Ranked 22 in the AP

[Uconn93]

Must they beat power 5 teams in order to qualify as #2? They look good enough for me[/quote]

As much as I normally would agree with this statement normally, when a team is that high under circumstances, but that is the last #1 seed I would want to see, I would rather play the cuse.... Wichita State is experienced, coming off a final four, and I have watched them play and they look really good.

To answer your question: Yes.

I was insinuating in my post that Wichita State is over-rated. Now, I'm spelling it out. In looking at who they have beaten they look to me like they are over-rated with a #2 ranking. I think that political correctness has begun to seep into the rankings and that, where pollsters used to take into account the opponents of mid-majors with solid records, that this no longer takes place. Instead, an assumption is made that if you have a good record, you must deserve a top 5 or top 10 ranking. I disagree. While I'm sure that Wichita State is a good team, unless they beat some of the top teams from the power conferences between now and the tourney (and we all know that's not on the schedule), I don't see them making it any further then the sweet 16 at best. Not that you need my permission, but feel free to disagree.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Must they beat power 5 teams in order to qualify as #2? They look good enough for me

To answer your question: Yes.

I was insinuating in my post that Wichita State is over-rated. Now, I'm spelling it out. In looking at who they have beaten they look to me like they are over-rated with a #2 ranking. I think that political correctness has begun to seep into the rankings and that, where pollsters used to take into account the opponents of mid-majors with solid records, that this no longer takes place. Instead, an assumption is made that if you have a good record, you must deserve a top 5 or top 10 ranking. I disagree. While I'm sure that Wichita State is a good team, unless they beat some of the top teams from the power conferences between now and the tourney (and we all know that's not on the schedule), I don't see them making it any further then the sweet 16 at best. Not that you need my permission, but feel free to disagree.

Sweet 16 at best? That grossly underrates them. They are better than the Butler, SDSU and VCU teams from the 2011 tournament. They are better than the WSU team that went to the final four last year. They are probably the least likely team to lose early, because they are experienced and consistent.

Much like FSU this year in football, they aren't just winning, they are winning easy. They beat Alabama and Tennessee from P5. Beat #13 Saint Louis. Beat a decent BYU team.

 

[tzznandrew]

Must they beat power 5 teams in order to qualify as #2? They look good enough for me


To answer your question: Yes.

I was insinuating in my post that Wichita State is over-rated. Now, I'm spelling it out. In looking at who they have beaten they look to me like they are over-rated with a #2 ranking. I think that political correctness has begun to seep into the rankings and that, where pollsters used to take into account the opponents of mid-majors with solid records, that this no longer takes place. Instead, an assumption is made that if you have a good record, you must deserve a top 5 or top 10 ranking. I disagree. While I'm sure that Wichita State is a good team, unless they beat some of the top teams from the power conferences between now and the tourney (and we all know that's not on the schedule), I don't see them making it any further then the sweet 16 at best. Not that you need my permission, but feel free to disagree.

It has nothing to do with "political correctness." They came off of a Final Four, and haven't lost. What do you do with an undefeated team like that?

The last time we had a team like this was 2004, with Jameer Nelson, Delonte West and St. Joe's. Everyone criticized them...and then they lost a heartbreaking Elite 8 game against Oklahoma State. And this Witchita State team has already been to a Final Four.

They're going to be a tough out, wherever they end up seeded.

 

[DogMania]

I've been starting to watch more games, and frankly I'm not overly impressed with most of the field. I saw Zona early on and they looked scary good, but now with Ashley out for the season they're not as dominant. Still a very talented team.

As much as many don't like SU, they look very tough. Their zone is tough to figure out, and they have some players who can really knock down shots in CJ Fair, Cooney, Grant and Ennis, all in double figures.

UF is also looking very tough and has gotten better and more healthy since UConn beat them. They have 5 players in double digit scoring averages. Not sure we would come away with a W on a neutral court against this big, physical and athletic team.

I've not seen Wichita State or San Diego State this year, so I can't really speak on them, but then you get to Nova and Cinci which I have seen, neither look daunting.

KU and MSU are two teams that looked very good early on that I thought would get even better as March approaches, but they have not played well lately. KU surprises me. I think they are at full strength, so not sure what their issues are. MSU recently lost a couple of key players, both that I believe will be back this season if they haven't already come back, so they could end up firing on all cylinders come tournament time. They were rolling before Payne went down and then Dawson breaking his hand while watching some game tape has also depleted their front court. I think Payne is back and Dawson is supposed to be out for just a month, should be back in a couple weeks.

There's still a lot of ball to be played and time for programs to improve, but IMO the field looks wide open with SU and UF as the cream of the crop. It looks like a season where some unexpected team, like the 2011 UConn team, could end up cutting down the nets when it's all said and done.

 

[caw]

There are a lot of very good teams this year, deepest field in recent memory. However, there really isn't one truly dominant team like say Duke/UConn 1999 or UNC 2009 or UK 2012.

Cuse has the best record and their zone will win them a ton but they don't look exactly dominant. Florida will be interesting, especially if Walker can fit in, he gives them some freak athleticism. I would want to avoid them more than any other team I think.

 

[kobe]

There seems like an abnormally large number of teams that are really flawed on one side of the ball, but amazing on the other side. (Using KenPom)

Duke- #1 in offense, #85 in defense
Creighton- #2 in offense, #61 in defense
Kentucky- #4 in offense, #59 in defense

Virginia- #87 in offense, #2 in defense
St. Louis- #164 in offense, #3 in defense
Ohio State- #117 in offense, #4 in defense
Cincinnati- #124 in offense, #5 in defense
San Diego St- #101 in offense, #6 in defense

Hell you could even throw in Northwestern, although they have an uphill battle to get into the bubble conversion, and they are #314 in offense (YIKES), #10 in defense.

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I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of upsets just because the top teams simply aren't as efficient as in years past.

 

[upstater]

There is no way Oklahoma is a better team than UConn. No way. Badly coached as well. I know Kruger has a big rep but he just badly bothed the end of the WV-OK game.