Dec 12th Rankings [merged thread]

[DefenseBB]

Here's my retort to those that say it's way too early. Of course it is BUT they are still conducting the poll so shouldn't the voters take it seriously? The idea is to see what teams are playing well at that point in time and just copying your ballot from last week is the lazy man's way of doing your role.

Integrity is my point!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Let's face it, most of the voters have seen and will see very few teams play. To me the Coaches Poll has some meaning, but the AP poll is a pretty unreliable indicator of relative worth. Arguing why this bunch only dropped Team A 3 and raised Team B 2 is a good hot stove chat and it is what we as fans do, but it's pretty empty entertainment, nothing more.

 

[Charliebball]

not to impolite but why should UConn fans care about the rankings at this point in the season when it has zero impact on the big dance......?

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

not to impolite but why should UConn fans care about the rankings at this point in the season when it has zero impact on the big dance.?

It really has zero impact on the big dance at all. Even though they now "look" at it, given all the flaws, do you really, really think that the AP poll factors into the committee's seeding.

Folks - UConn and other, like myself - are interested in the poll because they follow all of WBB, maybe not in much detail (I actually didn't click on the poll, got the answers I was curious to just reading the thread) but with some interest.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

not to impolite but why should UConn fans care about the rankings at this point in the season when it has zero impact on the big dance.?

Completely agree and that was the gist of my comments. Unfortunately those who vote in the AP poll are likely distracted this time of year with the end of College FB, Hockey starting up, NFL nearing the end, holiday preps/shopping(??) and travel plans,...thus WBB games aren't top priority. SO, even if someone plays pastry product after pastry product and maintains a 0 or even 1 loss record, they are going to catch attention for the lack of losses...more so than the lack of "challenge". It will be really interesting to see the differences between AP and Coaches polls this week. Regardless, I believe it will all work out as the season progresses and by March we'll know who the true top 25 teams are.

GO HUSKIES!!!

 

[EricSD]

not to impolite but why should UConn fans care about the rankings at this point in the season when it has zero impact on the big dance.?

Some things we care about because they are related to UConn. Other things because they are related to WCBB. Other things because they are related to the WNBA or professional players overseas etc.

But bottom line, anything related to current events for WCBB is something that people will discuss. I agree that getting all fired up over the current rankings is silly, but I don't see anyone getting all fired up - just stating why they agree or disagree with the rankings...

 

[Charliebball]

Some things we care about because they are related to UConn. Other things because they are related to WCBB. Other things because they are related to the WNBA or professional players overseas etc.

But bottom line, anything related to current events for WCBB is something that people will discuss. I agree that getting all fired up over the current rankings is silly, but I don't see anyone getting all fired up - just stating why they agree or disagree with the rankings...

when the only perennial debate you have is whether your team is number one or number two I guess you do get a bit jaded.................. just another example of a spoiled UConn fan...............

 

[j66kicker]

I might chop it off after the top 6.

Top 5 are the only contenders IMO (I haven't seen Louisville play, so I'm giving them a very generous benefit of the doubt). I don't think there are really ANY 'great' teams in WCBB this year, with a significant drop-off below the current AP #5. Maryland isn't a realistic contender. No B1G, no PAC-12. JMO

 

[LoTrader]

Top 5 are the only contenders IMO (I haven't seen Louisville play, so I'm giving them a very generous benefit of the doubt). I don't think there are really ANY 'great' teams in WCBB this year, with a significant drop-off below the current AP #5. Maryland isn't a realistic contender. No B1G, no PAC-12. JMO

Disagree. Was Baylor a contender the last few years, when they were ranked in the top 5? Was UW & OSU ranked in the top 5 when they made the Final 4?

 

[j66kicker]

Disagree. Was Baylor a contender the last few years, when they were ranked in the top 5? Was UW & OSU ranked in the top 5 when they made the Final 4?

I don't think some potential final 4 teams are truly 'contenders'

 

[Bayareahusky]

I do not think anyone is qualified to contend for title outside of the top 5..... I am still sleeping from watching Tenn Texas yesterday..... Shouldn't it be a basic qualification for head coaching position to be able to offer at least a basic offensive scheme...... That game was a throwback to 30 years ago..... dribble the ball up and get it to your best player, or your hottest..... let them throw it up

 

[Charliebball]

I do not think anyone is qualified to contend for title outside of the top 5..... I am still sleeping from watching Tenn Texas yesterday..... Shouldn't it be a basic qualification for head coaching position to be able to offer at least a basic offensive scheme. That game was a throwback to 30 years ago..... dribble the ball up and get it to your best player, or your hottest..... let them throw it up

the biggest shame is that there is so much talent on those two teams it seems such a waste..........

 

[IrishTiger]

I believe Baylor is the most dangerous team we will face. It seems to me that their strengths fit our weaknesses. If Pheesa and Lou have to bang with the Baylor bigs, the fouls will impact us more than them.

Maybe I’m a bit biased. But I still think ND is UCONNs toughest match up. I think ND has better guard play then Baylor and especially in the tournament guard play matters a lot. Hey I could be wrong. But I think ND come Tourny time will be a tougher out for Y’all then Baylor.

 

[IrishTiger]

The whole why do people talk about rankings. Very simple it is something to talk about. In every sport people talk about rankings does it really matter no. But it gives people something to gauge off of and talk about. Plus it helps for TV. Having #3 vs #4 helps when a game is aired on TV. Maybe some people who wouldn’t care would tune in.

 

[LoTrader]

I don't think some potential final 4 teams are truly 'contenders'

If you make the final 4, how are you not a "contender", especially if you did it from a disadvantaged unfavorable seeding in the tournament, meaning you had a more difficult path to the Final 4?

I used Baylor as my example re: top 5 teams that maybe shouldn't be considered a "contender", (and there are others) when Baylor was definitely in the top 5 two separate years only to make it to Elite 8, & Sweet 16. I should add, with the benefit of an extremely advantaged seeding to boot!

 

[Boreifs]

I’m guessing the coaches will not still have SC in the Top 25 with four losses.

 

[j66kicker]

If you make the final 4, how are you not a "contender", especially if you did it from a disadvantaged unfavorable seeding in the tournament, meaning you had a more difficult path to the Final 4?

I used Baylor as my example re: top 5 teams that maybe shouldn't be considered a "contender", (and there are others) when Baylor was definitely in the top 5 two separate years only to make it to Elite 8, & Sweet 16. I should add, with the benefit of an extremely advantaged seeding to boot!

Once a disadvantaged seed upsets a higher-seeded team, they assume the seed advantage of that higher-seeded team. Basically the seeding disadvantage is for one game only - the first game where you play a higher-seeded team. If you lose that game, it was expected. If you win, you now have the seeding advantage of the team you beat.

Since I don't believe there are really any 'great' teams this year - and not more than a couple 'really good' teams - I would expect lots of upsets in the rounds of 16 and 8. Then I would expect the couple of really good teams to take care of business.

But what do I know? Nuthin' better to worry about tonight

 

[Grad1990]

Maybe I’m a bit biased. But I still think ND is UCONNs toughest match up. I think ND has better guard play then Baylor and especially in the tournament guard play matters a lot. Hey I could be wrong. But I think ND come Tourny time will be a tougher out for Y’all then Baylor.

"Maybe I'm a bit biased"

May be.

 

[LoTrader]

Once a disadvantaged seed upsets a higher-seeded team, they assume the seed advantage of that higher-seeded team. Basically the seeding disadvantage is for one game only - the first game where you play a higher-seeded team. If you lose that game, it was expected. If you win, you now have the seeding advantage of the team you beat.

Since I don't believe there are really any 'great' teams this year - and not more than a couple 'really good' teams - I would expect lots of upsets in the rounds of 16 and 8. Then I would expect the couple of really good teams to take care of business.

But what do I know? Nuthin' better to worry about tonight

"If you win, you now have the seeding advantage of the team you beat." HUH?

So when OSU, #6 seed, beat Tennessee #3 seed, OSU became the #3 seed? OSU didn't get to play 1st 2 games on their home court like Tennessee and Baylor last year. The seeding matters, and, you have a much easier path to the final 4 (contenders, not pretenders) if you play your first 2 games on your home court. Anyone reaching the final 4 is a contender, and, deserved to be there, ESPECIALLY those that were at a seeding disadvantage.

 

[j66kicker]

"If you win, you now have the seeding advantage of the team you beat." HUH?

So when OSU, #6 seed, beat Tennessee #3 seed, OSU became the #3 seed? OSU didn't get to play 1st 2 games on their home court like Tennessee and Baylor last year. The seeding matters, and, you have a much easier path to the final 4 (contenders, not pretenders) if you play your first 2 games on your home court. Anyone reaching the final 4 is a contender, and, deserved to be there, ESPECIALLY those that were at a seeding disadvantage.

Yes, exactly, if the team you beat was a higher seed. In your example OSU took over the #3 seeding path from TN and abandoned their #6 seeding path (which would have been a loss to TN).

I agree anyone who reaches the FF deserves to be there, however unlikely they might be to win it.

 

[willtalk]

Just comparing the Arizona St. to the Texas rankings-- Texas is ranked 5 seeds higher having lost to the number 6 seed by 18 pts and the number 9 seed by 6pts. Where as Arizona St.lost to number 4 by 6 pts and the number 5 team by 2pts. While they both have the same record Arizona St. losses are actually to higher rated teams by far less than the Texas losses were. Going into league play this will play to the advantage of Texas as they a playing in a very weak conference with their only losses expected to be to Baylor.

I don't understand the love they are giving Texas. Are they going to be the new Tenn?

 

[DallasBUFan]

Just comparing the Arizona St. to the Texas rankings-- Texas is ranked 5 seeds higher having lost to the number 6 seed by 18 pts and the number 9 seed by 6pts. Where as Arizona St.lost to number 4 by 6 pts and the number 5 team by 2pts. While they both have the same record Arizona St. losses are actually to higher rated teams by far less than the Texas losses were. Going into league play this will play to the advantage of Texas as they a playing in a very weak conference with their only losses expected to be to Baylor.

I don't understand the love they are giving Texas. Are they going to be the new Tenn?

I think Iowa State can beat Texas. They are probably the 3rd best team with West Virginia behind them.

 

[Bayareahusky]

"If you win, you now have the seeding advantage of the team you beat." HUH?

So when OSU, #6 seed, beat Tennessee #3 seed, OSU became the #3 seed? OSU didn't get to play 1st 2 games on their home court like Tennessee and Baylor last year. The seeding matters, and, you have a much easier path to the final 4 (contenders, not pretenders) if you play your first 2 games on your home court. Anyone reaching the final 4 is a contender, and, deserved to be there, ESPECIALLY those that were at a seeding disadvantage.

I think when OSU as a 6 beats Tenn as a 3.... then yes OSU should be a 3 de facto.... not an automatic in all instances.... but OSU has obvious advantage at the HC position.... i would have Scott Rueck coach my team anytime.... he is good tactician and very resourceful..... AND he can run an offense!!!!

 

[bennyskid]

Texas may or may not be the new Tennessee, but ASU has never received the credit the program deserves. Until it makes a Final Four or has a consensus All-American star, it is forever doomed to rankings in the teens or lower. It's a fine program, too - I don't think too many people would argue against the proposition that Thorne is one of the three best coaches in the Pac. (You'll get just a little pushback if you put her in the top *two* )

 

[Boreifs]

Massey currently has South Carolina 37th, four places behind South Florida.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

Here's the link for this weeks rankings:
2018-19 Women's College Basketball Rankings for Week 6 | ESPN

There a few things that perplex me and no, Oregon dropping only to #7, staying ahead of #8 OSU, their in-state rival is not one of them (though I am curious what our NW brethren have to say!). OSU (not to be confused with tOSU) still hasn't played anyone other than ND so they have to live with this for a bit.
#1. Why is Texas still at #12? This is a flawed team that maybe is a top 25 but NOT #12!
#2. California at #13? They have played NO ONE. I can't wait for the UConn game for a 25 point beat down at home to exposed this team.
#3. Arizona State at #17? They lost to Baylor and to Louisville, they are far better than Cal, better than Minn, Syracuse, Texas and dare I say it-Tennessee. This is 11-15 team at worst.
#4 quibble-Gonzaga at #21? They only lost to ND and unlike OSU, have played some descent teams at 9-1. Stanford, Rutgers and Wash. State are all descent P5 schools that should warrant some respect from the voters.

Thoughts from anyone?

I had thought the Coaches poll might be a bit better at resolving some of the issues you noted above... but alas, that poll is nearly identical in the top half and just a bit jumbled below that. One notable...SoCarolina drops out of Top 25.