The American

[UcMiami]

Thought I would take a look at the American Conference heading into the new year based on Massey's:

Uconn - #1, end of last year #1
USF - #29, #22
Temple - #58, #44
Tulane - #65, #51
SMU - #89, #161
UCF - #92, #285
ECU - #114, #144
Tulsa - #164, #159
Cinci - #184, #255
Houston - #191, #314
Memphis - #192, #103

Total - 1179 vs. 1378 - average 107 vs. 125

It will be interesting to see how things move as we move to more standardized competition for all teams, not just the AAC, but ... the top four teams are basically about the same as last year while the middle and tail end have shown some improvement. Overall it is still very weak when compared to any P5 conference even accounting for a little P5 bias in all forms of ranking services.

 

[Frenchy]

We shouldn't worry about this conference. Uconn is just on a holding pattern till our football team get decent again. The administration just took a major step in the right direction.

 

[Vowelguy]

6-6 Memphis leads 10-2 Vandy 47-35 midway thru 3rd. Would be a huge win for Tigers.

Sagarin:
Vandy #58 Memphis #188

Massey:
Vandy #46 Memphis #192

 

[Plebe]

Thought I would take a look at the American Conference heading into the new year based on Massey's:

Uconn - #1, end of last year #1
USF - #29, #22
Temple - #58, #44
Tulane - #65, #51
SMU - #89, #161
UCF - #92, #285
ECU - #114, #144
Tulsa - #164, #159
Cinci - #184, #255
Houston - #191, #314
Memphis - #192, #103

Total - 1179 vs. 1378 - average 107 vs. 125

It will be interesting to see how things move as we move to more standardized competition for all teams, not just the AAC, but ... the top four teams are basically about the same as last year while the middle and tail end have shown some improvement. Overall it is still very weak when compared to any P5 conference even accounting for a little P5 bias in all forms of ranking services.

The improvement in the AAC is perhaps most drastically seen in its OOC wining percentage. Last year the conference won only 52% of its nonconference games; this season thus far, 67%. Winning percentage, of course, doesn't reflect strength of schedule, but I doubt that SOS could account for a full 15 percentage points.

Also, the AAC and the Big East are in a dead heat with the Big 10 for 5th place in conference RPI.

 

[tomcat]

We shouldn't worry about this conference. Uconn is just on a holding pattern till our football team get decent again. The administration just took a major step in the right direction.

I don't think you can depend on the football team getting good any time soon and even if it does, there is no guarantee that a power conference is going to want UConn. Fact is, the logical place for UConn is the ACC, so let's say football gets better in 3-5 years. There are ACC members right now that may not be amenable to such a move for political/personal reasons.

It is an amazing thing, but a combination of both hubris and bonehead moves by the university leadership over a long period; ridiculous head football coaching hires; and possibly the worst combination possible (from UConn's point of view) of decisions made by other institutions moving to new conferences have conspired to put the university where it is today. Some may see it as a "holding pattern." I wish that were the case, but I really think that UConn may be "on hold" for a lot longer than any of us would like.

 

[tomcat]

So meanwhile, these stats are good news for UConn and the AAC in general. The middle of the pac seems to have improved measurably, SMU and UCF especially. Can someone put Memphis out of its misery?

 

[Plebe]

So meanwhile, these stats are good news for UConn and the AAC in general. The middle of the pac seems to have improved measurably, SMU and UCF especially. Can someone put Memphis out of its misery?

You mean the Memphis team that just beat Vanderbilt, 75-59?

 

[Vowelguy]

Also, the AAC and the Big East are in a dead heat with the Big 10 for 5th place in conference RPI.

RPI not a power rating. Not as meaningful as Sagarin or Massey.

Sagarin has AAC in 7th, far behind the B10. Closer in Massey

SAGARIN

1. PAC 86.1
2. B12 84.8
3. ACC 83.5
4. SEC 83.3
5. B10 80.5
6. BgE 75.4
7. AAC 74.0

MASSEY

1. PAC 2.19
2. B12 2.10
3. ACC 2.07
4. SEC 2.06
5. B10 1.86
6. AAC 1.78
7. BgE 1.71

 

[tomcat]

You mean the Memphis team that just beat Vanderbilt, 75-59?

Yep, that one. Perhaps their ranking at 193 is too low, but honestly, the Houston and Memphis rankings indicate there's some dreadful basketball being played. Perhaps just not tonight vs. Vandy.

 

[tomcat]

Ok, here's the deal. I'm watching the replay. Memphis is not great but willing to scrap for the ball. Vandy plays like they are running in five feet of water.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Ok, here's the deal. I'm watching the replay. Memphis is not great but willing to scrap for the ball. Vandy plays like they are running in five feet of water.

I am not picking on you with this remark - I just have to say it - "Duh, it was an upset". They happen. S*cks for Vandy, good for Memphis.

I would be remiss if I didn't say that - to me - the weakness of the American - and Big East, for that matter - is defined by those rankings. A lot of "so-so" power rankings that are not going to improve playing each other. Whereas, the more common decent strength teams play each other in the P5's, sort of magnifying the good effect. Or so it seams to me.

 

[triaddukefan]

Vandy

 

[ucbart]

It's going to be a tough road back to the top for Stephanie White. However, in 10 years, I expect Vandy to be one of the top 5 programs in the nation. Melanie Balcolmb could coach, but man she couldn't recruit at all. What's happened to Vandy and Purdue is sad.

 

[tomcat]

I am not picking on you with this remark - I just have to say it - "Duh, it was an upset". They happen. S*cks for Vandy, good for Memphis.

I would be remiss if I didn't say that - to me - the weakness of the American - and Big East, for that matter - is defined by those rankings. A lot of "so-so" power rankings that are not going to improve playing each other. Whereas, the more common decent strength teams play each other in the P5's, sort of magnifying the good effect. Or so it seams to me.

I think you've got that right about the competition and its effect on rankings. And as for the game -- this is the Vandy team that has beaten some decent teams this year? I know a team can be flat, bt the way they played, it's hard to believe they could beat anyone.