Local Poll Week 16: Hoyawn
All those jokes early in the season about the Hoyas going coast-to-coast as No. 1? Well, they've pretty much done it, at least for the regular season. A loss to ranked Louisville isn't going to change anything next week, so congrats to John Thompson III on accomplishing one of the season's most important preseason goals. During the nadir of the Esherick years, Georgetown fans could only dream of an accomplishment like this.
Does the Maryland-Virginia Tech debate wage on? Well, not really. Virginia Tech is the week's biggest (and virtually only) mover, jumping from fifth to third and finishing comfortably ahead of Maryland. It's the highest the Hokies have been all season.
But the budding American-Navy debate is basically the same deal; AU has a better record and a better resume, but two head-to-head losses against Navy. I put the Mids one slot ahead, on principle, since I said last week that Tech has to be ahead of the Terps. But I was virtually alone in favoring Navy. American has 181 points and is ranked seventh, while the Mids have 20 points and are unranked.
A few other things: after having at least six ranked teams for the first 14 weeks of the season, the Commonwealth of Virginia suffers another week with just FIVE teams in the Atlantic 11. After being ranked no lower than fifth for the first 14 weeks of the season, George Mason suffers a second straight week at sixth. Also, you have one more day to enter the Atlantic 11 March Challenge for a chance to win a bunch of really second-rate but lovable prizes.
The AP ranks 'em like this: Georgetown (11th), VCU (three votes). The coaches rank 'em like this: Georgetown (10th). No other votes.
The RPI's Top 7 would go like this: Georgetown (8th), VCU (43rd), Virginia Tech (56th), Maryland (64th), George Mason (75th), UMBC (92nd), American (101st). Navy is 199th and looking into hotel rates in Dayton.
Results and pith after the jump.
1. Georgetown (24-4) 500 (50)
--Saturday vs. Louisville.
--Has gotten bailed out more times than a leaky dinghy. (Matt Bonesteel)
2. VCU (23-6) 427
--Saturday, CAA quarterfinal vs. Hofstra-Towson winner.
--Inspired by his countryman Alex Ovechkin, Rams' Kirill Pischalnikov begins sending the following message to random hot girls on Facebook: "I occasionally start for the best team in the CAA." (Scott Allen)
3. Virginia Tech (17-11) 335
--Tuesday vs. Wake Forest, Sunday at Clemson.
--Sure they lost by 40 two weeks ago. But that was two weeks ago and this is the Bog Poll. (Chris Olson)
4. UMBC (21-8) 329
--Saturday, America East quarterfinal vs. Stony Brook-Maine winner.
--If you're going to go to Hartford and lose, make sure it's to U-Conn. (Paul Campbell)
5. Maryland (18-12) 260
--Sunday, at No. 10 Virginia.
--Pencil them in to your brackets! (Note: Pith written at about 8:45 on Sunday night). (Matt Bonesteel)
6. George Mason (19-9) 241
--Saturday, CAA quarterfinal vs. Northeastern-James Madison winner.
--The NIT Bubble portion of the Atlantic 11 begins here. (Markus Videnieks)
7. American (18-11) 181
--Wednesday, Patriot League quarterfinal vs. Holy Cross.
--Diane Rehm and David Aldridge spotted doing the Soulja Boy during Eagles' postgame celebration after clinching Patriot League title. (Bill Fitzgerald)
8. Morgan State (19-9) 167
--Thursday vs. Coppin State.
--After losing 39-36 to the Bears, Delaware State officials decide that "Turn Off The Shot Clock Night" isn't such a hot idea. (Glenn Arnold)
9. Old Dominion (17-14) 89
--Saturday, CAA quarterfinal vs. William & Mary-Georgia State winner.
--Fourth in the CAA, first in Norfolk. (Markus Videnieks)
10. Virginia (13-13) 59
--Tonight at Georgia Tech, Wednesday vs. Duke, Sunday vs. No. X Maryland.
-- I can't believe they're still in this poll. (Jason Anderson)
11. Loyola (18-13) 40
--Saturday, MAAC quarterfinal vs. Fairfield.
--[Only one attempt at pith was made, despite the fact that the Greyhounds are coming off a loss to Marist, which has a player named Spongy Benjamin. The guest editor is deeply disappointed in the voters.] (David Larimer)
Also receiving votes: Richmond 28, Navy 20, Hampton 15, George Washington 12, Norfolk State 5, VMI 2, Coppin State 1, Mount St. Mary's 1, GW women 1, Mary Washington women 1, Gus Johnson 1.
By Dan Steinberg |
March 3, 2008; 6:20 PM ET
| Category:
College Basketball
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Posted by: KC in DC | March 3, 2008 06:40 PM
Yeah, I felt a bit funny with that vote, and did so secure in the knowledge that enough other people would have AU higher that it wouldn't make a difference.
But I argued last week that Maryland, despite being 1/2 game ahead of Va. Tech in the standings, deserved to be below the Hokies because of the two head-to-head losses. I felt this was too similar a situation not to follow the same rule.
And AU won its finale at home while Navy lost on the road, so since both teams went 1-1 last week but Navy won head-to-head I gave them a slight edge.
See ya Wednesday.
Posted by: Dan Steinberg | March 3, 2008 06:51 PM
"Yeah, I felt a bit funny with that vote, and did so secure in the knowledge that enough other people would have AU higher that it wouldn't make a difference."
Has Feinstein taken over the Bog?
Dan, I think you need to start posting how YOU vote. I will if you will (not that anyone cares what I have to say...).
Posted by: Reader Glenn | March 3, 2008 07:46 PM
Sure, I'm game.
The correct answer: Georgetown, VCU, Virginia Tech, UMBC, Morgan State, George Mason, Maryland, Old Dominion, Navy, American.
First two out: Loyola, Richmond.
Posted by: Dan Steinberg | March 3, 2008 07:52 PM
C'mon Big Stein, Navy played Longwood ... twice. The Mids wisely dropped Johns Hopkins from the schedule though. Tech and Maryland were much closer.
Posted by: Bill Fitzgerald | March 3, 2008 09:08 PM
Dan, does this meaning we will have the THIRD Sportsbogist sighting at Bender on Wednesday! What's next a visit from Digger Phelps?
Posted by: Go AU! | March 3, 2008 10:27 PM
Virginia finally beats Tech
Since most of the ACC still doesn't like to acknowledge that there are two Techs, Virginia's win tonight was huge.
Posted by: sitruc | March 3, 2008 10:29 PM
Sorry David, I only give pith to the teams I give votes to. Loyola is sitting at 11 on my board. Thanks for honoring my continued reluctance to vote for Virginia, who I will drop like a sack of bricks the first chance they give me.
Posted by: Jason Anderson | March 3, 2008 11:41 PM
Georgetown, VCU, UMBC, VT, Morgan St, Mason, Maryland, American, Hampton, Loyola, ODU (followed by Richmond and Navy).
Posted by: Reader Glenn | March 4, 2008 07:56 AM
Georgetwon, VCU, VT, UMBC, Morgan, AU, Maryland, Mason, ODU, Loyola (Navy, then Richmond)
Who is voting for Virginia?
Posted by: DC Centurion's Shield | March 4, 2008 09:25 AM
laugh all you want about virginia, but they've been playing well since emo-bangs lars has been healthy and back in the lineup. I don't think this is a team that either va tek or umd wants to see in the acc tourney.
Posted by: jrp | March 4, 2008 09:43 AM
Maybe you'll be more gentle to me this week, as in my despair from the Clemson game I lost my fortitude and let the great unwashed commenters affect my voting.
Georgetown, VCU, VT, MD, UMBC, Mason, Morgan St., ODU, AU, UVA.
Posted by: Markus V. | March 4, 2008 10:04 AM
If Coppin St. were in this poll, a couple of teams would have some problems with their eight-game winning streak.
West Baltimore collectively hangs its head.
Posted by: ScottVanPeltStyle.com | March 4, 2008 10:12 AM
how great is it that American won the Patriot league but still draws Holy Cross in the 1st round. it could be a painful night at Bender Arena.
Gtown, VCU, VaTech, Maryland, UMBC, Morgan St, Mason, American, Richmond, Hampton.
Posted by: jamie | March 4, 2008 11:32 AM
Both Steinberg and Reader Glenn rank Mason ahead of Maryland. Now, while this ranking may be questionable, I freakin' LOVE you two!
I desperately want both Will Thomas and Folarin Campbell to have one last shot at the Big Dance; they deserve it. Besides, it would give the national sports media another chance to overanalyze Gunston and wonder "WTF?!?"
See you in Richmond this weekend!
GO, MASON!
Posted by: Mason Patrick | March 4, 2008 01:57 PM
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You did WHAT now?
Look at the standings, Dan. AU is in first. Navy is in second.
You might have an argument if Navy didn't get brushed off by Colgate twice.
Generally when you're one hundred slots ahead of your opponent in the RPI, losing to the latter team even twice is probably just indicative of a bad match-up rather than a sign that the other team is all-around superior.