We Should Be #1 on Monday

[RichCTBB]

A win at home when you are favored doesn’t offset a loss to Central Florida. You don’t move up in that scenario.

It should when you’re playing without a player like Clingan

 

[navery12]

A win at home when you are favored doesn’t offset a loss to Central Florida. You don’t move up in that scenario.

I agree, but I think that's only telling half the story. In a week where so many other top teams lose, keeping the same number of points might be enough to move up to #1. Purdue is at 1566, Kansas is at 1481, UConn at 1335. I can definitely see a scenario where Kansas ends up at #1 with somewhere around 1450-1480 points and us/Purdue are a close #2/3

 

[Viet Vet]

It's a really big deal for any team that hasn't been there before. For a team defending its fifth national championship, the goal is nothing less than the FF, and being in the position to win #6.

Temery, you nailed it. Expectations, coupled with past performance, influence our perception of the importance of mid-season rankings.

I am a UConn hockey season ticketholder. I care greatly about being ranked in the top ten (we aren’t), as it might ultimately get us an NCAA tourney bid, which would be a first. In basketball, because of our past success, my expectation is the Final Four.

High mid-season polling is much more important to me in hockey than in basketball, for the simple reason that in one sport we haven’t been there before.

 

[Fan1978]

Houston lost twice. As I said in another thread I think we will come out #3. Purdue and Kansas will be ahead of us

Purdue will be 1 for sure, there ooc wins are simply better. Kansas probably 2 and UConn 3. We will move up if we beat the good big east teams. 2 wins this week gets it done

 

[navery12]

Temery, you nailed it. Expectations, coupled with past performance, influence our perception of the importance of mid-season rankings.

I am a UConn hockey season ticketholder. I care greatly about being ranked in the top ten (we aren’t), as it might ultimately get us an NCAA tourney bid, which would be a first. In basketball, because of our past success, my expectation is the Final Four.

High mid-season polling is much more important to me in hockey than in basketball, for the simple reason that in one sport we haven’t been there before.

Which makes sense as a fan. But these players and coaches haven't been there before, and they absolutely deserve that satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment

 

[KingAG]

Purdue will be 1 for sure, there ooc wins are simply better. Kansas probably 2 and UConn 3. We will move up if we beat the good big east teams. 2 wins this week gets it done

The AP poll is a power ranking not a seeding metric. You lose you drop. Thats how it’s always operated. Who gives a damn about a resume when you get blown out by UCF and lose by 15 to Nebraska. Give us our respect

 

[HuskyHawk]

Anyone talking about "well we have to look at the overall resume" is looking for a reason to deny us.

This is the AP poll, not discussing the merits of the #1 overall seed.

If you lose, you should drop. Period.

Except we lost last week and didn’t drop. Doesn’t work that way. UConn, Purdue and KU have 2 losses. Rank them based on who they beat and who they lost to.

 

[TheRealKBuks]

For the gazillionth time I can’t see why people are so obsessed by this but whatever. It’s Jan 15th……we aren’t into t-shirts around here last I checked.

Get healthy fast Donovan……painfully obvious these last couple games how much we need you.

For the gazillionth time I can't see why people are obsessed with the idea that this isn't a big deal. It doesn't mean anything in the long run but its an awesome accomplishment for the kids, and fun for fans. It doesn't have to be more than that.

Being ranked #1 in the country would be awesome. Can this meme of "I'd rather be #1 in april" die already.

I'm very curious to hear from everyone who thinks being ranked #1 is not a big deal...did any of you play sports growing up, and were any of you on a top ranked team? My high school baseball team got ranked #15 in the state, and we were a program that won multiple state titles. I can't even begin to describe the elation we had in the locker room. Being ranked #1 in the country will always be a big deal for the kids no matter what.

 

[auror]

Except we lost last week and didn’t drop. Doesn’t work that way. UConn, Purdue and KU have 2 losses. Rank them based on who they beat and who they lost to.

It's been almost a month since we lost (25 days).

 

[KingAG]

Except we lost last week and didn’t drop. Doesn’t work that way. UConn, Purdue and KU have 2 losses. Rank them based on who they beat and who they lost to.

Yea no.

We went undefeated and didn’t move up.

 

[KingAG]

For the gazillionth time I can't see why people are obsessed with the idea that this isn't a big deal. It doesn't mean anything in the long run but its an awesome accomplishment for the kids, and fun for fans. It doesn't have to be more than that.

Being ranked #1 in the country would be awesome. Can this meme of "I'd rather be #1 in april" die already.

I'm very curious to hear from everyone who thinks being ranked #1 is not a big deal...did any of you play sports growing up, and were any of you on a top ranked team? My high school baseball team got ranked #15 in the state, and we were a program that won multiple state titles. I can't even begin to describe the elation we had in the locker room. Being ranked #1 in the country will always be a big deal for the kids no matter what.

“I’d rather be #1 in April” is so tired. There’s no guarantee that we accomplish that very difficult and unlikely goal. These cool accomplishments throughout the season are what makes the process fun.

 

[Pmac923]

Purdue will be 1 for sure, there ooc wins are simply better. Kansas probably 2 and UConn 3. We will move up if we beat the good big east teams. 2 wins this week gets it done

Purdue lost Northwestern and Nebraska. UConn beating UNC by 15+ is better than any win they have, not sure how you can make the case.

 

[tzznandrew]

Well Donny Marshall said "Purdue shouldn't be penalized and drop from #1 because Nebraska has a new team" or something weird like that. I get that he tries to be unbiased but he lays it on too thick at times.

They got absolutely whooped by Nebraska. The sort of loss that, if you imagine teams 2-10 won, would drop them to 4 or 5. But...they won't drop that far because everyone else lost. It should be something like 1. UConn, 2. Purdue, 3. UNC.

 

[KingAG]

Purdue lost Northwestern and Nebraska. UConn beating UNC by 15+ is better than any win they have, not sure how you can make the case.

Purdue has better wins than we do. But worse losses.

It should mean nothing in a weekly AP poll.

Those same voters making this argument probably have UNC ahead of us and Mich st in the top 25. It’s inconsistent.

It’s a lack of respect.

If we were Duke, UNC, or Kansas this wouldn’t even be a discussion. It’s be a foregone conclusion

 

[WhereistheDove?]

“I’d rather be #1 in April” is so tired. There’s no guarantee that we accomplish that very difficult and unlikely goal. These cool accomplishments throughout the season are what makes the process fun.

I’m convinced it’s the same folks that get in a huff every time a group of 18-22year olds storms a court.

 

[tzznandrew]

Kansas was 3 and lost. They are not moving up. Thats stupid.

Why would they jump in front of Purdue? It makes no sense. If you think Kansas is going to stay ahead of us, you think our peak is #3.

 

[tzznandrew]

Kansas had a top ten win and has the head to head against us. That is the argument for them at #1. I’m not saying I agree, but that is the argument.

Where will OU be ranked in that very poll? They lost twice last week. It's not a Top 10 in, and essentially wasn't when it happened.

 

[storrsroars]

“I’d rather be #1 in April” is so tired. There’s no guarantee that we accomplish that very difficult and unlikely goal. These cool accomplishments throughout the season are what makes the process fun.

So you'd rather be #1 now than in April?

The key word there is "rather". Sure, you can have both a #1 tomorrow and a #1 in April, but I'm pretty sure every UConn hoops fan would "rather" have the one in April.

 

[tzznandrew]

I will almost guarantee they will get quite a few first place votes at a minimum. Again, not saying it’s right, but it’s Kansas.

I'd be surprised if they get any. The #1 votes are going to be Purdue, UConn, and (maybe) UNC (who was #4 in a few polls and #5 ahead of us in 2 or 3).

Just think of it like this: If Purdue and Houston won, would UConn jump Kansas? The answer is obviously yes. In what world would Purdue and Houston losing in addition to Kansas have Kansas jump up to #1. If you're not dropping Kansas below UConn, you aren't dropping Purdue below Kansas for similar reasons—Kansas couldn't even make it to the Finals of the tournament Purdue won.

 

[jibsey]

We didn't have our starting center and we won by 13. Johnson gave little in stats so with a healthy Clingan this is a 25 point win and we are 1.
Rankings mean little in Jan.

 

[KingAG]

So you'd rather be #1 now than in April?

The key word there is "rather". Sure, you can have both a #1 tomorrow and a #1 in April, but I'm pretty sure every UConn hoops fan would "rather" have the one in April.

It’s stupid. No one is saying otherwise. Why say it? It’s like saying you don’t want to win your next game because you’d “rather” win the national championship game. It’s the little engine that could bull spit. We’re elite. We’re the best team in the country. We’re the reigning national champs. Put that damn #1 in front of our name and we’ll take all the smoke that comes with it. PERIOD.

 

[Huskygrad88]

Purdue lost Northwestern and Nebraska. UConn beating UNC by 15+ is better than any win they have, not sure how you can make the case.

Perhaps as an individual win, but they have beaten Tennessee, Marquette, Illinois, and Arizona. Their resume is better.

 

[uh-no]

I think y'all are putting more thought into the polls than the actual voters do.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Yea no.

We went undefeated and didn’t move up.

I mean the week we lost to Seton Hall.

 

[TheRealKBuks]

So you'd rather be #1 now than in April?

The key word there is "rather". Sure, you can have both a #1 tomorrow and a #1 in April, but I'm pretty sure every UConn hoops fan would "rather" have the one in April.

The point here is, its not a choice between the two even though some posters try and present it that way. Being ranked #1 right now would be awesome, lets stop acting like that isn't a big deal. Everyone knows that it has 0 bearing on the final rankings. Lets celebrate these kids... thats the point.

being number 1 in the country at any time in the year is fun and should be celebrated.

 

[KingAG]

I mean the week we lost to Seton Hall.

Because the teams behind us lost. Thats not the case here. Thats not the case here. The team 3 spots behind them(UConn) won

 

[prankster]

For the gazillionth time I can’t see why people are so obsessed by this but whatever. It’s Jan 15th……we aren’t into t-shirts around here last I checked.

Get healthy fast Donovan……painfully obvious these last couple games how much we need you.

I am of mixed emotions regarding DC's absence.

We are giving SJ a lot more run, Kara an is being tasked differently, Jaylin is getting game time. Even Singari is getting a minute or two

This interim hasn't hurt us so far. And the team is developing more quickly.

DC comes back and we should be better still.

 

[husky429]

I'm understanding more and more why August left this hell hole. Some of y'all could find a reason to complain a out winning the damned lottery

 

[storrsroars]

The point here is, its not a choice between the two even though some posters try and present it that. Being ranked #1 right now would be awesome, lets stop acting like that isn't a big deal, or has any bearing on the final rankings. Lets celebrate these kids, thats the point.

"Rather" implies preference, not choice. Taken completely at face value, "I'd rather be #1 in April" is a simple concept that should be universally agreed upon.

 

[tzznandrew]

So you'd rather be #1 now than in April?

The key word there is "rather". Sure, you can have both a #1 tomorrow and a #1 in April, but I'm pretty sure every UConn hoops fan would "rather" have the one in April.

This is a ridiculous position. Of course everyone would pick #1 in April, which is why the whole "I'd rather be #1 in April than now" is such a lame thing to post." It's like "I, for one, would rather not to have brain cancer!"

But the thing is that having #1 at some point in the season (a) has tangible benefits to the program, and (b) doesn't actually hinder the ability for the program to be #1 at the end of the season (cf. 1999, 2004 for UConn, most other years for other champions).

The season is a process with its own ups and downs, and we should enjoy the regular season ups. I know we're spoiled as UConn fans with titles, but being #1 during the season is actually an accomplishment, and something we should be proud of. It isn't the season's goal, but it means you are consistently winning and at least on track to have success in April.

I also want to win the BE Regular Season and Tournament Titles. Those mean something to me as well. The same logic of "well I'd rather win the NCAAT" is both true, and utterly meaningless in the same way as these posts negating people being excited to be #1.