Top 25 talk

[Titan Q]

Anyways, knocking Swarthmore for not having a top 25 Massey win before they had a chance to play the Sweet Sixteen and beyond is a not too fair in my opinion.

I'm not sure I'm knocking Swarthmore.  I'm simply emphasizing what Greek Tragedy pointed out - that there is an asterisk to his statement:

Of the 21 years of the poll, Swarthmore, this past season, is the only team to run the table for being #1 the whole season, preseason poll to the final poll.

Swarthmore finished #1 in a season that was not completed. To me the fact that "of the 21 years of the poll, Swarthmore, this past season, is the only team to run the table for being #1 the whole season, preseason poll to the final poll" is relatively meaningless.

Unfortunately Swarthmore didn't get a chance to prove where they belong in a true final poll - no one did - because we were cheated out of the final 4 rounds of the tournament.  And without those final 4 rounds, there isn't a ton on Swarthmore's resume to cement that #1 spot in any type of historical context.

The poll is dramatically shaped by the tournament - as Greek said, the national champ has been the final #1 ever year - and unfortunately we didn't get to see the tournament play out.  It's fun to have a final D3hoops.com Top 25 this year, but it's really just a novelty. It's not fair to compare other seasons (completed) to this whacky season.

[Mr. Ypsi]

It would put Q's statement in better perspective if someone were to check the success of regular season #1's in the final poll.  The archive says only two teams ranked #1 have gone on to win the title, but I'm not sure if that is the answer to my question or not, and I'm far too lazy to check it out year-by-year!

At any rate, I'm sure it would be safe to say that Swarthmore winning the 'big doorstop' (nod to Gregory Sager) would not be a given.  D3 tourney championships are FAR less a given than UCLA men or UConn women during their reigns - with a possible exception for the reign of Thomas More on the women's side.

[Greek Tragedy]

It would put Q's statement in better perspective if someone were to check the success of regular season #1's in the final poll.  The archive says only two teams ranked #1 have gone on to win the title, but I'm not sure if that is the answer to my question or not, and I'm far too lazy to check it out year-by-year!

At any rate, I'm sure it would be safe to say that Swarthmore winning the 'big doorstop' (nod to Gregory Sager) would not be a given.  D3 tourney championships are FAR less a given than UCLA men or UConn women during their reigns - with a possible exception for the reign of Thomas More on the women's side.

So what are you asking?

[Mr. Ypsi]

It would put Q's statement in better perspective if someone were to check the success of regular season #1's in the final poll.  The archive says only two teams ranked #1 have gone on to win the title, but I'm not sure if that is the answer to my question or not, and I'm far too lazy to check it out year-by-year!

At any rate, I'm sure it would be safe to say that Swarthmore winning the 'big doorstop' (nod to Gregory Sager) would not be a given.  D3 tourney championships are FAR less a given than UCLA men or UConn women during their reigns - with a possible exception for the reign of Thomas More on the women's side.

So what are you asking?

How many of the teams ranked #1 in the final regular season poll have gone on to win the title?  I suspect it is relatively few.  If so, crowning Swarthmore as a start-to-finish #1 is rather dubious.

[Greek Tragedy]

Since every team that won the title finished #1 in the Final poll, it would be easy to figure out in my posts.

[Greek Tragedy]

It's twice. 99-00 with Calvin and 04-05 with UWSP. That was the only two times Calvin was ranked #1 that year. Last regular season poll and Final poll.

[Mr. Ypsi]

In other words, to say Swarthmore went #1  non-stop for the WHOLE season is rather dubious, if we consider the tourney to be a part of the 'whole' season.  Maybe, but odds are, no.

[WUPHF]

Washington University was ranked No. 2 in 2008-2009 going in to the national tournament and they received one No. 1 vote in that second to last poll.  So close...

[Greek Tragedy]

In other words, to say Swarthmore went #1  non-stop for the WHOLE season is rather dubious, if we consider the tourney to be a part of the 'whole' season.  Maybe, but odds are, no.

As I pointed out, there will always be an asterisk next to their name.

Why don't we just say regular season polls and add Whitman to the list?

[Titan Q]

In other words, to say Swarthmore went #1  non-stop for the WHOLE season is rather dubious, if we consider the tourney to be a part of the 'whole' season.  Maybe, but odds are, no.

As I pointed out, there will always be an asterisk next to their name.

Why don't we just say regular season polls and add Whitman to the list?

Perfect.

[SpringSt7]

IF Hixon returns to the sideline ... you never know what a sabbatical year might reveal. Don't get me wrong, I want to see him back ... but I am understanding that things like this could happen.

Touche.

[Greek Tragedy]

In other words, to say Swarthmore went #1  non-stop for the WHOLE season is rather dubious, if we consider the tourney to be a part of the 'whole' season.  Maybe, but odds are, no.

As I pointed out, there will always be an asterisk next to their name.

Why don't we just say regular season polls and add Whitman to the list?

Perfect.

Not sure what the big deal is anyway. I'm pretty sure Swarthmore doesn't have a banner hanging in the gym claiming to be the only team to start the season #1 and go the whole season #1 and finish there.

[gordonmann]

I can drive down the street and check for you if you like.

[Greek Tragedy]

I can drive down the street and check for you if you like.

Sounds good. Take a picture!

[iwumichigander]

I can drive down the street and check for you if you like.

Sounds good. Take a picture!

But wait - with schools closed Gordon May have check next season to determine if a banner went up