There is very little certainty this season in college basketball.

The only thing that may be certain so far is that anything can happen.

To be fair, that statement can be true in any college basketball season, but this year, it seems to be more evident than ever.

Seven times this season, a team that was at one point ranked No. 1 in the nation has lost.

Three of those times, it has been Indiana. The other four times it has either been Michigan, Duke or Louisville.

Before Indiana’s most recent win against Big Ten foe and then No. 10 ranked Ohio State on Sunday, it was fresh off of a dominant, emotional win against then No. 1 ranked Michigan on Feb. 2.

After regaining its rightful spot as No. 1 ranked team in college basketball, Indiana followed the trend of so many teams before it this season, and flopped to a school 45 minutes down Interstate 74.

Illinois upset Indiana at home 74-72 on Feb. 7 off a Tyler Griffey basket inside the paint as time expired.

Griffey, a man who scores 7.4 points per game, of all people was the hero last Thursday night.

Also, Illinois, a team with a Big Ten record of 2-7 at the time defeated Indiana, a team with an 8-1 Big Ten record at the time.

If that is not enough prove that anything can happen this college basketball season, I don’t know what is.

Meanwhile, Eastern has two big home games fast approaching. Big is an understatement — monumental seems more fitting.

After Eastern hosts Austin Peay on Feb. 14, it will host the top two teams in the Ohio Valley Conference in Murray State and newcomer Belmont on Feb. 16 and 20, respectively.

A doozy of a two-game stretch, as both teams has a combined conference record of 20-3.

While Eastern is not quite Illinois, and Murray State or Belmont are not quite Indiana, Eastern pitted against those two teams are match ups between polar opposites.

As those who keep up with my columns may know, I have been on the Murray State and Belmont bandwagons all year.

But, if I have learned anything over these past six weeks or so of college basketball, it is that there is very little certainty this season.

The only thing that may be certain so far is that anything can happen.

So if a 2-7 Big Ten team can beat an 8-1 Big Ten team at home, who’s to say a 4-8 OVC cant beat an 11-1 OVC team or a 9-2 OVC team?

Nobody.

Anything can happen.

Anthony Catezone can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].