started 9-0 that season, then later had an 11-game winning streak that ended with a loss in the regional semifinals. Highlight So Far: The Cougars beat a nationally ranked Oregon team 65-61 on Dec. 1, the night they opened their new $60 million arena. Why They're Unbeaten: The Cougars came within a buzzer beater of a Sweet 16 berth last season. Guards Armoni Brooks and Corey Davis are each averaging 16.5 points per game. Upcoming Challenge: The Cougars host LSU on Wednesday night. Their conference schedule includes trips to Central Florida (Feb. 7) and Cincinnati (March 10).
KANSAS Record: 8-0 Best Start Since: 2010-11. Kansas began that season with 18 straight wins and kept right on rolling until a loss to Virginia Commonwealth in the regional finals. Highlight So Far: The Jayhawks began the season in style, beating Michigan State 92-87 in Indianapolis on Nov. 6. Why They're Unbeaten: The Jayhawks narrowly escaped in overtime against Tennessee and Stanford, but the talent level is obvious. Junior Dedric Lawson is averaging 19.1 points and 10.6 rebounds. Upcoming Challenge: Kansas hosts defending national champion Villanova on Saturday. The Jayhawks also play at Arizona State on Dec. 22.
MICHIGAN Record: 10-0 Best Start Since: 2012-13. The Wolverines started 16-0 and ended up going all the way to the national title game. Highlight So Far: Michigan went on the road and routed Villanova 73-46 on Nov. 14 in a rematch of last season's NCAA championship game. Why They're Unbeaten:
The Wolverines were one of the best defensive teams in the country last season, and they might be even better now thanks to the emergence of 7-foot-1 Jon Teske. Freshman Iggy Brazdeikis has helped Michigan withstand Moe Wagner's departure to the NBA. Upcoming Challenge: Michigan resumes Big Ten play in January, but even then the schedule is reasonably forgiving until a visit to Wisconsin on Jan. 19.
NEVADA Record: 10-0 Best Start Since: 1951-52, when Nevada started 14-0 playing a schedule that looked a lot different than it does now. Highlight So Far: The Wolf Pack knocked off Arizona State 72-66 on Friday night in Los Angeles. Nevada trailed by 16 in the first half. Why They're Unbeaten: The Wolf Pack have experience with Jordan Caroline and Caleb Martin, and they don't beat themselves. Nevada averages only 9.1 turnovers a game. Upcoming Challenge: This unbeaten run could go on a while. There seems to be a substantial gap between Nevada and the rest of the Mountain West, but a trip to Fresno State on Jan. 12 could provide a test.
ST. JOHN'S Record: 9-0 Best Start Since: 1990-91. Lou Carnesecca was the coach and Malik Sealy was a captain on a team that also started 9-0. Highlight So Far: None of the wins has been all that eye-catching, but beating Rutgers by 19 on the road Nov. 16 was a strong effort. Why They're Unbeaten: Star guard Shamorie Ponds is the Red Storm player to watch. He's averaging 22 points a game and shooting 53 percent from the field. Upcoming Challenge: St. John's starts Big East play at Seton Hall on Dec. 29.
TEXAS TECH Record: 8-0 Best Start Since: 2009-10. Then coached by Pat Knight, the Red Raiders started 9-0 but ultimately finished 19-16 after losing in the NIT quarterfinals. Highlight So Far: Nebraska has looked pretty impressive lately, but Texas Tech handled the Cornhuskers 70-52 on Nov. 20. Why They're Unbeaten: The Red Raiders are allowing opponents to shoot just 34 percent from the field, and they have a plus-48 turnover differential through eight games. Jarrett Culver is the top scorer. Texas Tech plays Duke on Dec. 20 in New York.
VIRGINIA Record: 9-0 Best Start Since: 2014-15, when Virginia started 19-0 and lost only twice during the regular season. Highlight So Far: The Cavaliers have played a forgiving schedule, but a 53-46 win over Wisconsin on a neutral floor Nov. 23 was an impressive result. Why They're Unbeaten: The Cavaliers were roundly mocked after losing to 16th-seeded UMBC in last season's NCAA tournament, but it's still business as usual for coach Tony Bennett's defensiveminded team. Opponents have managed only 51 points per game. Upcoming Challenge: Virginia opens ACC play against Florida State on Jan. 5, but that game is at home. Trips to Duke and North Carolina loom later.