Who's #2 Now?

[skilz]

1. UConn
2. Baylor
3. ND
4. Maryland

Can't fault Baylor for not playing this week. They have already played a total of 11 games. ND has played 9 games, with the DeP game being #10. However, I think the rankings will depend on the outcome or margin of win on the ND/DeP game, which I think will be closer than the Baylor/DeP final. Maryland has only played 1 top 10 team (not named UConn), so I can't push them up any further than #4. FSU would come in as #5.

 

[Nuyoika]

1) Neither team should be penalized for scheduling, and losing to, UCONN

2) UConn beat both teams by identical scores. However......

It took a flagrant foul ultimately worth four points to round out UCONN's 11-point win at home v Baylor. It took Notre Dame's 5 points during garbage time (The last 55 seconds) to change a 16-point loss to an 11-pointer on their home court. In my opinion, Baylor kept is closer longer in a less hospitable environment.

3) It is hard to penalize Baylor in advance of a perceived easier conference schedule. If that were prevalent, boy would UCONN be in trouble.

I would put Baylor second right now. If Maryland wins against UCONN, and remains unbeaten, they are #1 until they lose.

However.... Baylor was ranked higher than UConn at the time.... So in theory if the #2(Baylor at the time) gets beaten by the #3(UConn at the time) regardless as to whether its home or away I am not sure how that means when the new #1(UConn at the time of playing Notre Dame) beats the new #2(Notre Dame) that the new #3(Currently Baylor) now becomes #2?

I can't follow that logic. It would make more sense to leave the rankings as is until either one of the 3 lose or Baylor and ND play each other which won't be happeneing.

 

[Rayvin56]

Duh!! Baylor,,,

ND should drop at least 3 spots since that is what happened to Baylor after they lost AT UCONN. Doesn't matter to me if Maryland moves to 2 since UCONN will knock them off soon enough and Baylor would move up at that point.

Texas may be the best 2-4 team that we've seen in a long time.

Got to agree with you, ETT--Baylor at the 2 spot...

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I'm not convinced that Florida State isn't the second best team in the country. It's going to be really, really interesting when they play Notre Dame and Louisville. I wouldn't put it past Florida State to beat them both.

 

[UcMiami]

I think ND is getting a little too much respect from outsiders, and what is worse, they and their coach were buying into that respect based on both performance and reaction after the Uconn game. They have:

1. The best/most experienced PG of the teams ranked in the top 5 - I really like Allen and think she will deserve the Lieberman should she win it. Unlike Baylor's Johnson last year she actually is a scoring threat in every game.

2. They have a collection of highly talented perimeter players who can score, but it is a 'collection' at this point and not a organized team. Arike is an exciting offensive talent, and they have threatening three point shooters, but it isn't that experienced a group and I don't have a sense that they are individually very balanced players - some are strong defenders, some can hang at the three point line and drain shots, others can drive hard, but they are at the moment mostly 'specialists'. And they seem not to know the pecking order within the team, nor their specific roles.

3. They do not have the best center or a particularly good rotation in the post. Turner has a lot of talent, but her play reminds me of Tina Charles as a freshman, but she is a junior and should be a more consistent force by now. I know she is recovering from surgery and this might be like a knee, requiring a year of play to get past the mental hurdles, but I am not giving her a pass because the issue is consistency of effort and not of performance. The other players are 'nice' but not special - Boley is a freshman so she has time, the others ...

It is an unbalanced roster, with more strength outside than in, which is better than the opposite generally, but causes coaching headaches because you are always trying to compensate and disguise. It is also early in the year and Muffet has a lot of time to create better definition in roles and tighten organization as a team. There is a lot of talent and that can cover for lack of real team cohesion, especially with a really good experienced PG, so this team could become a beast in March, but it also has a bit of the feel of last years team that could disappoint before reaching the FF. Muffet is a good and experienced team builder but I don't really see those Diggins/McBride/Achunwa kind of leaders in the players, nor the Cable/Huffman/Mabrey1 senior glue and mental toughness leaders. Allen for all her skill and on-court leadership isn't that player.

None of the teams being discussed is a really balanced team (including Uconn) so all the coaches and teams are dealing with issues and covering up for deficiencies. I am not saying ND is not going to win it all. Just that people seem to be glossing over their problems more than they are with the others.*

* I haven't seen Maryland play and they haven't challenged themselves enough - they might be the most balanced team of the lot. That doesn't make them the best, but they do have solid talent and so I will be curious to watch them against Uconn - is their season to date a mirage built on a cupcake foundation, or are the cupcakes creating the smokescreen that disguises their real strength?

 

[easttexastrash]

I think ND is getting a little too much respect from outsiders, and what is worse, they and their coach were buying into that respect based on both performance and reaction after the Uconn game. They have:

1. The best/most experienced PG of the teams ranked in the top 5 - I really like Allen and think she will deserve the Lieberman should she win it. Unlike Baylor's Johnson last year she actually is a scoring threat in every game.

Allen is a very good PG, but she is nowhere near the offensive threat that Alexis Jones is. I will take Jones over Allen every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[bizarro aj]

I will say i think Florida state is winning the acc. I also think uconn is going to beat Maryland easily to show them that playing cupcakes don't get you ready for uconn.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

I also think uconn is going to beat Maryland easily to show them that playing cupcakes don't get you ready for uconn.

Like they did last season in New York when they had Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson. Lol.

 

[JordyG]

Like they did last season in New York when they had Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson. Lol.

When Frese loses in College Point by the same amount as last year please pop onto the BY. Your team peaking during a 10 point loss in December doesn't seem much of a bragging point to me. To a clearly under performing UConn team by the way.

 

[UcMiami]

Allen is a very good PG, but she is nowhere near the offensive threat that Alexis Jones is. I will take Jones over Allen every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I might agree as a 'guard', but as a point guard - nope. I like Jones a lot, but I don't think she as the point guard could lead Baylor to a title. I understand your Aussie is taking on more of the PG duties since the Uconn game which I think is wise of Kim.

 

[triaddukefan]

Allen is a very good PG, but she is nowhere near the offensive threat that Alexis Jones is. I will take Jones over Allen every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I just was looking up NCAA stats... I didnt realize that Jones was shooting 53% from 3 pt land

I'm not convinced that Florida State isn't the second best team in the country. It's going to be really, really interesting when they play Notre Dame and Louisville. I wouldn't put it past Florida State to beat them both.

Unfortunately they only play ND once... at ND on Senior night at the end of February

 

[alexrgct]

 

[BroadwayVa]

ND is still #2 in my mind and the last team I want to face in the final four - eventually they are going to break through when it really really matters most.

I agree--ND is number 2. ---they played Uconn hard for 2 plus quarters. Uconn stuck it to the in the first Quarter and they didn't give up--they came back time after time--as did Uconn--. Anyone who likes a slug fest had to love this game. Muffet thought her team not as tough didn't see the kids i saw. It was much like the last game Uconn lost to ND--with a different outcome.
If not ND then who? Baylor, Texas, Duke, USC??? I believe ND can and will defeat all of them.

 

[bizarro aj]

Like they did last season in New York when they had Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson. Lol.

You mean when half the uconn team had the flu? Whats Maryland's excuse for not getting to the final 4 last year? I'm betting they don't make the final 4 this year either!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Like they did last season in New York when they had Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson. Lol.

And Chong (fortunately). We couldn't move Jones.

 

[huskeynut]

Without getting into all the reasoning:
#1 - UConn
#2 - Baylor
#3 - ND
#4 - MD
#5 - SC
#6 - FSU.

I think ND is a little overrated right now. Too many defensive lapses to ignore. A lot of one-on-one play, not crisp passing.

 

[USFMB]

No one is talking USF due to the schedule they play. Look at the list and who really thinks USF could beat any of the top 11 teams the majority of the time. The soph Laksa is playing very well and leads them. Put Gabby or Kia on her and say goodnight.

Its still early to come to a conclusion on the current USF team.

I will say that we have more offensive weapons this year.

So, you might be able to slow down Laksa, but we have some other three point threats as well.

In the recent FIU game the OP mentioned, we converted 16 3-pointers out of 31 attempts.

We are stilling waiting on JUCO AA PG N. DeJesus who recently had knee surgery. She might first get to play for us this Sunday. She was expected to be a big part of our offense, being a 50% 3-point shooter at Miami Dade JC.

We will learn more about where USF stands after the Play-4-Kay tourney later this month.

Regardless, we are looking forward to playing @Uconn, since that is the real test for comparison purposes.

 

[donalddoowop]

Allen is a very good PG, but she is nowhere near the offensive threat that Alexis Jones is. I will take Jones over Allen every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I think Jordin Canada is as good as either of those two.

 

[HuskiesU]

Baylor

 

[easttexastrash]

I think Jordin Canada is as good as either of those two.

She's definitely a good one and gave Baylor fits.

 

[easttexastrash]

I agree--ND is number 2. ---they played Uconn hard for 2 plus quarters.

So Baylor was within 4 points of UCONN with 3:30 in the fourth quarter yet ND played UCONN hard for 2+ quarters and that is more impressive to you? I think your dislike for Baylor is clouding your judgement.

 

[BroadwayVa]

So Baylor was within 4 points of UCONN with 3:30 in the fourth quarter yet ND played UCONN hard for 2+ quarters and that is more impressive to you? I think your dislike for Baylor is clouding your judgement.

Just an opinion---I don't have any dislikes in Women's bb---although I do like some better than others!! Baylor Mulkey or Ms Davis are not among any to dislike. My judgement may be clouded by Notre Dame has a a lot of talent and has a top coach--like Michigan men, it's a team I like to like less--because they are usually that good. (Mich--I go back to the fab 5 and haven't gotten over it) Confused??
It's still just and opinion!!

 

[easttexastrash]

Just an opinion---I don't have any dislikes in Women's bb---although I do like some better than others!! Baylor Mulkey or Ms Davis are not among any to dislike. My judgement may be clouded by Notre Dame has a a lot of talent and has a top coach--like Michigan men, it's a team I like to like less--because they are usually that good. (Mich--I go back to the fab 5 and haven't gotten over it) Confused??
It's still just and opinion!!

Sometimes opinion outweighs supporting data. That is what makes this all so much fun, I guess. That usually does not work well for me at work, but luckily this ain't work.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Sometimes opinion outweighs supporting data. That is what makes this all so much fun, I guess. That usually does not work well for me at work, but luckily this ain't work.

Thank you, your answer to my confusing posting was generous!! Even at work--opinions count (depending upon your management) some times a decision has to be made (opinion) --choose one you can only be right or wrong (in someones opinion) --if you take the wrong track you usually find it quickly and make proper corrections--unless of course you are the Government--then you just tell em what they want to be told.

 

[Plebe]

Allen is a very good PG, but she is nowhere near the offensive threat that Alexis Jones is. I will take Jones over Allen every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I'll take Alexis Jones, Kelsey Plum, Jordin Canada, and Tyra Buss over Lindsay Allen.