Biggest Jump - Memphis 10 from unranked to 16.

ESPN Power Rankings

those things are a complete flippin' joke. It really makes me question who is REALLY running college athletics. I think I have my answer. The Entertainment Sports Programming Network.

(01-14-2014 12:41 PM)Tgrrfan Wrote:  those things are a complete flippin' joke. It really makes me question who is REALLY running college athletics. I think I have my answer. The Entertainment Sports Programming Network.

I enjoy reading all that stuff. But true--years ago about the only thing going on was the Monday national polls.

Nowadays, it's all rankings all the time--all sorts of power rankings, individuals ranking the best teams or the teams that have risen the most or the teams that have fallen the most, or the most surprising teams, or whatever other factor the sports industry can use to attract eyeballs.

Increases every year too--imho there's more this year than last.

(01-14-2014 01:02 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(01-14-2014 12:41 PM)Tgrrfan Wrote:  those things are a complete flippin' joke. It really makes me question who is REALLY running college athletics. I think I have my answer. The Entertainment Sports Programming Network.

I enjoy reading all that stuff. But true--years ago about the only thing going on was the Monday national polls.

Nowadays, it's all rankings all the time--all sorts of power rankings, individuals ranking the best teams or the teams that have risen the most or the teams that have fallen the most, or the most surprising teams, or whatever other factor the sports industry can use to attract eyeballs.

Increases every year too--imho there's more this year than last.

All seems to be based on last couple of games....

I agree with all the comments, but if were omitted from these polls or lists we'd all be complaining.

just keep winning

Same thing is happening with recruiting classes, and ranking hs (or even middle school) kids. Consumers want the "sports journalists" to do more and more of their thinking for them.

There are so many not very good teams in the 20-30 range. If we can manage to get a #3 seed we will be sitting pretty. If not, then a 6 seed is just as good. As long as you can avoid the #1's you are going to be even money to make the Elite 8.

(01-14-2014 02:07 PM)Stammers Wrote:  There are so many not very good teams in the 20-30 range. If we can manage to get a #3 seed we will be sitting pretty. If not, then a 6 seed is just as good. As long as you can avoid the #1's you are going to be even money to make the Elite 8.

Beyond the possible one seeds: Arizona, Syracuse, Wisconsin and Michigan State no one really scares me all that much. Certainly doesn't mean that we would win but we could hold our own.

(01-14-2014 02:17 PM)mairving Wrote:  

(01-14-2014 02:07 PM)Stammers Wrote:  There are so many not very good teams in the 20-30 range. If we can manage to get a #3 seed we will be sitting pretty. If not, then a 6 seed is just as good. As long as you can avoid the #1's you are going to be even money to make the Elite 8.

Beyond the possible one seeds: Arizona, Syracuse, Wisconsin and Michigan State no one really scares me all that much. Certainly doesn't mean that we would win but we could hold our own.

KU might end up being the best team by March Madness. They have four NBA players in Embiid, Wiggins, Selden and Ellis. Embiid and Wiggins may be 1-2 in the next draft.

I could definitely see the selection committee pairing us with Kansas.

(01-14-2014 12:41 PM)Tgrrfan Wrote:  those things are a complete flippin' joke. It really makes me question who is REALLY running college athletics. I think I have my answer. The Entertainment Sports Programming Network.

you THINK you have the answer?

(01-14-2014 02:28 PM)tiger1016 Wrote:  

(01-14-2014 02:17 PM)mairving Wrote:  

(01-14-2014 02:07 PM)Stammers Wrote:  There are so many not very good teams in the 20-30 range. If we can manage to get a #3 seed we will be sitting pretty. If not, then a 6 seed is just as good. As long as you can avoid the #1's you are going to be even money to make the Elite 8.

Beyond the possible one seeds: Arizona, Syracuse, Wisconsin and Michigan State no one really scares me all that much. Certainly doesn't mean that we would win but we could hold our own.

KU might end up being the best team by March Madness. They have four NBA players in Embiid, Wiggins, Selden and Ellis. Embiid and Wiggins may be 1-2 in the next draft.

Yeah, I would like to see how Kansas does against Oklahoma State. I suspect that they will win unless Smart goes Memphis crazy on them.

OK State is thin inside now with Cobbins out. Different team. I think we'd take them handily if we met them this week, the way our frontcourt is playing. And I presume Marcus Smart is still sick...

(01-14-2014 12:41 PM)Tgrrfan Wrote:  those things are a complete flippin' joke. It really makes me question who is REALLY running college athletics. I think I have my answer. The Entertainment Sports Programming Network.

It is just another Top 25 poll. If you live by them, you'll die by them. At least they serve as a subjective measuring stick that stir-up conversation.

Americans are "Rankaholics". Many people don't process information if it's not prioritized for them, by someone with an agenda, usually.
Next we'll get a "Top Ten Reasons the Polls are Not To Be Trusted" thread.

(01-14-2014 03:35 PM)holyterror Wrote:  Americans are "Rankaholics". Many people don't process information if it's not prioritized for them, by someone with an agenda, usually.
Next we'll get a "Top Ten Reasons the Polls are Not To Be Trusted" thread.

good stuff, and so true