Team Rankings Has Issues: What Teams do not Fit? November 24 Version, 2024

    I have been counting or rating or qualifying the 364 teams of Division I men's college basketball this season. I have seen the undefeated teams keep getting knocked off. Only two, for me, would be a welcome amazing turn of events. My two undergraduate institutions, Indiana or Brigham Young. That is so unlikely. It is so, so hard to make it through a whole season with nary a loss. Last happened when I was five, in my hometown. The legendary Bob Knight got his first crown of three, and it was undefeated. The only one. His other two championship teams had nine- and four-season losses, respectively. 1981 and 1987. 

    So, what teams does Team Rankings have that look wonky to the eye right now?

    U Penn at 350, with a 2-3 record. I think that they are better than that. Time will tell, Quaker fans. Just a feeling. I have not looked at my Athlon magazine, but I should... Lot of work to research, sometimes. And for what? My little distractions...

    Brown, 343, at 3-3, and Indiana State, 336, at 2-2. They both will be better than that. Brown, though. Historically not as good as Penn, or Harvard, or even Cornell recently. 

    St. Louis, 328, 1-2. No, the Billikens almost always have more talent and results than a mere 328. They must sniff 150 or better by the end. 

    Fresno State at 324, 3-2 record. These Bulldogs will be better. They have a winning record now. Of course, I have not check their opponents' records much, either. These are just quick impressions, okay?

    Tulsa at 319? Sure, less than impressive start with a 2-3 win/loss record, but... This team should be better, right?

    Georgia Tech, 305? No, cannot be! 2-3 record, which is pretty poor for them, but this is a fairly major program, and even with an overall losing record, based on the tough schedule they play, will be better than in the last 64... Of 364. The bottom fourth Yellow Jackets? Nah, cannot be.

    Iowa State. 3-0. 287. What??? Undefeated, but apparently their opposition and the spreads have not been good. 287? They will be better than 87th, I would confidentially wager.

    Illinois State and Tulane at 285 and 284, with 3-2 records each. Both will be better.

    Villanova. 275. 3-3. They have lost a few, but they are a major school with talent to win a bunch. Hard times, compared to more recent champions, but 275? Puleeze, Team Rankings!

    Virginia Tech 261. 3-2 so far. They are bigger and better than that. Hokies at least in top 120. Maybe 60? Maybe not. Hope they still beat Duke and UNC, however. Go Hokes.

    Oklahoma. 4-0. 258. What? Make no sense, oh foolish ones.

    Oregon State. 3-1. 255. Nope.

    UAB. 2-4, 249. Nah, they will be better.

    Depaul. 6-0, 245. I know they have been bad the last few years, but 245 is not right. And they are perfect six in.

    Miami, 3-2. 243. No, the team that eliminated IU from the Dance two years ago has to be better.

    Utah, 4-1. 235. I think they have to better than that.

    Rice. 5-1. 222. Methinks it is not accurate.

    Arizona 2-2, 218. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. They played a bit with Duke a few days ago.

    Connecticut, 4-0. 217. What is going on? If was a potty mouth curser, I would say what in the #$%@^@ is this about?!! The two-time defending champs Huskies out of Storrs, wherever that is.

    Oh, and Minnesota, 219 with a 4-1 record? Eegh. 

    Illinois at 211 with a 4-1 start? C'mon. Does this website send soldiers and marines with all kinds of languages to all the wrong places? There is a demon ghost in the machine.

    SMU, 210, 4-2. I saw their Turkish center, a 7-2 freshman dude who can play. The team is competitive, too.

    Weber State is off to a ghastly 0-4 record, but really 205? I think they may recover... The house of Dame and all. But maybe everyone left this past off-season.

    Drexel, 3-2 and 204? These Dragons, I believe. We shall see.

    Michigan State 4-1 at 190? Cannot be that bad. No, they played a top team with some umph before coming up short. I saw it.

    Seton Hall 3-3, 186? No, they'll be stronger. And after them, Wyoming and Princeton. 185 and 184, 3-1 and 4-3. Both are better.

    Cincinnati, 5-0 and 181. Hmmm. Still broken, this thing.

    South Carolina, 3-2 at 172. Played IU, showed some moxy. Will be better, I predict. Major conference and past success at upsets.

    BYU at 5-0 and 162. Oh, to the heck no, Cougs! We are going far, before they break my heart! In March, though, for sure.

    Georgetown 4-1. 159. I think not. They are better this year, I do think.

    Rutgers. 4-0. 153. Neh. But, there is a fly in the ointment. They lost tonight to Kennesaw State, and the L is not reflected hours later in this page. Yeah, lots of flies going on here.

    Colorado State 3-2, 151. They were March dancers last year.  Must be better than 151.

    NC State 5-0 and only 145. Thurl Bailey will have your job!

    UCLA 5-1 and 135. No way.

    VCU. 4-2 and 129. Nah, these Rams play harder than that. I saw them.

    Virginia 3-2 and 124? Maybe 80, but not in the 100s.

    Texas Tech 5-1 and 121. Say it ain't so, ghost of Bobby Knight!

    Texas A&M, 4-1 and 118. No, Aggies got some ballers and thugs: I knows this.

    Maryland, 4-1 and 114? No, McQueen alone is better. They got a big win tonight, too.

    Providence, 5-0, 105. I think they are better.

    Houston, 3-1 and 100. WHAT??? These guys are a top team nationwide.

    Penn State, 5-0, and 95. Okay, maybe true.

    Oklahoma State, 4-1 and 93. This seems to be too high. Maybe 70? Maybe better.

    Arkansas. 4-1 and 91. Nope. The Hogs have to be better.

    Duke. 4-1 and 65th? Werrrrrrrr...

    Gardner-Webb, 2-3 and 50th? Are first graders doing this math?

    OKAY, the last ones here get very stupid, bear with me:

    Montana. 0-3. 38. Something broke, folks.

    UC Riverside. 2-3 29. Huh? What gives?

    McNeese Stare. 2-3. 28. Again: que demonios?

    N. Colorado. 3-2.  23. We are talking top 25 now. This is so weird and frustrating.

    It may be only me, however. No one else cares, or thinks it matters.

    UTEP. 1-1. 21. Guhhhhhh.

    Furman. 4-0. 16. yikes!

    Jacksonville. 2-2 19. Where in the blue blazes has this calculus come from?

    Utah Valley. 2-1. 15. REED iculoooose.

    Florida Atlantic. 3-3. 13. In what world?

    Memphis over Gonzaga, both undefeated, for 1 over 2. Dogs kill the Cats in a real one.

    Time should prove this thing more accurate and sane, but for now, this thing be whacked out the caboozle.

    Yep, you can quote me on that.

    Cheers, college basketball fans.

    We should have some fun sorting it all out.

    Go Hoosiers. Or Cougars, of the Provo variety.