Top 25 talk

[Gregory Sager]

Several ranked teams currently above Wooster have either lost at home (Brandeis & Augustana twice, Capital, Rochester, Stevens Point), lost to teams with records now below .500 (Mary Hardin-Baylor twice, Capital, Augustana, Rochester) or now have a total of 4 or 5 losses on the season.  

Acknowledging my obvious bias, it is still hard to understand why Wooster is ranked below them??

Here is a fair question -- what do you think Wooster's record would be with, say, Augustana's schedule?

http://www.d3hoops.com/school/AUGU/m/2008


Massey has Wooster's strength of schedule as #100...Augustana is #5.

http://www.mratings.com/rate.php?lg=cb&sub=III&mid=1

Good point that Augustana has a tougher schedule than Wooster.  I still question Augustana's top 10 ranking though when they have lost at home to UW La Crosse (now 11-13) and on the road at North Park (now 12-11).

Why single out NPU for your secondhand opprobrium? Augie also lost at Carthage, which is also now 12-11 ... and NPU beat Carthage at Carthage.

The point is that the CCIW is a very tough, very top-to-bottom competitive conference. I think that the pollsters realize that, which is why they're much more apt to cut some slack to a ranked CCIW team that loses on the road to a team of lesser record (albeit a winning lesser record) within the circuit than they would for a ranked team from a less-respected league. Same goes for ranked teams from the WIAC, the NESCAC, and the UAA.

The gap between the also-rans in the CCIW and the also-rans in the NCAC is so wide that if you're going to cast aspersions about Augie's CCIW losses in an effort to bolster Wooster's case, then your arguments will amount to what my MIAC friend Columbian Maffia refers to as "weak sauce".

[pbrooks3]

I am in the Wooster camp in that I moved them up in my Posters Poll ballot this week. That was a big win Saturday against Wittenberg at Timken. That rivalry has produced some good games over the years with the road team sometimes winning. Having watched Wooster play twice in the tournament last year, I'd reviewed their 2006-07 statistics pretty thoroughly. What struck me about them was the average margin of victory, high shooting percentage in all facets - FG, 3FG, FT - and balanced scoring. 2007-08 doesn't look much different statistically. Shooting better than 50% from the field and 45% on 3's is mightly impressive given the strength of their conference and overall schedule. Wooster may have the horses to again make a final four. One thing I know is my team of choice - Centre - would prefer to not have to go through Wooster to advance in the tourney. Wooster's home court is a big advantage for them. If Wooster wins out, look for them to crack the top 10.

[smedindy]

Is there anyone on this board who is deep down not a homer about some team or league? Even the poobahs of the site have their schools which they root for, deep down.

So let's just chillllllll...and all agree that the NCAC rules! (Hah...not!)

[ILive4This]

I understand that UMD is still 21-2 but how would they have faired in Amherst's schedule? or Rochester's schedule (who I am sure will drop a bit this week)? Or the other way around, would rochester be 23-0 with UMD's schedule? I really wish there were an RPI system to look at.

[Titan Q]

I understand that UMD is still 21-2 but how would they have faired in Amherst's schedule? or Rochester's schedule (who I am sure will drop a bit this week)? Or the other way around, would rochester be 23-0 with UMD's schedule? I really wish there were an RPI system to look at.

As a purely objective poll, Massey is pretty good.

http://www.mratings.com/rate.php?lg=cb&sub=III&mid=1

UMD is #33 (through Wed 2/13)


Strength of schedule leaders:

1. Chicago - UAA
2. Babson - NEWMAC
3. Emory - UAA
4. Washington MO - UAA
5. Augustana IL - CCIW
6. WI Oshkosh - WIAC
7. Rochester NY - UAA
8. WI Stout - WIAC
9. Brandeis - UAA
10. WI Platteville - WIAC
11. IL Wesleyan - CCIW
12. N Central IL - CCIW
13. Carnegie Mellon - UAA
14. WI Stevens Pt - WIAC
15. Roanoke - ODAC
16. WI LaCrosse - WIAC
17. Wheaton IL - CCIW
18. Willamette - NWC
19. Guilford - ODAC
20. Wartburg - IIAC
21. Amherst - NESCAC
22. Carthage  - CCIW
23. Springfield - NEWMAC
24. Trinity CT - NESCAC
25. Monmouth IL - MWC

[smedindy]

I was surprised at Babson being so high, but man, they loaded their schedule up with UAA and NESCAC teams.

[LogShow]

I think #18 Willamette played a lot of D2's and NAIA 1's

[Ralph Turner]

I think #18 Willamette played a lot of D2's and NAIA 1's

That and $5.00 buys you a "vente". 

[pbrooks3]

As a Centre supporter, I thank whomever gave us the single #1 vote in the poll this week!

[sac]

As a Centre supporter, I thank whomever gave us the single #1 vote in the poll this week!

Now maybe they'll be the .............centre of attention.

[Hugenerd]

As a Centre supporter, I thank whomever gave us the single #1 vote in the poll this week!

I am guessing the same person that voted for UMD last week.

[Hugenerd]

I understand that UMD is still 21-2 but how would they have faired in Amherst's schedule? or Rochester's schedule (who I am sure will drop a bit this week)? Or the other way around, would rochester be 23-0 with UMD's schedule? I really wish there were an RPI system to look at.

As a purely objective poll, Massey is pretty good.

http://www.mratings.com/rate.php?lg=cb&sub=III&mid=1

UMD is #33 (through Wed 2/13)


Strength of schedule leaders:

1. Chicago - UAA
2. Babson - NEWMAC
3. Emory - UAA
4. Washington MO - UAA
5. Augustana IL - CCIW
6. WI Oshkosh - WIAC
7. Rochester NY - UAA
8. WI Stout - WIAC
9. Brandeis - UAA
10. WI Platteville - WIAC
11. IL Wesleyan - CCIW
12. N Central IL - CCIW
13. Carnegie Mellon - UAA
14. WI Stevens Pt - WIAC
15. Roanoke - ODAC
16. WI LaCrosse - WIAC
17. Wheaton IL - CCIW
18. Willamette - NWC
19. Guilford - ODAC
20. Wartburg - IIAC
21. Amherst - NESCAC
22. Carthage  - CCIW
23. Springfield - NEWMAC
24. Trinity CT - NESCAC
25. Monmouth IL - MWC

For the Massey Ratings that came out today (without MOV), the UAA has the top 5 teams in terms of strength of schedule and 6 of the top 7.

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cb&sub=III&mid=6

[OLD STUDENT/ATHLETE]

Why wasn't Centre Number 1?

Amherst lost to Brandeis by 10
Brandeis lost to Chicago by 2
Chicago lost to Trinity(Texas) by 5
Trinity(Texas) lost to Centre by 9

[pbrooks3]

Why wasn't Centre Number 1?

Amherst lost to Brandeis by 10
Brandeis lost to Chicago by 2
Chicago lost to Trinity(Texas) by 5
Trinity(Texas) lost to Centre by 9

syllogism 301! 

[Hugenerd]

Why wasn't Centre Number 1?

Amherst lost to Brandeis by 10
Brandeis lost to Chicago by 2
Chicago lost to Trinity(Texas) by 5
Trinity(Texas) lost to Centre by 9

Why isnt East Texas Baptist #1?

Amherst lost to Brandeis by 10
Brandeis lost to Rochester by 4
Rochester lost to Emory by 5
Emory lost to Texas-Tyler by 8
Texas-Tyler lost to East Texas Baptist by 5

It seems pretty obvious