Oregon @ Southern California - 1/05/18

[UConnNick]

Do you mean how is it possible that they've lost 51 straight, or how is it possible that there are some 25 teams ranked below them?

Chicago State hasn't won a game since February 4, 2016.

Obviously, the RPI doesn't reflect previous years' results. Their 0-15 record doesn't put them last in the RPI because they have a better strength of schedule (which is 75% of RPI) than the teams ranked behind them.

Yes, I realize the prior year doesn't count, but no matter how bad any teams' schedules are, you would think if they have at least one or more wins they'd be ranked higher than a winless team in the RPI. There's a four win team on the list, Utah Valley State, that's 10 points behind winless Chicago State in the RPI. They must be playing nothing but glorified high school teams.

 

[Plebe]

Yes, I realize the prior year doesn't count, but no matter how bad any teams' schedules are, you would think if they have at least one or more wins they'd be ranked higher than a winless team in the RPI. There's a four win team on the list, Utah Valley State, that's 10 points behind winless Chicago State in the RPI. They must be playing nothing but glorified high school teams.

That's just the nature of the RPI. Strength of schedule is heavily weighted. Just the same as how Tennessee, despite being one of only four undefeated teams, is currently #10 in the RPI and several teams with one or two losses are ahead of them.

 

[Phil]

I taped the USC Oregon game as it was on too late for me and watched it this morning. What a delightful game to watch!

As noted, the first quarter with kind of strange with Oregon scoring only seven points. I think they shot 14% for the quarter. In the third quarter about halfway through the announcer mentioned they were hitting over 80% and then they had another one, yet they weren't blowing USC off the court.

Last year, USC had a 16 point lead at halftime but ran out of steam and couldn't finish. It seemed like that might be what would happen in this game is USC has a strong starting five but not a lot of bench while Oregon has a lot of firepower but USC didn't quit, the five-point lead back to two or three and then tied up with about a minute and a half to go.

I wasn't impressed by USC's time management in the last minute — why are you standing around eating clock when you are behind — but other than that one nit, this was one of the most exciting games I've watched this year.

It's a shame that USC is o for three in conference, but keep an eye on them that might surprise somebody.

Is great to see Sadie Edwards play — it wasn't her best game but glad to see she's doing well.

I like USC's energy. Mazyck was especially impressive, but as someone else noted Simon also had a great game.