Way Too Early 2017-18 rankings

[BroadwayVa]

According to some of the passionate BY posters the defending champion goes to number 1 until they lose.

Historically, at least as long as Uconn was defending champs, you are correct.
To start the year next fall--if they don't have US Carolina as 1, I'd be more than surprised--
After USC is beaten and Uconn has beaten all 2 thru 6, the world can then anoint UConn once again Number one.
Here on the By, a Uconn site, it is fair to believe Uconn will be number one--as it was to expect 150 wins...

Congrats to Aj'a she was a lot better than I gave her credit.

 

[BroadwayVa]

We've all gone through all of the "what if's" of the MSU game, BUT, if we had pulled it out, and gotten to the championship game, we don't lose. UConn NEVER loses Championship games (men and women) , and we don't play 2 bad games in a row.

And Uconn NEVER plays 3 terrible quarters. I watched the game again--Uconn had open shots, shots that they make 80 out of 100 and missed them. In the 3rd (best Uc) quarter Collier was making her shots, Katie Lou was making her shots. Rebounding was a factor--Uconn shot too often with no one under or near the basket. Bad but not terrible foul shooting---again Chong and Gabby missing FT's they never miss. Katie Lou was Katie Lou ---but wasn't Katie Lou often enough--she needed to take charge. William percentage of shooting was poor --but timely--Miss st shooting was not high in percentage--but second chances were always Miss St.

 

[Vowelguy]

Historically, at least as long as Uconn was defending champs, you are correct.
To start the year next fall--if they don't have US Carolina as 1, I'd be more than surprised--
After USC is beaten and Uconn has beaten all 2 thru 6, the world can then anoint UConn once again Number one.
Here on the By, a Uconn site, it is fair to believe Uconn will be number one.

No.
UConn was not preseason 1 in 02-03 nor 16-17 because the pollsters understood that rankings are based on expectations of current / future performance.

Thinking UConn should be preseason 1 has nothing to do with being a UConn fan. I did not rank them #1 a year ago; I do now.

 

[BroadwayVa]

In this case South Carolina doesn't loose any of the players who played in the NCAA Tournament and they are bringing in some good recruits/transfer so it's not like there should be a drop off.....frankly as some here predicted, they played better offensively without Coates clogging the lane and she's the senior leaving.....

USCarolina is Champion, no doubt---but do you believe Uconn could not have beaten USC as they played against Miss St??
Dawn is about 500,000 or 1000000 richer this day--good contract.
Dawn has a knack of getting transfers--but all transfers don't work out--sometimes transfers are requested by the losing schools.
I agree Aj a played excellent against a bigger, more mobile center--credits to her. But they had 3 games to break the code of Miss St defense--Uconn none (no excuse, just fact)--poised Uconn lost it's poise.

 

[BroadwayVa]

No.
UConn was not preseason 1 in 02-03 nor 16-17 because the pollsters understood that rankings are based on expectations of current / future performance.

Thinking UConn should be preseason 1 has nothing to do with being a UConn fan. I did not rank them #1 a year ago; I do now.

That's 2 out of 11 not a great ratio . You took a general comment personally--on the BY --would you not expect Uconn fans to pick Uconn as number one starting next year---not personal--GENERAL...
If I wanted to mean you I have no Qualms of saying Vowel guy.

 

[Charliebball]

USCarolina is Champion, no doubt---but do you believe Uconn could not have beaten USC as they played against Miss St??
Dawn is about 500,000 or 1000000 richer this day--good contract.
Dawn has a knack of getting transfers--but all transfers don't work out--sometimes transfers are requested by the losing schools.
I agree Aj a played excellent against a bigger, more mobile center--credits to her. But they had 3 games to break the code of Miss St defense--Uconn none (no excuse, just fact)--poised Uconn lost it's poise.

No doubt UConn had the shakes but Miss State's inspired play had a lot to do with that..........if MS just rolled over our team would have righted the ship eventually..........who's to say that South Carolina wouldn't have done the same to us.............bottom line...............they won, they return their players and add some good ones.......they deserve the #1 slot for now...........when they loose a game they will most likely loose their #1 spot to the "rightful owners"...........

 

[Charliebball]

Exactly. It's not like what UCONN loses and adds is unknown.
And as much as it pains me to say this, Tennessee should be preseason top 10 as well. They bring almost everyone back (lose Reynolds) and get their starting PG back. Not to mention a very talented freshman class. They lost a lot last year, but a lot of those games were close. I could see them losing no more than 4-5 games all of next season and being a 2 seed. Let's hope it's more of the past 2 years, but still, there's more talent on their team next year than almost any of Pat's teams. A ferret could win with that roster...

Eric have you been swimming in that recently polluted sea water sent from our Mexican friends?

Yes we know that Stevens as an exceptional talent, but we really have no idea how she, Camara and the newbies will fare under the steely gaze of Coach Geno and whether or not the can be seemlessly transplanted into the UConn system. Until we see them under the white hot light of game time situations we simply assume they will kick butt..........and I personally wouldn't want to make assumptions about Tennessee under coach Holly's tutelage unless she had the entire 1971 LA Lakers team on her bench.........

 

[TerpWomenFan]

I'm sure I'm missing key players, which I know the knowledge BY crew will correct. And I'm probably forgetting some important team.

But here goes ...

(1) UConn - lose Chong; add transfers Azura & Camara + #3 HS class including HS POY Walker
(2) So Car - lose no key players (other than Coates); add #7 HS class
(3) N Dame - lose PG Allen, but lotsa talent returns; add Lili Thompson
(4) Texas - lose Lang & Taylor but McCarty/Atkins/Holmes back + 2 top 10 HS recruits
(5) Baylor - lose Jones/Prince/Davis/Cave but return a lot; add #2 HS class incl two top 10 players
(6) UCLA - return 4 of top 6 plus 3 players that were injured; add #4 HS class
(7) Duke - return 4 of top 6, add top HS recruits
(8) Oh St - lose 1 starter, return 8 players with 15+ mins
(9) Lou - return most key players; add Dana Evans (#3 PN)
(10) W Va - lose 1 starter but Tynice Martin back + add mid-season transfer Ekhelar (Oh St)

Also:
Maryland - lose top 2 (Jones, SWK) but return a lot

Duke is too high. I agree about Maryland. I have them 12th. I'll read the rest of the responses. What about Oregon and Stanford. I had them both in my top 10. Also Ohio State made my top 10.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

No Tennessee?

I was thinking about them with Deshields back. That will be an interesting team next season. Why can't Duke and Tennessee play a home and home. I want to see that game so badly.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Leaving Mississippi State out of the top completely discredits your poll.

This.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Well lemme try

1) UCONN 2) South Carolina 3) Baylor 4) ND 5) Texas 6) UCLA 7) Ohio State 8) Louisville 9) Tennesee 10) Stanford

11) Miss State 12) Oregon 13) Duke 14) Florida State 15) Maryland

Mississippi State is still to low. I have Maryland #14 ahead of Florida State but other than those two thing I like your poll. Well done.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Agree with the poster that said So Carolina is #1 until they lose. UConn #2.

Was UConn number 1 this past year? Wasn't there one service that had them #3?

 

[CocoHusky]

Was UConn number 1 this past year? Wasn't there one service that had them #3?

Preseason USA Today Coaches Poll was the only preseason poll to have UCONN #1

 

[BlueDevils]

Duke is too high..... not likely to have the starting PG (Lambert) until conference play..... if she plays at all next season. Have to replace 2 senior post players who provided needed interior defense.

AND we don't have a good head coach... you forgot to add we don't have a good head coach.

 

[Bigpetunia]

I REALLY like the Huskies' chances for winning #12 next year. I also REALLY like their chances for going from a one-loss season to a fully undefeated season next year. But, while I know it's unrealistic, I would love to see them ranked in the preseason at about #4 or #5. What I don't get, and what I have never gotten, is why any of us who are fans of this (especially) or any other team care so much as a whit about preseason rankings. I understand that we now are faced, alas, with about a six-month period of musings and speculations over this and that, but can anyone explain to me why this ranking thing matters in a way that is remotely convincing? Is this all just about pride? Our feelings??? After eleven national championships since 1995 (!) are we so easily wounded that this stuff really concerns us? Most fans, and particularly casual fans of WCBB around the country, inevitably pull for the underdog. They are thrilled that UConn went down this year, if you can characterize getting to the Final Four after the huge graduation losses it endured, and losing only in overtime on a buzzer-beater as "going down." Those folks will, quite understandably, gleefully wish to lowball UConn in any potential preseason rankings. Guess what? I hope that both they and the so-called experts do exactly that. My feelings will categorically not be hurt. I look forward with confidence to the only rankings that matter, the ones that come out next April at the tourney's conclusion! The rest is just the usual bloviation.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

UConn looks very strong next year. But so do Baylor and South Carolina and Mississippi State. I have doubts about Notre Dame, because I wouldn't be surprised if Brionna Turner doesn't return to form after her ACL tear. I recall that Stanford's Jayne Appel was never the same dominant player after her knee injury that she was before it. So if ND is missing the pre-injury Turner AND its point guard, I can't see them making the Final Four next year.

I think Oregon shouldn't be judged on its pre-tournament season. From the Pac-23 tournament, they ended up beating four of five highly ranked teams, only losing to Stanford and then UConn. I think this team is evolving quickly and that it will be a more formidable Oregon come November onwards.

Texas is getting more and more and more great players. Joyner Holmes won't be a freshman anymore, and they'll have even more help. Watch out!

I think WCBB will be much more top-heavy next year with really talented and very experienced teams, unlike the relatively young teams this year that lost to everyone. Very even this year. Shouldn't be so egalitarian next year.

 

[mtsuraider06]

I was thinking about them with Deshields back. That will be an interesting team next season. Why can't Duke and Tennessee play a home and home. I want to see that game so badly.

It was supposed to start this past season, but had to be pushed back. I think it starts next season, but I could be wrong.

 

[UcMiami]

Just went to Massey and Sagarin sites to see how their computer models dealt with the end of the year - in Massey the top six are now
Uconn, SC, MSS, Baylor, Stanford, ND and Uconn still has a significant ratings lead, while the last three are a dead heat.

In Sagarin:
Uconn, Baylor, SC, MSS, ND, UW (MD at 7, Stanford at 8) Uconn still has a comfortable lead over Baylor is ratings, but the significant gap is between Uconn/Baylor and everyone else - Baylor being much closer to Uconn than SC is to Baylor in anything about his 'recent' column.

Doesn't the coaches poll typically have a final poll after the FF? I wonder whether SC will get the #1 spot, and suspect they might not.

 

[johnnyc]

South Carolina is #1 until they lose.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Just went to Massey and Sagarin sites to see how their computer models dealt with the end of the year - in Massey the top six are now
Uconn, SC, MSS, Baylor, Stanford, ND and Uconn still has a significant ratings lead, while the last three are a dead heat.

In Sagarin:
Uconn, Baylor, SC, MSS, ND, UW (MD at 7, Stanford at 8) Uconn still has a comfortable lead over Baylor is ratings, but the significant gap is between Uconn/Baylor and everyone else - Baylor being much closer to Uconn than SC is to Baylor in anything about his 'recent' column.

Doesn't the coaches poll typically have a final poll after the FF? I wonder whether SC will get the #1 spot, and suspect they might not.

Usually, the top 4 are based on the Final Four. I expect SC to be first, but UConn might have some first or second place votes.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Just went to Massey and Sagarin sites to see how their computer models dealt with the end of the year - in Massey the top six are now
Uconn, SC, MSS, Baylor, Stanford, ND and Uconn still has a significant ratings lead, while the last three are a dead heat.

In Sagarin:
Uconn, Baylor, SC, MSS, ND, UW (MD at 7, Stanford at 8) Uconn still has a comfortable lead over Baylor is ratings, but the significant gap is between Uconn/Baylor and everyone else - Baylor being much closer to Uconn than SC is to Baylor in anything about his 'recent' column.

Doesn't the coaches poll typically have a final poll after the FF? I wonder whether SC will get the #1 spot, and suspect they might not.

Looking at the most recent (mid-March) poll:

We beat:

#2 ND by 11 at their place
#3 SC by 11
#4 MD at their place
#5 Baylor by 11
#10 FSU at their place
#11 Ohio State comfortably
#14 Texas fairly comfortably
#15 UCLA by about 15
#19 DePaul by a bunch
#21 Syracuse by a bunch
#24 Kansas State comfortably

And lost to:

#7 Mississippi State at the buzzer in OT

 

[ochoopsfan]

I will wait until Creme comes out with a 2018 Bracket this summer. He knows everything!!

 

[LasVegasYank]

I don't care about pre-season polls.

Anyways, it won't take UConn long to right the ship and eventually assume the #1 mantle.

 

[Vowelguy]

South Carolina is #1 until they lose.

The NC is not a title belt. You don't retain it until someone beats you.
A ranking is merely an assessment of teams quality at that point in time.

 

[oldude]

I do think SC starts next season at #1, and not just because they won the championship this year. As much as I know it pains Gamecock fans to admit it, once the team got used to playing without Coates, they were a much better team.

Nothing against Coates's ability, but having the twin towers on the floor together limited SC on both ends of the court. Without Coates, Gray and Davis started attacking the paint on offense. Bianca-Cuevas could play the 2 guard, where she was far more effective, and Wilson was free to wreak havoc going to the basket.

On the defensive end, SC was much quicker attacking the passing lanes and closing on shooters.

UConn should be #2. If both teams navigate their respective schedules unscathed, there will be a clash of Titans in Columbia in February when the previous 2 national champions could potentially face each other to determine the top team in the country.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Have Gray and Davis made announcements about leaving or staying? They will drop without them.

 

[Vowelguy]

I have no problem with someone voting SC #1 if they think they are the stronger team next year. That's what a poll is - people's assessment of the relative strength of teams.

It's when folks believe that a team "deserves" a ranking based on something else that I take issue.

 

[BroadwayVa]

No doubt UConn had the shakes but Miss State's inspired play had a lot to do with that.....if MS just rolled over our team would have righted the ship eventually.....who's to say that South Carolina wouldn't have done the same to us...bottom line.....they won, they return their players and add some good ones..they deserve the #1 slot for now......when they loose a game they will most likely loose their #1 spot to the "rightful owners"......

I watched the whole USC/Miss St game---interesting and to me not much fun--but much of that was due to Miss St's defense.
One stat on the game screen said Ms St got the call on 83 charge this year--up to that point in the game the got none. That is why Uconn was trampling Bulldogs all late night.
Both teams OBVIOUSLY deserved to be there---they won the prelims fair and square. US Carolina is the National Champ--and won it beating two tough teams ---Stanford and Miss St. TRUE--they own that championship---a better team than we played at game 100.
But my question about YOUR neighbor, going to ARKANSAS---will he succeed where Sykes failed???
The highlighted portion above is the way I SEE THE NUMBER ONE BEING HANDLED--UNLESS A TEAM LOSES MOST OF IT'S TOP TALENT ALA 2016

 

[Charliebball]

I watched the whole USC/Miss St game---interesting and to me not much fun--but much of that was due to Miss St's defense.

But my question about YOUR neighbor, going to ARKANSAS---will he succeed where Sykes failed???
The highlighted portion above is the way I SEE THE NUMBER ONE BEING HANDLED--UNLESS A TEAM LOSES MOST OF IT'S TOP TALENT ALA 2016

I don't know enough about the Arkansas program to make that judgement but he sure doesn't have to go too far to find some very fertile recruiting areas.........gotta be easier then Washington............

 

[SCspur]

Have Gray and Davis made announcements about leaving or staying? They will drop without them.

They would have to make their announcement by today and with the parade and all the celebrating today in Columbia I doubt they will leave early but you never know.