| Top
25 rankings continue to snub Ags
By Tim Olsen
January 28, 2009 | For the past few weeks the USU men's
basketball team has been receiving votes to be in the
Top 25. However, despite doing nothing but winning the
Aggies are being snubbed.
There is no other explanation for the total lack of
recognition that USU is receiving. At 19-1, the Aggies
are one win away from matching the best start in school
history, and matching a USU team that entered the rankings
when it was 17-1.
Pessimists will point to the Aggies' weak strength
of schedule as the reason for their exemption from the
national rankings, but a closer look at the rankings
will show that even that argument doesn't hold water.
Current mid-major darling St. Mary's has been in the
Top 25 for a couple of weeks, and currently sits at
No. 18 in the Coaches poll, and No. 22 in the AP poll.
The Gaels boast a record of 18-1 (the RPI rankings only
recognize the Gaels' record as 16-1) and hold the nation's
longest winning streak at 15 games.
As of today these West Coast Conference dolls have
an RPI ranking of 53 and strength of schedule (SOS)
of 284.
Both numbers fall short when matched up with the Aggies.
Tied for the best record in the country and carrying
the nation's second-longest winning streak (14 games)
the Ags have an RPI ranking of 45 and an SOS of 236
well ahead of St. Mary's.
Other notable teams that find themselves in the rankings
despite numbers that fall short of the Aggies include
St. Mary's conference foe Gonzaga, and powerhouse Notre
Dame.
The 'Zags and Fighting Irish both have the Aggies
beat when it comes to strength of schedule, but with
four losses and seven losses, respectively, these teams
find themselves behind USU in the RPI rankings.
Gonzaga, which is ranked No. 20 in the AP poll and
No. 25 in the Coaches poll, has an RPI of 50, while
Notre Dame, ranked No. 22 in the Coaches poll, has an
RPI of 72, which is sandwiched between such juggernauts
as Stephen F. Austin and Northern Iowa.
The only explanation for this kind of snubbing is
a blatant disrespect for the Aggies, and the talent
level of head coach Stew Morrill and his team. With
a home game Thursday against former mid-major darling
Nevada, the Aggies have a good chance to match the school
record and extend their win streak.
If that keeps happening, eventually, someone will
notice.
MS
MS |
