In basketball, at least, there are a lot of games, and a long season, to sort everything out. And of course, there’s a real playoff, so we don’t have to wait to hear what the computers spit out.
In the meantime, though, the voters should give the midmajors a little more love …
(Record through Monday) Points -- Last week's rank (first-place votes)
1. Tennessee (6-0) 774 -- 1 (30)
The Volunteers made it exciting against North Carolina, but in the end, there was just too much composure and talent. Old Dominion is next, but at home. If that game were in Norfolk, it might have been a little more interesting.
2. Connecticut (6-0) 744 -- 2 (1)
You know, BYU isn’t that bad. And the final was 80-34. Virginia’s a good team, with a win over Texas, but the Huskies get them at home. Again, if it were on the road, maybe … this way, no go.
3. Rutgers (5-1) 672 – 6
That electric comeback against Maryland shows the value of defense, and but for that controversial first-game loss to Stanford, the Scarlet Knights would be in the conversation for the top spot. A tough week looms, however: at Duke, and gritty Cal in Piscataway.
4. North Carolina (9-1) 664 – 6
There is justice. If you lose to a team more highly ranked, then you shouldn’t be punished. The Tar Heels’ only loss was to number one Tennessee (and if only that freshman sharpshooter had made those free throws …), but it would be nice if teams tougher than Wofford were on the schedule.
5. Stanford (7-1) 652 – 5
The Cardinal are taking finals now, but it seems to me that a road win over a team with the same record would mean a higher ranking for the winner – but the win over Maryland does count for a lot. Especially since Stanford’s only loss was by 12 to UConn, by far the closest anyone has come to the Huskies.
3. Maryland (10-1) 645 -- 3
Notice those 11 games. Five against teams in the top 20. That, as much as anything, might explain the second-half meltdown against Rutgers. The Terrapins are awfully good, though they have three more games in the next six days, and might wind up dropping another (Temple maybe?).
7. LSU (6-2) 578 – 7
The Tigers have lost twice, both times on the road, and are now on a break. They won’t be tested again until their trip to Middle Tennessee State at month’s end.
8. Georgia (8-0) 575 – 8
Those wins over USC, Oakland (which beat Florida State) and handled Georgia Tech – none will impress the casual fan, but that’s a tough trio. Davidson is next, however, before a break, and the Wildcats aren’t nearly as dangerous.
9. Oklahoma (4-2) 538 – 9
Illinois might be a good test on the road, but the Paris twins are getting it in gear. There have been more than few observers, myself included, who felt Ashley was a lot better than people thought. Now they see why.
10. Baylor (6-0) 508 – 11
Generally, I like to give a lot of credit to unbeaten teams, but Kim Mulkey has only played one quality opponent so far this season, and needed a second-half comeback against Cal, at home, to avoid that first loss. The trip to Stanford will reveal a lot more.
11. Texas A&M (6-1) 434 – 12
The Aggies are picking up the pace. Florida State at home Thursday; Auburn at home Dec. 15. Win those, and the loss to Wake Forest will fade into the distance.
12. California (7-1) 432 – 13
A nice win over Vanderbilt should have vaulted the Bears past Texas A&M, since Cal lost only to ranked Baylor, and the Aggies lost to unranked Wake Forest. It’s hard to see the Bears beating Rutgers in New Jersey Monday, but hopefully the voters will pay attention to who Cal played rather than just the result.
13. West Virginia (7-1) 366 – 16
At least the loss was a good one (Tennessee). The wins? Not so much. The most impressive, according to the early and admittedly inaccurate RPI, was Cornell. Cornell? Next best: St. Francis of Pennsylvania. The game at Oakland Dec. 17 is the ‘toughest’ before 2008.
14. Auburn (8-0) 327 – 20
The Tigers have won at Ohio State and Arizona State, and at Oakland, which has already played three BCS schools. After romping past Colgate at home, they’ll travel to Texas A&M. Maybe a win there will wake people up to what’s going on in War Eagle country.
15. Duke (5-3) 289 – 10
All is not well in Durham. A team with seven McDonald’s All-Americans, and a program that has won 30 games in each of the past seven seasons shouldn’t be 5-3. Needless to say, folks are very unhappy with new coach Joanne P. McCallie, who has to be very thankful for that long-term contract.
16. DePaul (6-0) 251 – 21
Bet you didn’t know the Blue Demons were unbeaten. Of course, the schedule isn’t dazzling, but beating Florida State, even at home, should count for something. But there aren’t any serious tests until a tournament test against Texas Dec. 28, so expect the ranking to rise, deserved or not.
17. Vanderbilt (7-2) 246 – 18
The Commodores probably don’t deserve this ranking, but Melanie Balcomb has just one senior and two juniors on the roster. Vandy may not attain dandy this year, but watch out down the road.
18. Ohio State (6-2) 211 – 17
After losing back-to-back games to Auburn and Maryland, the Buckeyes handled Mississippi, and can go on a two-week break with something positive to build on. And in the placid Big Ten, that might be enough for first place.
19. Arizona State (4-3) 204 – 15
Yes, those are three losses, but they are to North Carolina, Oklahoma and Auburn – nothing to be ashamed of. But the Sun Devils need a quality win or two to stay in the top 20, and Texas Tech Dec. 13 is the next opportunity.
20. Notre Dame (6-1) 176 – 23
The opponents may not look that strong, but the Irish have played a solid schedule, and with the only loss to Maryland, deserve a higher ranking. Beating Bowling Green at Bowling Green would be another underhyped achievement, but if Notre Dame pulls it off, watch out. This team could be pretty good.
21. George Washington (6-3) 141 – 14
Historically, there’s been no bigger booster of GW than me, but I’m afraid I’ve left the bandwagon after the loss to dismal UNLV, which is 2-5. Oh, and James Madison, which thumped the Colonials by 25, is unbeaten. How can George Washington possibly be ranked higher than an unbeaten team that beat the Colonials by 25?
22. Wyoming (6-0) 139 – 24
The Cowboys deserve this ranking, but the best win is over 3-3 Wisconsin, by one, in overtime. And the schedule stays tame until Mountain West play begins (two non-Division I opponents), though Colorado will be a test.
23. Michigan State (6-2) 91 -- 19
OK, Old Dominion is 6-2, with losses to Connecticut and Stanford. Michigan State is 6-2 with losses to LSU and … wait for it … Old Dominion. So why, voters, is Michigan State ranked and Old Dominion on the outside looking in?
24. North Carolina State (8-1) 64 – NR
I hate to keep beating this deceased horse, but N.C. State lost to St. John’s, which is also 5-1. I guess the win at Temple is worth something, but a head-to-head loss is a head-to-head loss. Xavier and East Carolina are next, so look for the Wolfpack to move up.
25. Texas (6-2) 64 – 25
Gee, no one was impressed with that 50-point win over Sam Houston State. What a surprise. TAMU-CC, whatever that might be, is next, though after a break, the ‘Horns travel to Arizona State for a chance to move up the ladder.
Dropped out: 22. Florida State
Oakland’s not that bad, and the Seminoles have played six road games. They’ve got another one coming, against Texas A&M, and a win there will put them back in the top 25, where they most likely belong.
Others receiving votes: Old Dominion 48; Oklahoma State 42; Florida State 37; Penn State 25; Marist 20; James Madison 19; Pittsburgh 13; Iowa State 11; Georgia Tech 10; Marquette 10; Texas Tech 10; Utah 8; Western Kentucky 8; Arkansas 5; Wake Forest 5; Hartford 4; Minnesota 4; Temple 2; Louisville 1..
Old Dominion I understand, but I don’t get why the voters don’t like James Madison. Sure, Oklahoma State is unbeaten, but when the signature win is UC Riverside, it’s hard to be impressed. Marist is probably a better candidate, with a loss only to Ohio State and wins over Utah and Nebraska. But in the long run, the cream will rise.
The USA TODAY/ESPN Board of Coaches is made up of 31 head coaches at Division I institutions. All are members of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. The board for the 2007-08 season: Agnus Berenato, Pittsburgh; Pam Borton, Minnesota; Brian Boyer, Arkansas State; Beth Burns, San Diego State; Debra Clark, Florida A&M; Beth Couture, Butler; Leslie Crane, Western Illinois; Dana Eikenberg, Southern Illinois; Tricia Fabbri, Quinnipiac; Sharon Fanning, Mississippi State; Brian Giorgis, Marist; Julie Goodenough, Charleston Southern; Kellie Harper, Western Carolina; Mary Hegarty, Long Beach State; Nate Kilbert, Mississippi Valley State; Melissa McFerrin, American; Kevin McGuff, Xavier; Tina Martin, Delaware; Curt Miller, Bowling Green; Dan Muscatell, Sacramento State; Paul Nixon, Columbia; Rick Reeves, Gardner-Webb; Lee Ann Riley, Stephen F. Austin; Jennifer Rizzotti, Hartford; Rhonda Rompola, Southern Methodist; Julie Rousseau, Pepperdine; Brady Sallee, Eastern Illinois; Cindy Stein, Missouri; LaVonda Wagner, Oregon State; Adrian Wiggins, Fresno State; Kay Yow, North Carolina State.
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