Top 25 talk

[Mr. Ypsi]

Brandeis has 4 losses.  At this rate, they won't even make the ncaa tourny.

Brandeis probably will be in. Still a lot of season left and four losses is a lot better than most teams anyway!

I know that Brandeis had an awful weekend, but I don't understand how whether or not they are a tournament team at this point could even be in question.  Yes they have lost 4 games already, but look at the teams they lost to.  Rochester and WashU were both #1 at one point this year, and UMD could be #1 this week.  Losing to Chicago at home is inexcusable.  Regardless though, take a look at the teams on the poll on the front page, Brandeis has played 4 of those 5!  Yes, they're 1-3 in those 4 games, but I don't see how you can just say that since they have 4 losses already their stock should be in question.  Their strength of schedule has been ridiculously high, and will only continue to get tougher in the UAA.  Now though if the way Brandeis played this weekend continues.....well then thats a whole other story...........

Note that the d3hoops.com poll has NOTHING to do with pool C selection (there are top 25 teams omitted every year), but their strength of schedule does probably allow them 1 or 2 more losses than nearly any other team.  With no conference tourney for pool A redemption, I'd say they should be mildly concerned with a 6th loss; very nervous with a 7th.

And don't pile on to the 'chubby' one - he didn't define 'at this rate'.  Maybe he meant 'the last 3 games'!

[sac]

And thats why there is a second round of league games...so the best teams can rise to the top.  The tourney worthy teams will prove they belong by continuing to win games

Except in the NESCAC. 

[fpc85]

And thats why there is a second round of league games...so the best teams can rise to the top.  The tourney worthy teams will prove they belong by continuing to win games

Well, for MOST conferences anyway....

hmm....the nescac champion has been a proven winner in the ncaa tourney.

[fpc85]

And thats why there is a second round of league games...so the best teams can rise to the top.  The tourney worthy teams will prove they belong by continuing to win games

Except in the NESCAC. 

obviously the other conferences should follow suit

[Pat Coleman]

New No. 1 team named.

[LogShow]

Will the rest of the poll be released soon? 

[scottiedawg]

Top Vote Getting Movers

+7 UW Platteville
+5 Wooster
+5 St Thomas
+5 Ursinus
-7 Brandeis
-8 Elmhurst
-8 Randolph Macon
-16 Milsaps

This ignores teams that went from zero votes to some votes (Lawerence, Albright, Carleton, Richard Stockton), and those that went from some votes to zero votes (Middlebury, Rhode Is Col, Gustavus Adolphus, etc).

[Pat Coleman]

Will the rest of the poll be released soon? 

No.

Oh wait, yes.

[Titan Q]

This is about as much parity as I can recall in Division III.  I have seen #1 Wash U, #10 Augustana, #21 Elmhurst, #24 Wheaton, and top "ORV" Occidental, and there just isn't a heck of a lot of separation there at all. 

What makes Wash U the best of the group is their depth in the starting five.  In addition to their superstars (Troy Ruths and Tyler Nading) the Bears start 3 other good players who can beat you.  Those teams I listed above all have a weak spot or two...on a neutral floor though, these would all be close games.

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see anything close to a dominant team this year.  I see a whole bunch of pretty evenly matched teams.

[fpc85]

This is about as much parity as I can recall in Division III.  I have seen #1 Wash U, #10 Augustana, #21 Elmhurst, #24 Wheaton, and top "ORV" Occidental, and there just isn't a heck of a lot of separation there at all. 

What makes Wash U the best of the group is their depth in the starting five.  In addition to their superstars (Troy Ruths and Tyler Nading) the Bears start 3 other good players who can beat you.  Those teams I listed above all have a weak spot or two...on a neutral floor though, these would all be close games.

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see anything close to a dominant team this year.  I see a whole bunch of pretty evenly matched teams.

wash u. was very impressive at the final four and i thought would only improve....i haven't seen the other teams but the starting 5 for wash is impressive...only amherst has a more impresive starting 5 

[Titan Q]

This is about as much parity as I can recall in Division III.  I have seen #1 Wash U, #10 Augustana, #21 Elmhurst, #24 Wheaton, and top "ORV" Occidental, and there just isn't a heck of a lot of separation there at all. 

What makes Wash U the best of the group is their depth in the starting five.  In addition to their superstars (Troy Ruths and Tyler Nading) the Bears start 3 other good players who can beat you.  Those teams I listed above all have a weak spot or two...on a neutral floor though, these would all be close games.

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see anything close to a dominant team this year.  I see a whole bunch of pretty evenly matched teams.

wash u. was very impressive at the final four and i thought would only improve....i haven't seen the other teams but the starting 5 for wash is impressive...only amherst has a more impresive starting 5 

Wash U is playing without their point-guard from last year, Sean Wallis (knee).  Wallis was probably their MVP...the Bears aren't the same team without him.

[fpc85]

This is about as much parity as I can recall in Division III.  I have seen #1 Wash U, #10 Augustana, #21 Elmhurst, #24 Wheaton, and top "ORV" Occidental, and there just isn't a heck of a lot of separation there at all. 

What makes Wash U the best of the group is their depth in the starting five.  In addition to their superstars (Troy Ruths and Tyler Nading) the Bears start 3 other good players who can beat you.  Those teams I listed above all have a weak spot or two...on a neutral floor though, these would all be close games.

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see anything close to a dominant team this year.  I see a whole bunch of pretty evenly matched teams.

they seem to be functioning at a very high level w/o him.
wash u. was very impressive at the final four and i thought would only improve....i haven't seen the other teams but the starting 5 for wash is impressive...only amherst has a more impresive starting 5 

Wash U is playing without their point-guard from last year, Sean Wallis (knee).  Wallis was probably their MVP...the Bears aren't the same team without him.

they seem to be doing very well without him.....scary to think how they would be with him.

[wc2viking]

I just want to chime in to say that I think the poll has Lawrence ranked in the right spot.  Good work to the voters.

[Pat Coleman]

Someone from Lawrence is satisfied -- my work here is done.

[LogShow]

Will the rest of the poll be released soon? 

No.

Oh wait, yes.

I knew it would eventually.  But this is the age of instant gratification, I didn't want just a teaser