That's the problem w pre-season rankings. Everyone has trouble moving past last year and really looking at this year's teams. Navy for instance. Because they made the final 4 they are ranked top ten. They had a great run last year. They are not top ten this year. 9-7 over a very mediocre Ohio State team? Same with Penn State. Yup, they've made two straight final 4's. This year, they aren't as good and lose right out of the gate to Towson. They will not make the final four this year. Their ranking is too high.
Anyone want to bet that Notre Dame is not the 15 best (preseason ranking) team in the country? They looked pretty bad yesterday against BC, who is also ranked too high. Unless they get Kent back (who might redshirt), they are going nowhere.
Final 4: Maryland Northwestern SB Syracuse
Book it.
I guess you are the only one who can rank teams in the preseason.
Not surprised at upsets. What is surprising is the fact that more programs can not compete with the top teams on a more consistent basis.
ND is one of 10 teams that has finished the season ranked in the Top 20 in each of the past six years. Some believe they consistently under achieve but they are always a Top 20 team.
Navy, much like Stony Brook has been doing very well in recent years. Navy is 81 - 21 over the past five seasons averaging 4 losses per year. They have not played the most difficult schedule but they proved last year that they can compete.
Penn State has not only gone to the Final Four the past two seasons they are also one of the Top 10 programs who have finished in the Top 20 in each of the past six years.
Boston College was in the Final Four last year and they have finished the season ranked in the Top 20 in five of the past six seasons.
There are a lot of great schools out there that have not been able to compete with the top programs on a consistent basis.
Why is Michigan not able to compete? Why has Georgetown not been better? Why are Penn & Princeton the only Ivy's that compete? What has happened to Loyola? Why can't Villanova be more Competitive? What about William and Mary? Has Hopkins fallen off?
Stony Brook has found a way to bring in some great players, Navy obviously brought in some very good players. USC without question had been successful in bringing in some excellent players.
Is it just that the top players want to go to the top programs?
Can some coaches not identify talent?
Are the coaches at the top programs simply better at everything?
Does anyone besides Stony Brook have a chance at being a newcomer to The Final Four?
Oh yeah, and considering Cornell won the Ivy you might want to brush up a little. GO BIG RED!
