Last Edited: 10/26/2012 1:53:34 PM by Tyler

Last Edited: 10/26/2012 1:37:52 PM by Suga Fries

Last Edited: 10/26/2012 4:17:13 PM by Andrew Ruck

Last Edited: 10/27/2012 9:08:34 AM by Ohio69

I disagree especially with the notion that "if we had won the MAC regular season title last year we would've been ranked."  Maybe I'm discouting the knowledge of those that vote, but I doubt most of them even remember this fact and if they did, didn't consider it. 

Bottom line, the MAC is too obscure and you simply forget.  Kind of surprised most voters just didn't take out the season ending Top 25 poll and use it as a basis point for teams they're not sure about.  But in the end, I think voters just forgot.  Name recognition and brand awareness are crucial for this type of stuff and until we start hanging out with better company, this is to be expected.

I think CG is pretty spot on. Only SD is the one without much hoops history. Creighton has been in my mind  since keeping a collection of COnverse basketball yearbooks beneath my bed as a youngster. I used to read every one cover to cover and memorize stats and players as a kid. Creigton has a long and rich history that is not lost on the press. These mags were,  of course, in my teens later moved and replaced by other mags which I rarely read the articles.and only caught a few key stats.
 
Murray State is a good example of sustained memory as they have been to the tourney more consistently than say TennTech or Tenn State. Even in the current meltdownand the loss of a key player they are considered in the poll.  Like it or not all summer long I have heard agents, coaches and writers ask why I thought JG got the job at IU (he he) based on his overall record. THe only reply I had was ."..he gets em ready when it counts". I think the coaching change has more to do with the ranking than does the return of players, especially when considering the overall record of these players throughout the seasons. Real Kudos to the Groce mindset of playing your best when it counts while working out the kinks, personality issues, execution errors and retention problems amongst other issues throughout thte season. I mean really, would anyone here be satisfied with winning MAC regular season championships and giving up NCAA appearances inthe tourney. WHo really remembers ( or cares) who won the MAC in 05, 10 and 12?

Until the reward for winning a regular season title is an NCAA bid, this is a great point. 

On the other hand, winning the regular season title, coupled with a solid Non-Conf schedule, and an at-large becomes a possibility. Otherwise, it generally is not.

Last Edited: 10/29/2012 12:47:44 PM by Ryan Carey