"Body of Work" -- it's a term the Power 16 must now take into consideration each week. And no, we aren't changing the rules. We're simply incorporating a longer memory span.
What a team has done on the court still matters most. So, don't go saying we've changed the emphasis of these rankings once again. It's just as we enter 2002, teams have done more on the court each week, thus it's necessary to take into account past success or failures, and not just the most recent results.
Take this week for example.
What should we do with Missouri? How far should we drop the Tigers in the Power 16? Yes, they are no longer undefeated, but their first loss of the season Saturday night came to a team that:
a) wasn't in the Power 16, but ...
b) used to be in the rankings, and ...
c) lost to Missouri earlier this season, but ...
d) returned the favor by beating the Tigers by 18 in Columbia, Mo.
Or what about Arizona? Do we ignore the Wildcats' wins over Maryland, Florida and Illinois simply because they've lost their last two games to ranked foes Kansas and Michigan State?
And what do we do about Syracuse (losers of two straight without Coach B after running off nine straight wins to start the season)? Or where do Iowa, Michigan State or Stanford (no, we haven't forgotten the Cardinal) fit into the 16 slots below?
See, it's not so simple any more is it? But after careful consideration, the Power 16 continues this week. And, as always, the Power 16 welcomes your opinions.
Click here to voice your approval or disdain for the latest Power 16. Keep it clean, state a clear case for your team, include both a first and last name, city and state, and we'll post the best comments later in the week.
(Records as of Sunday, Dec. 16)
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No. 2 Seeds
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TEAM
 Florida
Record: 7-1
 Boston College
Record: 9-0
 Missouri
Record: 9-1
 Virginia
Record: 5-0
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COMMENT
Gators did put together three impressive wins, but rest of the year is cupcake city into SEC play.
Up Next: High Point (Tue.) and Big Easy (Sat.)
If any team has earned a trip to Hawaii, it's this group from Boston. Don't forget the sun block.
Up Next: Rainbow Classic: Thursday-Saturday
This is where that "Body of Work" argument comes into play. We already went over our thought process above.
Up Next: No time to dwell on Iowa; Illinois on Saturday.
Could have put Hawkeyes here, but why involve Cavaliers in what's sure to be a messy week of e-mails.
Up Next: Back to work Monday night (Charleston So.)
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No. 3 Seeds
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TEAM
 Kentucky
Record: 6-1
 Illinois
Record: 8-2
 Iowa
Record: 9-3
 Marquette
Record: 9-0
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COMMENT
How do you prepare for Duke? One way is by beating up on Tar Heels and then Division II neighbors.
Up Next: Rematch we envisioned 10 months ago in Philly.
Timing may not be great for Illini, who host same Missouri club that lost to Hawkeyes seven days earlier.
Up Next: Wounded Tigers in St. Louis (Sat.)
Welcome back. Who knew UNI Dome is that much tougher to play in than Hearnes Center.
Up Next: Hosting Kansas State on Saturday.
Left 'em right where they were before taking a week off. Don't expect layoff to hurt 'em this week.
Up Next: Hosting Arkansas-Pin Bluff (Wed.) |
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No. 4 Seeds
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TEAM
 Arizona
Record: 5-2
 Stanford
Record: 4-1
 Miami, Fla.
Record: 9-0
  Butler/
Ball State
Record: 15-2
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COMMENT
Now 4-2 against top 25 teams, which again leads us back to whole "Body of Work" discussion.
Up Next: Early start to Pac-10 season in Oregon.
Good to see Cardinal weren't just studying during midterms. Is Borchardt for real? 25, 14 and 5.
Up Next: Belmont in Stanford Invitational (Tue.)
'Canes passed first test last week. Since May, baseball, football & hoops teams a combined 37-0.
Up Next: Florida A&M (Tue.); Charlotte (Sat.)
The Power 16 simply isn't big enough for these two mid-majors any more. Good thing they play this week.
Up Next: Winner-take-all Wednesday night in Muncie
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Dropped Out: Saint Joseph's, Syracuse.
