UL Women BB Team victimized by two (2) AP beat writers

[2330859]

UL women are #1 in the POWER 10 Ranking, yet remain #3 in the latest AP Poll, despite having received 5 first place votes. How can that be explained? Actually, it is pretty simple, when 2 of the 27 voters “intentionally vote the Cards down”. Those 2 voters some how decided that UL a was only the 8th and 9th best team in America.

As Jeff says, he only “wants to be #1 when the last Poll is taken”, but remembering that seeding has a lot to do with hosting tournament games and selection of opponents, it does have an effect on team position. Not sure as to whether the POWER 10 of the AP has the most influence, but if just those 2 beat writers have their way ….. UL would be outside the top 4 seeds.

 

[Bardman]

I, for one, do not believe they are #1. The offense is still clunky and post play is inconsistent. Lots of time to to improve these areas and lots of time to win games and solidify their ranking.

 

[KozmasAgain]

I am like CJW I want to be ranked number 1 at the end of the year but I am concerned about seeding and the poles have something to do with that. I agree we still have some areas to work on, if we are being honest about this we should be ranked no lower than #2. I don’t have a problem with South Carolina being ranked number 1 but how is Stanford ranked number 2 with 3 losses.

 

[Birdie King]

We are ranked #2 in USA TODAY Coaches Poll.

 

[WahooCard]

Devoe is so tough

We are ranked #2 in USA TODAY Coaches Poll.

Four points shy of being ranked #1. We’re starting to receive the recognition our team deserves. The world of WBB needs to watch out once our shots go in and through the net!

 

[Bardman]

As long as this team plays defense like they have and really hammer the boards…they will compete against any team on any day/night.

 

[Guardman]

I think it would be super to finish the rankings, before the NCAA Tourney seeding, at #2 or #3. I would really rather not be #1. But I for sure want to be on the top line.

 

[Sonja]

I still think the title goes through South Carolina but we are definitely a top three team. Let's just see how we fare in conference. We're one of six ACC schools in the AP Top 25.

--sonja--

 

[WildCard]

I am like CJW I want to be ranked number 1 at the end of the year but I am concerned about seeding and the poles have something to do with that. I agree we still have some areas to work on, if we are being honest about this we should be ranked no lower than #2. I don’t have a problem with South Carolina being ranked number 1 but how is Stanford ranked number 2 with 3 losses.

A 3 loss team over a 1 loss team???

I have not checked Stanford's schedule but that 1 loss UofL team has several very good wins.. Stanford is getting some love for being a good defending champ but, defending or not, I would have to say a top 5 ranking, maybe even top 10 rankin, is plenty right now for a 3 loss team.

I agree with G-man...what I really want is the Cards to be on the top line of the tournament bracket, SC has become the new UCONN so #2 or #3 spot looks good right now.

Peace

 

[KozmasAgain]

One thing to take note is when Missouri beat South Carolina Missouri was missing 5 players. They were also missing their leading scorer so South Carolina is vulnerable if you play the right style of game. If we play them down the road in the tournament we need to review the game tape for that game.

 

[2330859]

Bardman: it’s all relative. I am not saying UL is a better team right now than SC, Stanford or for that matter NCST or any others. What I am saying is this Poll is fraudulent based on 2 “outliers” that have no reasonable defense or explanation for their voting UL at 8 & 9 respectively.

Like it or not, the Polls matter, as they will influence seeding and that clearly will affect who and where these teams play.

Any reasonable fan would recognize the objectivity of the Power Poll that has UL earning #1 position.

 

[KozmasAgain]

I wonder who voted us 8 & 9 ?

 

[Bardman]

Bardman: it’s all relative. I am not saying UL is a better team right now than SC, Stanford or for that matter NCST or any others. What I am saying is this Poll is fraudulent based on 2 “outliers” that have no reasonable defense or explanation for their voting UL at 8 & 9 respectively.

Like it or not, the Polls matter, as they will influence seeding and that clearly will affect who and where these teams play.

Any reasonable fan would recognize the objectivity of the Power Poll that has UL earning #1 position.

I see that point. I think ‘right now’ the polls are meaningless. Come March…I would be much more concerned over suspicious votes.

 

[Sonja]

Despite all the rankings, polls, controversies about such and chatter...the players know how good they are and they, or the coaches, don't let their heads get turned by the chatter. It's why they play the games. Like Georgia Tech, Jeff Walz knew that one was going to be a defensive slugfest. Just look at the body of work that the two squads had put out prior to the contest indicated that.

In the ACC, you also run into familiarity. Over the course of time, a player might face players on another team 6-8 times during their stay at college. If you think thy don't pick anything up in that time, think again. If ypur group is slo, you run like heck against them. If they are a great three-point shooting team, force them into that option. if they can't shoot free throws well, send them to the line. You get sense of how that other coach is going to structure his attack and try to utilize his strengths.

I won't get in a hand wringing worry about what a couple of AP writers think and how they vote. I know my team, what they can do and how it'll translate ot against other teams. Most AP writers have no clue about stuff like that. All one has to do is look at who "probably" votes locally. My "guess" is that it "could" be possibly Rick Bozich, Cameron Teague and/or Gary Graves. Graves and Teague are very knowledgeable of the women's game and do good work. Bozich, well, you decide. You never see him at games.

(These are just my speculations on who "might be" voting locally. I have no definite proof. All I know is...it ain't me.)

--sonja--

-

 

[KozmasAgain]

Some good points Sonja I would like to know who and it would not surprise me if it was a sUcK fan like Bozich. It would interesting to know who slipped a Mickey though.

 

[Birdie King]

I know that Bozich thinks highly of Jeff Walz and the job he does.

 

[2330859]

That is most predictable BK; how could anyone feel or think otherwise of Jeff and the work he has done at UL? Yet with that said, where is his outrage or his writing an editorial questioning Jeff’s team being deprived of their #1 ranking, solely based on 2 AP voters placing the Lady Cards at #8 and #9 respectively?

Bozich thinks very highly of Pat Forde as well, something that neutralizes his favor of Jeff.

 

[2330859]

According to Card Chronicle, the two (2) who voted UL #8 and #9 respectively are both “beat writers” on the west coast. They were identified by name, and if I were not so lazy I would go back and identify them for you.

 

[Sonja]

According to Card Chronicle, the two (2) who voted UL #8 and #9 respectively are both “beat writers” on the west coast. They were identified by name, and if I were not so lazy I would go back and identify them for you.

Probably part of that Stanford/Vanderveer cult that thinks 10-3 Stanford is #2. Losses to Texas and South Florida? Sun must have got in their eyes.

--sonja--