Parity has been on full display early in the 2023–24 men’s college basketball season. The top 10 in the AP poll have been a revolving door each week, with three different teams claiming the top spot and several others cycling in and out of the rankings after upsets and big wins. All this sets up for a chaotic (yet entertaining!) conference season, which is underway for most teams as the calendar flips. Who are under-the-radar teams that could make some noise in their respective conference races? Here’s a look at some dark horses that will make an impact on the six high-major conference title hunts.
ACC: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
There might not be a better coach in college basketball at finding under-the-radar gems in the transfer portal than Steve Forbes, and the fruits of that labor are on full display right now with the Deacs. Wake is starting four transfers and is undefeated since getting former Gonzaga Bulldogs and LSU Tigers big man Efton Reid cleared by the NCAA, part of an eight-game winning streak that has propelled the Demon Deacons into the NCAA tournament conversation.
