At least the writers got it correct.
The AP poll didn't have UConn in the Top 25, but somehow the USA Today/Coaches poll kept Jim Calhoun’s Huskies in at No. 21.
Let's check out UConn's résumé.
Best wins: It's a toss-up between home victories against Seton Hall, William & Mary and Notre Dame. None of those three teams are legitimate Top 25 clubs, and none are sure-fire NCAA tournament teams.
Losses: There's no shame in losing against Kentucky and Duke in Madison Square Garden. Calhoun & Co. have also come up short at home against Pittsburgh and three times on the road – to Georgetown, Cincinnati and most recently, Michigan.
There's just no way to justify keeping the Huskies in the Top 25 right now. Not until they get a legitimate win against a Top 25 club.
My biggest issues:
- Purdue should still be in the Top 10 despite losing three straight. The Boilermakers have beaten Tennessee on a neutral court and knocked off West Virginia at home, and its losses are against legitimate Top 25 teams (or very close to it): at Wisconsin, home against Ohio State and at Northwestern.
- BYU is a bit higher than it should be. The Cougars are ranked 14th in the AP and 13th in the coaches poll. I'm a huge Jimmer Fredette guy, but BYU – like UConn – has yet to beat a true Top 25 team. However, the Cougars do have some decent wins: against Arizona and Arizona State, UNLV and at UTEP. But hardly the résumé of a top 15 club.
- I'm not quite ready to put Northern Iowa in the poll – even though Ben Jacobson's team is 16-1 overall. The Missouri Valley favorite lost to DePaul on a neutral court and hasn't really beaten anyone of major significance. Northern Iowa has knocked off Creighton, Boston College, Iowa State, Iowa and Siena. The Saints are the only one in that group that has any shot of getting to the NCAA tournament.
- Northwestern should be getting more votes. Bill Carmody's team has beaten Purdue, won at Michigan and N.C. State, defeated Notre Dame, Iowa State and Stanford. To me, that's a more impressive résumé than Northern Iowa – especially due to the win against Purdue.
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im ganna play waht we call devils advocate....
kellyscotti love the way new head coach at oregon chip kelly looks at polls??? sort of a thumbs down....and i agree why??? heres the skinny...you are #1 in any poll ok then you lose.....are you still going to be #1????? i doubt it....also is a poll going to win you a title???? no its like ive said" ON PAPER, you are the best team in the conference but we dont play games on paper....or am i missing something here????
2:58 PM