Seth Davis Poll Vote

[Knicks411]

Here's the problem, he ranks OSU ahead of SU stating on a neutral court he thinks OSU would win. But he also thinks Kentucky on a neutral court would win, yet he ranks SU ahead of Kentucky. You can't use different criteria to rank each team.

He is diminishing winning by his poll. No way a two-loss UNC team should be ahead of an undefeated Louisville team.

I don't necessarily have a problem with a 2 loss UNC team being ahead of Louisville. Louisville has played one road game this year, against a Butler team that I guess isn't all that good. UNC has gone to Kentucky and UNLV, two teams who will be in the dance. Louisville's best wins are Long Beach State at home, and Vandy (minus Ezeli) at home. UNC has beaten Long Beach State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. UNC has better wins. If the teams had played the same, or even similar schedules, fine. But they haven't. I'm about 99% certain UNC would be undefeated in they had played Louisville's schedule, and I'm about 90% certain Louisville wouldn't be undefeated if they had played UNC's schedule. (And they are going to Kentucky in a few weeks; we'll see how they do then).

But I do agree with your first point. Should try and use the same standard for everyone.

 

[BleedsOrange44]

I don't necessarily have a problem with a 2 loss UNC team being ahead of Louisville. Louisville has played one road game this year, against a Butler team that I guess isn't all that good. UNC has gone to Kentucky and UNLV, two teams who will be in the dance. Louisville's best wins are Long Beach State at home, and Vandy (minus Ezeli) at home. UNC has beaten Long Beach State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. UNC has better wins. If the teams had played the same, or even similar schedules, fine. But they haven't. I'm about 99% certain UNC would be undefeated in they had played Louisville's schedule, and I'm about 90% certain Louisville wouldn't be undefeated if they had played UNC's schedule. (And they are going to Kentucky in a few weeks; we'll see how they do then).

But I do agree with your first point. Should try and use the same standard for everyone.

I do have a problem with a 2 loss UNC team being ahead of an undefeated UL. Winning should matter. Compare their schedules, fine. But look at a common opponent, Long Beach State. UNC trailed at the half, and barely won by 6. UL was up double figures nearly the entire game and won by double figures. UNC's strength of schedule is 46, so it's not like they have this rigorous schedule. And they lost to an unranked team. UNLV may be a tournament team, that's fine. But UL hasn't lost to an unranked team. I know their SOS is much worse, but still. Being undefeated is better than losing twice. Just my opinion.

 

[arbitragegls]

...so help me here...he places Florida at #6; but because 'Cuse beat them at home...we still arent good enough as undefeated team to top OSU...c'mon UK (hate to say) lost by 1 away to a very good Indiana team on a last play 3...if that didnt go in and UK won...does that make UK #1, OSU #2 and 'Cuse #3...how rediculous...no one helped our ranking when KJ was injured; or Purdue when they lost their star...thought this was a team game..no me; no I...just 5 players on floor...oops, only when it suites your theories.

 

[Knicks411]

I just think when you have 2 completely different schedules, it's almost irrelevant. I also think SOS, especially at this point, is a little bit of a red herring. There's really no difference between playing the #100 team at home vs the #200 team; you're going to win either one. I can't put too much stock in the records. And I am always willing to cut some slack to teams that challenge themselves.

UNC has definitely played more games where they even could've lost. The 4 toughest games either team has played have been UNC: @UK, Wisconsin, @UNLV, and Michigan State.

On another note, I have kind of been unimpressed with Lousville, at least as a top 5 or so team. I watched them struggle to beat Ohio at home, in a game where they losing late, I saw them struggle to beat Vandy at home when Vandy was without Ezeli. I dunno. Louisville hasn't lost to an unranked team, but they also haven't played an NCAA tournament team (unless you think Butler is going to turn it around) on the road yet. UNC has played 3 road/neutral games vs NCAA tournament teams. So would you think UNC was a better team if t hey hadn't played Kentucky and UNLV and just scheduled a couple of cupcakes?

 

[orangepassion]

Then what was it? Teams aren't going to hold players out to preserve rankings. Rankings are just a dumb list we all like to talk about. I don't think coaches really care.

Btw, another point in the Sullinger thing though. He's missed 2 games in a row with back spasms; it might be worth building that into the ranking for Ohio State. IOW, maybe you need to consider the fact that Sullinger may not be around every game the rest of the season for them. Back injuries can linger. Which would hurt their ranking.

As for Louisville, eh, I can see 8, though I guess it's a little low. They haven't really beaten anyone, they beat Vandy at home without Ezeli, and they beat Long Beach State at home. You could probably quibble with Baylor. (Man, I just saw Lville beat Butler. They're 125th int he Pom rankings.

Teams aren't going to do it, but you can't pretend that the game never happened. Then what's the point of the game? You can factor it in, but can't just say well someone was injured, so the game doesn't count. Where would you draw the line? Let's say the 2nd best player on the team is hurt-Does the loss still count? There's no end.

 

[Upstate]

No way a two-loss UNC team should be ahead of an undefeated Louisville team.

Exactly. And he can make himself look smarter by putting Ville higher, and once they get a bunch of guys back and they play better and better, he can say he believed in them the whole time.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Who cares.

 

[cusetown1]

did anybody see the Unc vs Long Beach State game? How did UNC look?