Top Ten Rankings and the MVC

by **Play Angry** » December 24th, 2013, 12:08 am

I thought it would be interesting to research when various MVC members last entered the top 10 in the AP Poll. The results are below:

Wichita State, 2013-14 (previously 2006-07)
Bradley, 1985-86 (previously 1967-68)
Indiana State, 1978-79 (previously 1977-78)
Drake, 1970-71 (previously 1963-64)
Loyola, 1965-66 (previously 1963-64)
Southern Illinois- N/A (closest: #11, 2006-07)
Northern Iowa- N/A (closest: #19, 2009-10)
Illinois State- N/A (closest: #13, 1977-78)
Missouri State- N/A (closest: #20, 1952-53...interestingly as a non-D1 participant)
Evansville- N/A (Never ranked, ever...wow)

Departed members of the modern era:

Tulsa, 1983-84 (previously, 1981-82)
Creighton, 2002-03 (previously, N/A)

Also of note- the most recent MVC team in the top 5 of the AP Poll was Wichita State in 1981-82. Second most recent was the Sycamores in 78-79.

**Sponsor**

by **AndShock** » December 24th, 2013, 3:57 am

So we have more Top 10s in the last 7 years than the rest of the Valley combined has in the last 33 years. That's cool.

by **LanceShock** » December 24th, 2013, 5:25 am

The last time didn't end up well for the Shockers though.

by **2livewu** » December 24th, 2013, 6:33 am

Why wouldn't the answer to when was WSU previously in the AP Top 10 be 2012-2013?

by **2livewu** » December 24th, 2013, 6:38 am

Play Angry wrote:Also of note- the most recent MVC team in the top 5 of the AP Poll was Wichita State in 1981-82. Second most recent was the Sycamores in 78-79.

Again, wouldn't the answer be 2012-2013?

by **Play Angry** » December 24th, 2013, 8:32 am

2livewu wrote:
Play Angry wrote:Also of note- the most recent MVC team in the top 5 of the AP Poll was Wichita State in 1981-82. Second most recent was the Sycamores in 78-79.

Again, wouldn't the answer be 2012-2013?

Nope, you're thinking of the Coaches Poll where WSU finished #4 in the final one. AP does not publish a poll after the NCAA tournament.

by **Snaggletooth** » December 24th, 2013, 9:23 am

LanceShock wrote:The last time didn't end up well for the Shockers though.

so what is your point? Or is there none?

by **shocktheheart** » December 24th, 2013, 10:06 am

ESPN guys weigh in...interesting thoughts on their schedule.

3. Wichita State is in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the first time since 2006. Product of a soft schedule or worthy move up the polls?

Katz: Worthy. Wichita State tried but couldn't land a better slate. The CBE Hall of Fame Classic wasn't bad, with Wichita State scoring a quality win over BYU. The Shockers pass the eye test. This team looks the part and is deeper, more able to score points and tougher on defense than the Final Four team from last season.

Brennan: Seeing as they've already beaten BYU, Saint Louis (on the road), Tennessee and Alabama (same), I don't know how anyone could accuse the Shockers of having a soft schedule. It's a solid schedule -- and Wichita State is really, really good.

Medcalf: Well, the Shockers have benefited from their schedule. But they're not alone in that. Plus, this squad might be better than the one that reached the Final Four but its schedule might not allow it to prove that until March. I think they're top-10 good.

by **Cdizzle** » December 24th, 2013, 10:41 am

shocktheheart wrote:ESPN guys weigh in...interesting thoughts on their schedule.

3. Wichita State is in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the first time since 2006. Product of a soft schedule or worthy move up the polls?

There will come a time to question WSU's SOS relative to their record. The fact that it is happening now is asinine. Mostly because it is not a question being asked of teams AHEAD of WSU in the Top 10 with WORSE SOS and/or losses.

SOS Away Neutral Loss
Arizona 97 2-0 2-0 0
Syracuse 25 1-0 3-0 0
Ohio St 86 1-0 1-0 0
Wisconsin 6 2-0 3-0 0
Mich. St 28 1-0 4-0 1
Louisville 145 1-0 1-1 1
Okie St. 50 1-0 4-1 1
Nova 61 1-0 3-0 0
Duke 85 0-0 2-2 2
WSU 53 3-0 3-0 0

If one wants to make a case against a team based on SOS, that is fine. If one wants to make a case against a team based on Win/Loss record, that is fine.

WSU is a deserving member of the Top 10 based on those arguments. Certainly so when you consider teams ranked ahead of them (see Louisville) and (see also: DUKE with no road games, a SOS 30 points lower, AND 2 losses).

Making a case based on jersey name and then putting it in the guise of a SOS argument is deceitful.

by **saluki762** » December 24th, 2013, 1:42 pm

Awesome another thread for shocker fans to jerk off to.