Top 25 talk

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Gotta love the chicanery.


And because the new board doesn't have a direct link:

The New Top 25

[ScotsFan]

Their up-tempo, pressure defense style is unlike either Woo or Witt.  Result: 3-0 vs. Woo/Witt the past two seasons, with all three games at the NCAC team's gym.

Yes, JCU is 3-0 vs. Woo/Witt the past two seasons.  They are 2-0 @ Witt and 1-0 @ Wooster.  But, JCU was also playing this style when Wooster beat them to go to Salem in '02.  Witt is the team that has yet to figure out how to beat a team that plays JCU's style.

This brings me to my next point in that it looks like Wooster is going to be playing more up-tempo JCU like basketball this year.   So, seeing as how Witt has had trouble with JCU's up-tempo pressure style, maybe Wooster can give them the same problems and neutralize Witt's dominant interior play.  Just something to ponder...

[joe smith]

  How does a team that goes 24-4 last year, make it to the NCAA tourny, return everyone but 2 players, and not get any votes for the top 35.  I'm talking about Bethany College.  This team has won over 16 games 4 out of the past 5 years. 3 conference championships in those 5 years, 2 ncaa berths (one which they made to the 2nd round and lost to eventual Nat. Champion Otterbein), and 1 ecac berth.  I know the PrAC is no conference to brag about but this team has been consistent and deserves some national recognition.
2000: 16-10 PAC champs, ecac
2001: 21-8  PAC champs. 2nd round ncaa
2002: 11-15 4th place PAC
2003: 18-9 PAC runner-up
2004: 24-4 PAC champs, 1st round ncaa
90-46 (.662 win percentage)

[bbald eagle]

How does a team that goes 24-4 last year, make it to the NCAA tourny, return everyone but 2 players, and not get any votes for the top 35. I'm talking about Bethany College.

John Carroll University ousted Bethany 76-48 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

No small conference deserves recognition that fast, especially one that isn't even in Pool A yet.  A lot of the strong programs from weaker conferences had to be really, really good for quite a while before they got automatic respect.  I'm glad you're hear to keep us informed about Bethany, but please be realistic.  Trinity (CT) didn't get any respect either and they certainly have a better case in terms of recent rep and conference play.

[joe smith]

  I agree with both of you.  Just thought i'd throw the discussion out there.  Thanks

[Coach C]

joe -

You have to understand than when you play a schedule that is less than stellar and then you get CRUSHED in a first round game, it's unlikely that top 25 votes are going to be in the offing.

The only win of substance was early in the year to Muskingum and the next best team in the league was barely .500.  That combined with the butt-kicking that the only top 25 team on the schedule gave Bethany makes me suspicious that the 24-4 record was not quite top 25 caliber.

C

[joe smith]

  I agree not top 25 but maybe 1 or 2 votes.  John Carroll did make it pretty far if I do recall and Bethany was in the game up until the 2nd half.  I know only the final score is taken into consideration.  Their schedule I agree was their biggest achelles heel.  When I played for Bethany when we lost to Otterbein in 2001, I don't even think we got any votes for the final pool and we made to the 2nd round to a team that did get votes so it's all a wash to me anyway. 

[Coach C]

joe -

good luck this season, but let's try not to live our lives based on things that happened 'back in the day.'

C

[joe smith]

Enough said Coach C.  Enjoy the best basketball around this season in d3 hoops.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Old School,

What's the status of that poster's top 25 you spoke about last season?  Are we gonna start it up in January?

[smedindy]

Yeah, I think that could be a neat thing to do.

[Greek Tragedy]

Yeah, someone emailed me about that earlier this year.  If I get ambitious, it'll start at the beginning of the year, after all the holiday tourneys.  I'll keep you informed. 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I know #8 Albion lost last night to UM-Dearborn (NAIA).  Any other top 25's have a rough first night?

[David Collinge]

http://d3hoops.com/schedule.php?date=2005-11-18&team=m