Top 25 talk

[Gregory Sager]

This week's poll is out:

http://www.d3hoops.com/top25/men/2016-17/week9

[Gregory Sager]

In light of the parity discussion, out of idle curiosity this afternoon I went back and looked at the Week Eight polls from the past several seasons to see how many losses the ranked teams had suffered at that point in the season. This is what I found:

season	undefeated	one loss	two losses	three losses	four losses	five losses	avg. # of losses
2009-10	0	8	10	6	1	0	2.00
2010-11	5	3	6	6	5	0	2.12
2011-12	1	11	5	6	2	0	1.88
2012-13	4	5	11	3	2	0	1.76
2013-14	3	7	5	7	3	0	2.00
2014-15	2	3	13	5	2	0	2.08
2015-16	4	5	5	6	3	2	2.20
2016-17	1	7	4	7	6	0	2.40

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

In light of the parity discussion, out of idle curiosity this afternoon I went back and looked at the Week Eight polls from the past several seasons to see how many losses the ranked teams had suffered at that point in the season. This is what I found:

season	undefeated	one loss	two losses	three losses	four losses	five losses	avg. # of losses
2009-10	0	8	10	6	1	0	2.00
2010-11	5	3	6	6	5	0	2.12
2011-12	1	11	5	6	2	0	1.88
2012-13	4	5	11	3	2	0	1.76
2013-14	3	7	5	7	3	0	2.00
2014-15	2	3	13	5	2	0	2.08
2015-16	4	5	5	6	3	2	2.20
2016-17	1	7	4	7	6	0	2.40

I think parity goes deeper than how many losses are in the Top 25. I think conferences in the last few years have grown deeper and more competitive. Look at the NESCAC this year and where it was say four years ago. There are more teams outside the Top 25 who have just as good an argument as most of those in the Top 25. I think you will find more losses at the bottom of the Top 25 than in years past and thus more losses of those receiving votes as well. While the top is still pretty strong, it has gotten more crowded and those at the top are almost expected to take a loss in any given week than we expected in the past. I think that is where parity is these days. The top of Division III is far, far deeper than five or ten years ago and, again, far more conferences are competitive at the top then they ever were in the past.

[Smitty Oom]

Is it just me or has the Others Receiving Votes teams this year been quite bad week in and week out? Now this could be a common thing I am just picking up now, just curious.

You might need to cite any specific examples.

I don't know if he is referencing any specific results, but I feel the same 'vibe'.  After following the Top 25 for many years, it seems the ORV's are getting beaten up more than usual.  Parity?

The only thing I can really "Cite" here is the past couple weeks...

Last week 8 of 12 teams in the ORV lost a game that week. Week before it was 4 of 10 teams. 3 weeks ago it was 7 of 13. I just think that seems high to me and yes, a tribute to the parity this year. Which is backed up by Sager's research as this is the highest avg. number of losses, although that is ranked teams and we are talking ORV.

So quoting Ypsi... it is just the "vibe" I am getting as a casual fan of the top 25 ranks.

[Gregory Sager]

In light of the parity discussion, out of idle curiosity this afternoon I went back and looked at the Week Eight polls from the past several seasons to see how many losses the ranked teams had suffered at that point in the season. This is what I found:

season	undefeated	one loss	two losses	three losses	four losses	five losses	avg. # of losses
2009-10	0	8	10	6	1	0	2.00
2010-11	5	3	6	6	5	0	2.12
2011-12	1	11	5	6	2	0	1.88
2012-13	4	5	11	3	2	0	1.76
2013-14	3	7	5	7	3	0	2.00
2014-15	2	3	13	5	2	0	2.08
2015-16	4	5	5	6	3	2	2.20
2016-17	1	7	4	7	6	0	2.40

I think parity goes deeper than how many losses are in the Top 25.

Oh, I agree. But give me a break ... I only had about a half-hour, so I had to stop at the ranked teams.

[AndOne]

I find it very hard to believe that a team that regularly gets to play teams with 1, 5, 6, and 7 wins is the 10th best team in the country. When they play teams with 12 or 14 wins they lose. Anxious to see how they fare in the national tournament when they have to face a good team from day one.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Is it just me or has the Others Receiving Votes teams this year been quite bad week in and week out? Now this could be a common thing I am just picking up now, just curious.

You might need to cite any specific examples.

I don't know if he is referencing any specific results, but I feel the same 'vibe'.  After following the Top 25 for many years, it seems the ORV's are getting beaten up more than usual.  Parity?

The only thing I can really "Cite" here is the past couple weeks...

Last week 8 of 12 teams in the ORV lost a game that week. Week before it was 4 of 10 teams. 3 weeks ago it was 7 of 13. I just think that seems high to me and yes, a tribute to the parity this year. Which is backed up by Sager's research as this is the highest avg. number of losses, although that is ranked teams and we are talking ORV.

So quoting Ypsi... it is just the "vibe" I am getting as a casual fan of the top 25 ranks.

You'd probably need to compare from year to year at the same time.  It feels like this is the part of the season where ORV teams are losing to teams ranked higher in conference play.

[Smitty Oom]

Usually wouldn't throw this out there, but since it is the defending Natty Champs I will just mention that UST has looked very solid as of late and are making Tauer's patented late Jan. into playoff season charge. Their two best players returned from injuries at the halfway turn of the MIAC schedule and they have been dominant with their stellar D and consistent offense ever since. I noticed they got a couple of votes in this weeks poll for first time in a couple weeks, but I assume that they will see quite a few more votes after a big win against the other top MIAC team tonight in Bethel. Interested to see how long until/if they make the top 25 again (already swept St. John's and Bethel who are strong teams and sitting at 2nd in 3rd in the MIAC right now).

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Usually wouldn't throw this out there, but since it is the defending Natty Champs I will just mention that UST has looked very solid as of late and are making Tauer's patented late Jan. into playoff season charge. Their two best players returned from injuries at the halfway turn of the MIAC schedule and they have been dominant with their stellar D and consistent offense ever since. I noticed they got a couple of votes in this weeks poll for first time in a couple weeks, but I assume that they will see quite a few more votes after a big win against the other top MIAC team tonight in Bethel. Interested to see how long until/if they make the top 25 again (already swept St. John's and Bethel who are strong teams and sitting at 2nd in 3rd in the MIAC right now).

UST was sitting #26 on my ballot.  Unfortunately we only get to vote for 25.

[irapthor]

St. Thomas was also among the next 5 teams I was considering...

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I had them in my final five, ten as well. Just want to see if this turn around continues. Didn't have anything compelling to put them in as of yet, but I am closely monitoring them. It would be a pretty impressive turn-around.

[sac]

Mass-Dartmouth 92  #9 Tufts 81

2 losses in a row for Tufts, at Trinity and at Amherst this weekend.

[Bucket]

Mass-Dartmouth 92  #9 Tufts 81

2 losses in a row for Tufts, at Trinity and at Amherst this weekend.

The Jumbos have been in a tailspin since losing Tom Palleschi, their most valuable—if not their best—player. Gut check time for Tufts as they try to figure out a way to win without him.

[Greek Tragedy]

Mass-Dartmouth 92  #9 Tufts 81

2 losses in a row for Tufts, at Trinity and at Amherst this weekend.

The Jumbos have been in a tailspin since losing Tom Palleschi, their most valuable—if not their best—player. Gut check time for Tufts as they try to figure out a way to win without him.

What happened? Out for the year?

[Bucket]

Mass-Dartmouth 92  #9 Tufts 81

2 losses in a row for Tufts, at Trinity and at Amherst this weekend.

The Jumbos have been in a tailspin since losing Tom Palleschi, their most valuable—if not their best—player. Gut check time for Tufts as they try to figure out a way to win without him.

What happened? Out for the year?

Knee injury. Rumbling out of Medford is that there is some hope he can give it a go in 2-3 weeks, but that's just speculation at this point.