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| Thursday, December 5 Illini timing couldn't be better; Heels' couldn't be worse ESPN.com |
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After uncovering the ESPN.com supercomputers from the deluge of Power 16 email, we've skimmed off the best responses for your enjoyment and edification. "Apparently you were in way too much of a hurry to include the Tar Heels in your "Power 16". The Illini sent them whimpering back to NC along with you "experts" back to your lonely cubicles. Every one is talking about the freshman for NC and Indiana and everyone else. Go ahead, talk about them, don't even mention the freshman class that Illinois has (ne of the best in the nation this year) and they will come in and whip on your Power 16 teams. See you in March.
"Where is UK in your Power 16? Every year I watch the college basketball analysts give all the praise and rankings to the teams who play the cupcake schedules. Year in and year out Kentucky plays one of the toughest schedules in the country, but over the past few years we never seem to get any R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Using your Power 16 list I have put together my top 5 cupcake schedule list. I don't think these teams would ever play a ranked team if they weren't forced to by their conference schedule or a tournament."
1. Marquette- 0 future games with ranked teams on schedule cupcake examples: Coppin State, Texas San Antonio, E. Illinois. There are two teams in the country that always deserve to be on any Power 16 ranking. The first is Kentucky who this year has already played 2 games against currently ranked teams and has 7 more on the schedule. They are 3-1 and won't even have a complete team until sometime in January. The other as much as I hate to admit it is Duke. They are never lacking respect. Nice to see everyone jump on the UNC bandwagon. Crushed by 27. Nice pick. When is the last time UK was beaten by 27? It will be put up or shut up time this weekend."
"You best put the Illini into this little setup, if they can perform well against Arkansas this Saturday. Even if they lose, with Temple, Memphis and Missouri later this month they should have ample opportunity to show what they are made of. Just don't be too quick to give praise this early in the season- UNC might be good, but like Illinois and Indiana, their freshman have to show that they are in it for the whole season, not just a flash of brilliance when there are no expectations. "
"What a bunch of suckers. Everybody (i.e. sports media) was just salivating when UNC won two games over ranked teams. All of a sudden they pop up in the rankings way too high. Another example of bias. When a lesser known team scores big upsets, do they jump in almost as a top 10 team? NO! They have to crawl to the top. Well UNC showed their true colors by getting wacked by Illinois by 27 points."
"It was great to see the Tar Heels back in the Power 16 even if it was only for a week. After the thrashing Illinois put on Billy's Kids, I'm looking forward to Lunardi and Katz including Illinois in their rankings." "Couldn't get North Carolina on the Power 16 fast enough one week ... can't get them off fast enough the next."
"Marquette? No way. They haven't played anyone really and they've already lost. To many other great teams out there playing really well that should be in the top 16. Have to put Illinois in next week. True, they started out with a weak scheduled of Pine Bluff, Lehigh, and Western, but they should their true might against UNC."
"Props to ESPN for realizing how tough the Hoosiers are, but what's up with Dickie V? Not only did he sleep Bracey Wright by not including him as one of his diaper dandies from the start, but he still has IU at No. 10. As he often does, I see him shifting his loyalties as the Hoosier victories stack up."
"I am nothing short of amazed at your omission of Stanford from the Power 16. Stanford has bested two of the teams that did make this ranking and yet you still overlook them. Granted, Stanford lost to UNC but then again, who has not? ESPN's east coast bias is alive and well."
"I can't believe you reward Pitt with a No. 1 seed. They don't play a ranked team till march? IU deserves it."
"Although I do not like it, I think your decision to drop Kansas to a No. 4 seed was the right choice. But keep in mind, the last time Kansas started a season 2-2 was 1988 (Danny and the Miracles). The bench needs time to develop, and a schedule riddled with top 25 teams will prepare Niang, Graves, Nash, Lee and Hawkins for the tournament. Rome was not built in a day, and neither are championship teams. Let's see how they do over the next two weeks (Oregon, Tulsa, UCLA) -- I sure wouldn't want to play a pissed off Jayhawk team."
"It's about time for Tulsa to get some recognition! If they continue to get some media attention, they might actually get a decent NCAA seeding this year. In addition, they might get some scheduling help. This team is underrated every year and yet proves themselves in March. The current seniors are members of the second winningest team (behind Duke) over the past three seasons (despite 3 different coaches). Maybe this year, we'll get a chance to see how they do in the tournament with a decent seeding! They have the talent to make the Final Four if they get a good seed. Now let's see if they live to their potential."
"I agree with Andy Katz that Alabama should be ranked as high as they are. Everybody knows that Arizona will be the team to beat and I believe the only two teams playing well enough to beat them are Alabama and Indiana. However, Indiana needs better production from Hornsby and more points and leadership from Leach and Newton in the paint to make them eligible for another final four run."
"Congratulations to the 'experts' at ESPN.com on the outstanding choice of Oklahoma as the No. 1 team. It may have been the shortest stay at the top ever. Arizona is the best team in the country and will continue to prove it. "
"I hope your radar is out for Wake Forest. They are severely underrated. Wake's convincing performance against a solid Wisconsin team in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on the road is a testament to their talent. Josh Howard has clearly established himself as the best player in the ACC."
"Thank you ESPN. Bama deserves this! It is amazing that this team did as good as it did last year, and has the returning players that it has, yet no one is realizing the possibility of this team making it all the way. I was shocked to see the EXPERT'S PICKS here on ESPN. No one had Alabama picked to be national champs, not even a runner up. Only 2 of 14 EXPERTS picked them to go to the Final Four. Larry Conley did pick Alabama's Erwin Dudley as player of the year. Gottfried has a great group of talented players, led by Erwin Dudley, Mo Williams, Antoin Pettaway, Kenny Walker, and Ernest Shelton. They are good. Dudley and Williams is the dynamic duo of the year. This team has people believing in T-Town. Roll Tide! Alabama National Champs!"
"Three words, Mizzou, Mizzou, Mizzou. Where's the love for the Tigers guys? They're only averaging a 29-point margin of victory so far, and they have both the most best athlete and best big man in Rickey Paulding and Aurthur Johnson. Add in Rickey Clements, who has been fantastic so far, and Jimmy McKinney who is contributing despite a broken nose you have to give them some love. Maybe they'll get something after waxing USC this Saturday. Keep your eye on this young team, just you wait. Final Four, baby!"
"Arizona should be ranked No 1 and No. 2. They are deep enough to have their second string ranked No 2. In the first three games including ranked W. Kentucky the cruised with their stars taking frequent breaks. The depth is real."
"Charleston should be ranked higher. They beat Wyoming, Oklahoma State and Villanova, who knocked off Michigan State, who was ranked 10th at the time. Why is Villanova ranked ahead of Charleston in the ESPN/USA Today poll? I guess Charleston is just gonna have to upset Vandy and the first team that they play in the Big Dance when March rolls around."
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