Mark Wise

College basketball analyst for ESPN.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

Bonus) Next week, what are some questions that need to be answered in SEC hoops this season. Follow along.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

3OT) With Gonzaga moving to the PAC 12 (still getting used to saying that) and St Mary’s with a coaching change, can the WCC still be a multiple bid league. A tough one. Somewhat Likely?

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

2OT) Will NCAAT expansion hurt the product? Will there be a drop in interest or ratings? Definitely Doubtful. Seems like a thing George Carlin would say.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

OT) Can the Big East have a bounce back year with regular season success and more NCAAT bids? Highly Likely.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

5) I think there will be a great battle at the top in the A10 with St Louis and VCU. Can another team get on that tier? Doubtful.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

4) Lot’s of great storylines from last year, including not only the regular season but the NCAAT run by Nebraska. Can the Huskers make it back to back for the first time since the early 90s? Likely.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

3) Will the SEC have the most NCAAT bids come March? Likely.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

2) With another year of emphasis on cleaning up “freedom of movement”, will that hold through, let’s say, the end of January? Highly Doubtful.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

1) I am not legally versed in the court battles for eligibility, but I ask this question. Will the roster uncertainty continue into the start of the season? Seems Likely.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

@hoopjunkies This week on the Wednesday 5, let’s play a game of Likely or Doubtful from around college basketball for the 2026-27 season. Follow along.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

Might be early on the calendar, but never too early to start my exhibition tour for the upcoming season. Outdoor hoops from Charleston! Vandy vs Virginia.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

The very best thoughts to the family and friends of Chris Spatola from the entire college basketball community.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

3OT) Finally, I wanted to pass along the gut punch I got when reading about Chris Spatola passing yesterday. I did not know Chris that well, but others I respect in this business, had the highest respect for him.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

2OT) Some others I think you might interesting…. Arizona 1.1. Tennessee 1.05. So making the Elite 8 again should not be the expectation, it should be noted for how special it is. Houston and their run of success, .5! Think that K Sampson dude can coach?

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

OT) My favorite is Kentucky. I am native Kentuckian so if there is a broadcaster who gets it, it’s me. The Cat’s number is 1.7. So if your expectation is hanging that 9th banner, that is just not realistic.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

5) Would it surprise you to find UConn at 1.65 while winning 4 titles? It makes the D Hurley run look even more incredible. Florida 1.65 while winning 3 titles. Michigan St 1.8. Purdue 1.25 which makes the Painter run sensational.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

4) The numbers drop off dramatically after the Blue Devils. I am not giving all the teams. You can do the math for your team. Kansas 2.25. North Carolina 2.05 while winning 2 titles. Gonzaga 2.0. So yes, get to the second weekend is the expectation.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

3) What program do you think is at the top? Duke at 2.95. I argue that Duke fans have the right to expect their team in that regional final every season. Winning a title cannot be the expectation….that is just the hope.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

2) Win a game it’s +1, win 2 games, +2, and so on. Win it all and it is +6. Add it all up and then divide by 20. Since most power teams are judged by their NCAAT success, this will give you the avg number of wins over 20 years. Some numbers will shock you.

[Mark Wise @MWhoops]

1) Why 20 years? It takes into account, different coaches, different players, injury riddled seasons, minimizes just bad luck, among other things. Here goes. If you miss the tourney it’s a -1. Make the tourney but lose in the first round, a zero.