Since November 23, 2009

[Waltdods]

In any given week, it is more likely that Syracuse was ranked #1 than that Syracuse was ranked below #12.

In the 76 AP polls covering the last four seasons, Syracuse has been ranked in the Top 10 63 times and in the Top 5 42 times.

This is really a hell of a run. These numbers compare favorably with the late '80s golden age. Over the four years of Derrick Coleman's carear, SU was ranked #1 seven times (the same number as the past four years) and outside the top 12 six yeams (also the same). But those teams had a lower portion of top 10 rankings (51 out of a possible 68) and a much lower portion of top 5 ratings (22/68). In other words, while Brandon Triche spent 55 percent of his carear in the top 5 (!!!), DC spent 32 percent.



(All stats from http://www.collegepollarchive.com/mbasketball/ap/teams/by_season.cfm?teamid=65&seasonid=1990)

 

[HOFCeluck]

this is the new golden age. Enjoy it.

 

[realorange]

Nice stats, but a different era. The late 80s teams in the top 10 in the polls would all likely beat the top 10 from last year 7 out of 10 games. Biggest difference is experience with the majority of teams with fourth year players.

 

[orangefog]

Nice stats, but a different era. The late 80s teams in the top 10 in the polls would all likely beat the top 10 from last year 7 out of 10 games. Biggest difference is experience with the majority of teams with fourth year players.

Certainly they are different eras, but it is relative, no?

 

[realorange]

Certainly they are different eras, but it is relative, no?

Not really. You are comparing very different teams overall not just Syracuse. Trying to compare Brandon Triche time in the top 5 vs DC time is like comparing AAA baseball against major league.

 

[Waltdods]

Trying to compare Brandon Triche time in the top 5 vs DC time is like comparing AAA baseball against major league.

I mean, yes, obviously, Derrick Coleman was a much better basketball player than Brandon Triche. (Or anyone who has played at SU since April 2003.) And the quality of competition was higher then. Those late '80s teams would probably beat the more recent iterations. All true.

But it's just as hard to make the top 5 today as it was 20 years ago (maybe harder, given the flattening of the talent distribution and the growth in competitive teams).

 

[CusefanATL]

Not really. You are comparing very different teams overall not just Syracuse. Trying to compare Brandon Triche time in the top 5 vs DC time is like comparing AAA baseball against major league.

but its all relative.

 

[Flacusian]

Bottom line is then and now basically the same: if you show up at the Dome to play Syracuse, chances are yer gonna get your a$$ kicked in the dirt big time.

 

[jordoo]

I'm not sure if it was harder to do then or now, no doubt the teams were better then as they had multiple 3 and 4 year players who were very developed and went on to NBA careers. That just doesn't happen anymore.