The Top 10 Feel-Good Storylines of the 2017-18 NCAA Basketball Season So Far

During a year in which an FBI investigation has hovered over the sport and clouded its future, college basketball fans could use some happiness.

You've come to the right place.

From breakout stars to enormous upsets, coaches protecting their future to key players returning from injuries, there have been plenty of enjoyable storylines to follow in 2017-18.

While conference tournaments and March Madness are sure to bring more emotional moments and collections—as they always do—we're recapping the best of the season so far.

CBB World's Response to Hurricane Harvey

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One tweet sparked an overwhelming source of good.

Kelvin Sampson, the head coach at Houston, sent out a request to basketball coaches around the nation to send team apparel for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Sampson asked for 20 T-shirts and 10 pairs of shoes from each school.

NCAA rules initially complicated the efforts to distribute the gear, but Houston eventually received permission to give out the donations to local schools. Several Texas schools sent their football equipment trucks to assist with delivering the contributions.

In a time of great need, athletic programs came together. They made a tremendous impact, and it all started with Sampson's message.

Wofford Stunning North Carolina

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Entering this December clash, North Carolina—the reigning national champions—had only lost to then-No. 4 Michigan State. The Tar Heels entered the matchup with Wofford as 25-point favorites, per OddsShark. 

Easy day at the office, right?

Of course, you know where this is headed. Led by an electrifying shooter in Fletcher Magee, Wofford sprung the amazing upset at the Dean Dome. Magee poured in 27 points in the 79-75 win.

"We've got to by God be ready to play and not act like we're prima donnas, we're North Carolina and we can walk out there and the other team is going to fold," UNC coach Roy Williams said after the loss, per Greg Barnes of Inside Carolina. "That team outworked us."

Washington's Unexpected Rise

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Here's a puzzle: When a team finishes 9-22, loses 13 straight games to end the season and its best player leaves for the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick, should that roster improve?

Common basketball sense says no, yet Mike Hopkins has orchestrated a remarkable one-year turnaround at Washington.

The Huskies announced themselves as a threat in early December, knocking off then-No. 2 Kansas. Washington also has Top 25 victories over both Arizona State and Arizona, and it has an 18-9 record entering the final two regular-season weeks.

Although a place in March Madness isn't a lock, Hopkins' crew is nearing the program's first NCAA bid since 2011.

Trae Young, Oklahoma

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Trae Young didn't ask for the attention. His play demanded it.

Despite the team's recent struggles, the freshman has emerged as college basketball's marquee player of 2017-18. His shooting range and creative passing are unmatched this year.

Young ranks first nationally with 29.0 points and 9.2 assists per game. He's buried the fifth-most three-pointers in Division I. He's drawn comparisons to two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry.

The attention lavished on Young has become annoying to some, which opposing crowds have made abundantly clear with their derogatory chants. Still, he's the nation's most captivating player in a season where he was expected to be just a promising newcomer.

St. John's Second-Half Surge

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

"Roller-coaster season" hardly does justice for St. John's in 2017-18.

The Red Storm opened the campaign 10-2 for one of the best starts in program history. They entered Big East action with plenty of confidence, but then the losses began piling up—and didn't stop.

Not until the most unlikely moment of the season, that is. The skid reached 11 games before St. John's stunned No. 4 Duke 81-77 at Madison Square Garden and followed up that victory with a 79-75 triumph over top-ranked Villanova on the road.

Since then, the Red Storm have added wins over Marquette and DePaul to improve to 14-13 on the year.

Barring a deep run in the Big East tournament, St. John's won't be headed to the Big Dance. But it's easy to appreciate what the team accomplished when it easily could've lost focus.

Brad Brownell, Clemson

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Heading into 2017-18, Clemson hadn't secured a place in March Madness since 2011. Only once in the last six years did Brad Brownell's teams earn 20 regular-season victories.

Rumors were already flying about his job security in 2017, so another mediocre year likely would have ended Brownell's tenure. Instead, the Tigers are heading toward one of the best seasons in program history.

Even after losing Donte Grantham to a knee injury, Clemson has continued thriving. The team is 20-6 and fourth in the ACC with a 9-5 conference record. 

It's safe to say there won't be questions about Brownell's job security this offseason.

Udoka Azubuike, Kansas

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For more than half of the season, Kansas dealt with a "Will he, won't he?" question surrounding star freshman Billy Preston. While the Jayhawks waited for a resolution on his eligibility, Udoka Azubuike needed to carry a heavy burden in the post.

The sophomore was ready for the challenge.

Azubuike has posted averages of 14.1 points and 7.0 rebounds while registering a Division I-best 76.9 field-goal percentage. He's also swatted 1.6 shots per game for the Top 15 team.

Now that Preston has signed with a professional club overseas, Azubuike is the unquestioned leader of the Kansas frontcourt.

Tres Tinkle, Oregon State

Timothy J. Gonzelez/Associated Press

Last season, Tres Tinkle amassed 20.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals per appearance before a wrist injury ended his year. Oregon State collapsed in 26 games without him, finishing 5-27 overall.

But the forward has returned to the court, and Tinkle has helped the Beavers become competitive again. He's provided 18.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists, never scoring fewer than 10 points.

No, a 13-13 record isn't great. No, avoiding blowout losses isn't as good as winning. However, Oregon State has dropped just one game by more than 10 points—something that happened 16 times last year.

Small progress is important progress, and Tinkle is the primary reason there's optimism for the future in Corvallis.

Braxton Beverly, NC State

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Shortly after Braxton Beverly enrolled at Ohio State, the school fired head coach Thad Matta. The timing of the June dismissal was both rare and unfair to newcomers who had enrolled.

Understandably, the guard decided to transfer and picked North Carolina State. But the NCAA ruled he would not be eligible because Beverly had attended summer classes in Columbus.

The NCAA initially denied his appeal to play immediately before reversing its decision based on "additional information." Without question, it was the right choice.

And now, Beverly has become a starter for an NC State team fighting for an at-large bid to March Madness. He's averaging 9.8 points and 3.9 assists in his debut season.

Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio State

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

In 2016-17, Keita Bates-Diop missed the final 18 games of Ohio State's season because of a stress fracture in his left leg. He managed 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds during the injury-affected year.

But his comeback story isn't just, "Oh, he's back to normal."

Rather, Bates-Diop has asserted himself as the front-runner for Big Ten Player of the Year honors. The forward has gathered 19.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while leading Ohio State to a 22-7 record and the No. 2 spot in the Big Ten standings.

The serious, painful injury didn't stop Bates-Diop; it merely delayed the junior's development into a national star.

Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.