AP Top 25 (#20)

[DarthGrumpy]

Don't worry: their lack of shooting and defensive ability will get in the way of a potential title run.

Which the NCAA will help out with as one of the regional rounds in 2016 is scheduled for Raleigh.

 

[tcf15]

SMU's postseason ban prohibits them from being included in the Coaches Poll.

Pretty sure UConn was ranked at times the year they were banned, no?

Yep, ranked #23 in AP after beating MSU and received votes in coaches poll: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2013/week/2/seasontype/2

 

[BUConn10]

Preseason polls are "dumb", yes. But at the end of the day they DO matter. If you start the season at a higher rank, then it's easier to move up the ranks as there are less teams between you and #1. These rankings aren't actually calculated based on a teams talent. You are ranked based on who you beat, if someone ahead of you loses everyone moves up one spot, it's a ladder system.

And at the end of the season, these "pointless" rankings help determine seeding, so yes it matters.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

That Michigan game is huge. Michigan is ranked, Beilien is an excellent coach who will have his team ready, as opposed to teams that have a lot of talent but which are a bit of a shambles early on.

And yet that game won't even be televised on a real channel! But don't worry. We get to see Syracuse and Charlotte on ESPN.

 

[Tenspro2002]

That Michigan game is huge. Michigan is ranked, Beilien is an excellent coach who will have his team ready, as opposed to teams that have a lot of talent but which are a bit of a shambles early on.

I said it earlier and I'll probably say it again.

That Michigan game -- between the result itself and the pathway it sets us on in the B4A bracket -- is worth up to 2-3 seed lines in March. The importance of that game, even this early in the season, cannot be overstated.

 

[CTBasketball]

I said it earlier and I'll probably say it again.

That Michigan game -- between the result itself and the pathway it sets us on in the B4A bracket -- is worth up to 2-3 seed lines in March. The importance of that game, even this early in the season, cannot be overstated.

Agree Tens. Its one of our chances to get a marquee win against a B10 team that should contend for the regular season title. A win there is likely a top 20 RPI win.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Agree Tens. Its one of our chances to get a marquee win against a B10 team that should contend for the regular season title. A win there is likely a top 20 RPI win.

The difference between (likely) playing Syracuse instead of Charlotte, and then another winner's-bracket team instead of a loser's-bracket team is also big.

 

[champs99and04]

@Tenspro2002 can't disagree. It reminds me a lot of the Wichita State game to open the 2010 Maui Invitational. It was the difference between playing Michigan State and Kentucky and playing Chaminade.

There is a lot of depth in this tournament, so there's a good chance we get two games vs. top comp regardless of how things play out. You've got Gonzaga, Michigan, Syracuse, Texas, and Texas A&M. You have to figure there is a good chance all five dance, and obviously, not all five can advance to the semi-finals.

 

[OkaForPrez]

NCAA March Madness ‏@marchmadness 18h18 hours ago
Since 1984-85, 85.6% of teams ranked in the AP preseason poll reached the NCAA tournament: http://on.ncaa.com/1OjFKoi

 

[Silk31]

NCAA March Madness ‏@marchmadness 18h18 hours ago
Since 1984-85, 85.6% of teams ranked in the AP preseason poll reached the NCAA tournament: http://on.ncaa.com/1OjFKoi

The only teams to be unranked in the pre-season AP poll and went on to the win it all...

1985 Villanova, 2003 Syracuse, 2006 Florida and 2011 Connecticut

Those unexpected titles are always the best