Mid-Major Poll

[Vowelguy]

I like this. A nice spotlight on some less-prominent teams. All the conferences convered except the BCS 6, A-10, Conf USA, Mtn West, and WAC. (Though the latter 2 should be added.)

Is Mel Thomas still at FGCU?

1. Green Bay (27) ...... 10-0 771 1 Horizon
2. Delaware (2) ........ 9-0 740 2 Colonial Athletic
3. Gonzaga (2) ........ 10-2 718 3 West Coast
4. Florida Gulf Coast ... 8-1 679 4 Atlantic Sun
5. BYU .................. 11-2 593 8 West Coast

http://www.collegeinsider.com/midmajor/

 

[EricLA]

nice to see Towson in there. they have played well after their blowout losses to UCONN and Maryland... and of course good to see Jen's Hartford team getting some love.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I like this. A nice spotlight on some less-prominent teams. All the conferences convered except the BCS 6, A-10, Conf USA, Mtn West, and WAC. (Though the latter 2 should be added.)

Is Mel Thomas still at FGCU?

1. Green Bay (27) 10-0 771 1 Horizon
2. Delaware (2) 9-0 740 2 Colonial Athletic
3. Gonzaga (2) 10-2 718 3 West Coast
4. Florida Gulf Coast 8-1 679 4 Atlantic Sun
5. BYU 11-2 593 8 West Coast

http://www.collegeinsider.com/midmajor/

Green Bay plays good basketball, as does Gonzaga. If Mel has anything to do with it, Florida Gulf Coast does as well.

I guess Marist has dropped off.

 

[HuskyNan]

I guess Marist has dropped off.

Marist is 5-5. One of the losses is to up-and-comer St. Bonaventure of the A10.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Marist is 5-5. One of the losses is to up-and-comer St. Bonaventure of the A10.

There's been some "if you want to get Marist, this is the year" talk.... sound familiar?

The Bonnies are ranked higher in Graham's mid-major rankings.

 

[MilfordHusky]

There's been some "if you want to get Marist, this is the year" talk.... sound familiar?

The Bonnies are ranked higher in Graham's mid-major rankings.

Thanks to you and Nan. Did the Marist coach leave?

 

[Olde Coach]

Green Bay plays good basketball, as does Gonzaga. If Mel has anything to do with it, Florida Gulf Coast does as well.

I guess Marist has dropped off.

Mel is "Director of Basketball Operations" at FGCU. In this role, she is not allowed to "coach" (Like Jack Eisenman when he was at UConn). This said, Mel has lots of interfaces with players and coaches which are, I am certain, very positive in a variety of ways.

Mel "loves her job". Whenever I talk with her, she sounds very much like a "happy camper."

 

[HuskyNan]

Thanks to you and Nan. Did the Marist coach leave?

No, Brian Giorgis is still there. The Red Foxes lost three of last year's starters to graduation, including the MAAC Player of the Year guard Erica Allenspach, and its post players are inexperienced. Marist is rebuilding.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Florida Gulf Coast also got a top 100 recruit this season in 6'1 guard Whitney Knight out of North Carolina. Had originally committed to Duke and then changed. That helps!

 

[Jonathan Husky]

Green Bay plays good basketball, as does Gonzaga. If Mel has anything to do with it, Florida Gulf Coast does as well.

I guess Marist has dropped off.

The FGCU coach, Carl Smesko, is a mid major Geno. He has had outstanding teams for at least the last eight years. This is the first year they qualify to play in the NCAA.s His teams play team ball. They play with intensity and beat many of the tier 1 teams. If Mel is still at FGCU she is learning from a Geno type coach

 

[Icebear]

The FGCU coach, Carl Smesko, is a mid major Geno. He has had outstanding teams for at least the last eight years. This is the first year they qualify to play in the NCAA.s His teams play team ball. They play with intensity and beat many of the tier 1 teams. If Mel is still at FGCU she is learning from a Geno type coach

As OC said, yes, Mel is still there.

 

[speedoo]

No, Brian Giorgis is still there. The Red Foxes lost three of last year's starters to graduation, including the MAAC Player of the Year guard Erica Allenspach, and its post players are inexperienced. Marist is rebuilding.

I think they also lost their best player from last year via transfer. A post, and very good, but I can't remember her name.

 

[HuskyNan]

I think they also lost their best player from last year via transfer. A post, and very good, but I can't remember her name.

Kid from Maine or New Hampshire - she was the top rated girl from New England in her senior year of high school. Her name is on the tip of my tongue....

 

[Vowelguy]

Kid from Maine or New Hampshire - she was the top rated girl from New England in her senior year of high school. Her name is on the tip of my tongue....

6'4" Kate Oliver from Australia, transferred to USC

http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/oliver_kate00.html

don't see a NENG connection

 

[HuskyNan]

I was thinking of Kelsey Beynnon - from Vermont, LOL.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I have to say it with a laugh - a team with a first rate coach has an off year and someone wonders if the coach left. Um - that's the real world, there are only a very few teams that reload, not rebuild!!

As to the conferences in the mid-major poll - what has the C-USA done lately? Or the WAC as noted? At least until the latest shifting around, Mountain West was actually OK.

 

[Vowelguy]

As to the conferences in the mid-major poll - what has the C-USA done lately? Or the WAC as noted? At least until the latest shifting around, Mountain West was actually OK.

Since it's a Coaches poll, it's probably only those coaches/conferences that choose to participate.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Since it's a Coaches poll, it's probably only those coaches/conferences that choose to participate.

Presumably.

But it is really interesting to recognize the changes over the years in looking at conferences. The WAC and / or its coaches can consider itself somehow better than its peers, but I can't see any evidence of it. Generally one bid conference.

C-USA declined with the loss of DePaul, Louisville, Marqette, etc; and Mountain West now feeling departure of BYU, Utah.

I have always noted that the A-10 is treated differently by the committee, and regardless of an actual RPI or SOS ranking, is probably #6 among conferences.