|
|
|
Friday, January 19, 2001
More than a few to consider
ESPN.com
|
After uncovering the ESPN.com supercomputers from the deluge of Cinderella Watch email, we've skimmed off the best responses for your enjoyment and edification.
|
Last week's results
|
|  |
The most vocal complaints came on behalf of Fresno State fans who never thought the Bulldogs belonged the Watch to begin with. We may have sold FSU short, but promoted the Dogs pretty quick. Minnesota also let us know their Gophers are exceeding everyone's expectations, while the state of Georgia has good reason to trumpet the exploits of the Panthers and Yellow Jackets.
Oh, and fans of familiar Cinderellas of the past also voiced their disdain for not being mentioned. All we can say is, 'Hey, its a new season.' And don't forget -- we have no way of influencing the ESPN/USA Today Top 25. That's the coaches' poll, and ESPN doesn't have anything to do with the actual votes.
"Pay close attention to the Ole Miss Rebels in the SEC. Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC West in almost every magazine's preseason predictions. Ole Miss has knocked off No. 13 Oklahoma and No. 13 USC so far this year and put an end to their long SEC road game losing streak. They are on their way to their forth trip in the last five years to the Big Dance. And with the right seed in the bracket, should be a Sweet 16 team or better. They are very young and exciting to watch."
"My Cinderella is already on the list -- Fresno State! I don't think they'll be there long, though. If and when they beat TCU and SMU this week, they should be promoted and in the Top 25. You didn't even list all their Marquee wins -- they destroyed both Toledo and Georgia by more than 15 points. Want another Cinderella? Look no further than the WAC, where UTEP, SMU, and TCU all deserve consideration. Watch out for the Miners!"
Shaun Lopez,
Cairo, Egypt
"Fresno State a Cinderella? You need to give the Bulldogs the promotion they deserve. The Bulldogs have already faced two of your other Cinderellas and beaten both (Toledo and San Diego State) easily by double digits. With a 19-point road win over N.C. State, 14-point road win at Tulsa, 13-point road victory at Santa Clara, and home wins over Georgia (19 points), UAB (20 points) and Louisiana-Lafayette (18 points) to name just a few, the Bulldogs are the best unranked team in the country. Give Fresno State the love it deserves!"
John Jebian,
San Francisco
Editor's Note: No argument here, John.
"Hey, know they are from a big conference, but what about the Gophers. They are off to their best start since their Final Four run. Oh wait, that never happened did it? Point is, this team has won 13 games, with a big one over Wisconsin, and they showed they could hang with Illinois, at least for a half. Both of their losses have come against top-15 teams, and despite a few easy games in the non-conference schedule, they have an RPI at this point of 17, one below a team you have here, and one point above another team, and have a SOS of 43. There are 10 ranked teams with a SOS lower than the Gophers. Keep in mind they are doing all of this with a team that is really just a rag-tag bunch that most other schools didn't want. They were so desperate for players, they held open tryouts before the season started, just so they could even have enough players to practice against."
Sean Hennessy
Minneapolis, Min.
"One team that deserves inclusion as a Cinderella is Minnesota. Even though they play in a major conference (but so does BC and they're on the list), the Gophers have risen from complete devastation. They've won a ton of close games with fourth quarter comebacks. Beating Wisconsin proves they could take down a contender if they sneak into the NCAA field."
Aaron Mills Scott
Madison, Wis.
"I would definitely say that BC is THE Cinderella team. No one even thought they would be over .500 this year. Now people are saying NCAAs. Look out for them in the tournament."
Jon Hillman,
Newton, Mass.
"Typical. Nowhere is Xavier mentioned. That's OK. When we get to the Dance and start knocking off people then you guys will reconsider. How can Toledo be on your list and not Xavier? Xavier beat Toledo. Xavier is at the top of the A-10. My Cinderella votes go to the A-10: Xavier and St. Joe's."
"One team that I think you should list as a Cinderella is the Musketeers of Xavier. They have been on fire as of late, starting with their win over Cincinnati in December. They have won seven straight in impressive fashion. I think they deserve more pub and recognition. I definitely think they are worthy as a Cinderella team."
"Utah State is the best of the Cinderella schools you guys listed. Watch out for my man Shawn Daniels in the post baby and 'Downtown Tony Brown'!"
"For two years now I've seen South Florida as a possible Cinderella. They play with a ton of athleticism, but are also capable of playing with great patience as they demonstrated last year with a victory over gritty and Final Four bound Wisconsin. The fewer votes they receive the fairer Cinderella they become."
"Baylor. NOT! I watched Dave Bliss pull this 10-0 start stuff too many times in Albuquerque, N.M. with the UNM Lobos. Baylor is not for real! The only thing for real is the fact that Baylor has played a bunch of powder puffs to get to where they are now."
John Nichols,
Albuquerque, N.M.
"Fresno State, Cinderella? I don't think so. There the big bad wolf! There will be more than stepping on toes. You better look out for your legs arms and throat. The media might be able to keep them out of the polls but not the win column. You've been warned. See you in March."
Randy Sligar,
Visalia, Calif.
"What about Richmond? The Spiders are certainly one of the country's top mid-major programs. With marquee wins over George Washington and Mississippi State, the Richmond Spiders certainly should receive consideration as a possible Cinderella. Since they are bolting for the A-10 next year, they will probably have to win their remaining games for an at-large entry. I think that this is a good possibility as senior swingman Kinte Smith returns from an ankle injury."
Kenny Strickler,
Richmond, Va.
"You can't forget about the number one team in Georgia. I'm not talking about UGA or Georgia Tech. It's the panthers of Georgia State. With quality wins over UAB, Hawaii, Cal-State Northridge, as well as Georgia, Lefty Driesell has got his team rolling. With a legitimate pro prospect in Shenard Long. I expect them to turn some heads."
Josh Roberson,
Atlanta, Ga.
"For the love of God! How can you keep leaving teams from the MVC out of your Cinderella Watch? Now, I know this year the conference might not be as good as past years from top to bottom, but the top looks pretty good. What about Creighton with an RPI of 26? Oh, I guess they are too good to be a Cinderella. What about Indiana State? They beat IU who just beat Michigan State. Come on, give the MVC the respect it deserves!"
Jonathon
Evansville, Ind.
"Little Austin Peay is still getting no respect. That was SEMO they blasted on Saturday, even if it's a SEMO in a transition year. They're 9-3, RPI 45. They deserve a chance to be counted. BTW, I have absolutely no idea why people are voting South Florida off the list so quickly. Can someone explain that one? Seriously, I'd just love to see Baylor try to stay on the court with them."
Editor's Note: Good question, Ken. The Bulls certainly looked pretty solid beating Charlotte on the road last week. Maybe they're too good?"
"Watch out for the Bonnies even though they've been struggling. They've got solid wins vs. Fresno, Charlotte, and Toledo; two of which are on the list."
"Every year Kent is among the top teams outside the top 25. Two years ago they made the tourney and last year were snubbed out even though they had an RPI of 35. Kent will deserve it by the end of the year."
"Why have the St. Joesph's Hawks gotten no respect? Jameer Nelson is as good a freshman as any in the country and the Hawks are out to an 11-3 start (2-0) A-10. Their only three losses have come to Vandy (at the buzzer), Villanova and DePaul (at DePaul) and have all come by less than five points. They are as good as anyone in the A-10. They deserve some consideration and respect."
Greg Coughlin
Philadelphia, Pa.
"My Cinderella would be Cal State Northridge. They beat UCLA, at the time ranked in the top 15, they lost by one to UNLV, and had Southern Cal on the ropes. They have a very talented team and could compete with anyone in the nation."
Thomas Belt
Needles, Calif.
"The ACC is back and what about those Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets? Knocking off two ACC elite teams in the same week, Wake Forest and Virginia, 8-5 entering two dormid ACC games and escape with a 10-5 record. A 7-9 record in the ACC will get a team in the Dance and Georgia Tech will be there."
Matthew Lofton,
Tiffin, Ohio
"A team to watch in the coming weeks is the 10-2 Illinois State Redbirds. They have a weak schedule, but a very strong team. Tarise Bryson may be the best clutch performer in the country, and he has a supporting cast this year, so anything is possible when the pressure of single elimination hits."
Dave DiMarzio,
DeKalb, Ill.
"One question: where's BYU on your list. Sure they got crushed by Arizona State early, but they nearly pulled it out against both USC and Iowa State. Not to mention the fact that they're one of the best positioned teams to take the MWC."
Stewart Forbes,
Argyle, N.Y.
|
|
ALSO SEE
Cinderella Watch
|
|
