Early Top 25 Lists for 2016-17

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 8 years ago

RF1 wrote:Expect big things from Rams
It certainly looks as if 2016-17 is going to be the Year of the Rams.
Jim Donaldson
Providence Journal
05/25/16

http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ ... w=ZW50aXR5

We've arrived! The rebuild is over!

Seriously though - how does Donaldson have a job? What a joke of an article - regurgitate things that literally anyone who follows college basketball knows, and in an article that "focuses" on URI, include two quotes from PC's head coach and zero quotes from anyone from URI.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 8 years ago

To get a quote from Dan, Donaldson probably thinks he would have to go ALL THE WAY to South County. That would involve a travel voucher and, possibly, a passport. And, don't forget those long lines in the airport.

I have no doubt that if we start out next season at 10-0 and PC starts at 5-5, the headlines will be "What's Wrong With
PC?"

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 8 years ago

I'm confused about what you guys are confused about, we've been talking about this for 24 hours now. Donaldson went to PC to get quotes from Cooley about Bentil and Dunn leaving figuring he'd get a good story. And the best soundbite Cooley gave was about how good we'd be next year. Cooley is trying to deflect pressure from his squad, and based on the Donaldson article it's working just like he thought and we said it would.

PlayMikeMotenMore · Unread post by **PlayMikeMotenMore** » 8 years ago

I have not read a thing written by Jimbo in probably 8 years. He's a lazy hack. If you're interested, I'll be more than happy to share a story about Jim's love of PC.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 8 years ago

He writes the story....some editor writes the headline....that person could have done a better job summarizing the article....calling it the the upcoming year in college bball or something....

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 8 years ago

Don't care about the expectations DH will have this team ready to go Day 1. Bring it on

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 8 years ago

Rothstein did a new top 25 this morning to reflect how things look after the draft deadline. Duke is 1, Cincinnati is 20, Dayton is 21, and we're 22.

Obadiah · Unread post by **Obadiah** » 8 years ago

Many Ram fans take these rankings with caution because of past experiences with them. Remember the Ryan game against Nebraska, at that time a team ranked in the preseason, but the Huskers never lived up to that billing. Also consider that last year PC had, not one but two NBA draft picks, on its starting five. Yes, PC was ranked, but it didn't last long. And while the Friars made the NCAA, they barely won their first game and only because of USC's late game ineptitude. Maybe I'm just superstitious, but all this ranking talk rattles me.

rhodyrudder · Unread post by **rhodyrudder** » 8 years ago

Winning some early season games (PLURAL) against top-100 teams would prove something to me.
That, imo, would be better than a preseason ranking.

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 8 years ago

I think that is everyone's opinion, rudder.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 8 years ago

Yeah I highly doubt you'll find anyone here who will say "I'd rather be ranked in the preseason and then lose a bunch of games and stink during the season."

rhodyrudder · Unread post by **rhodyrudder** » 8 years ago

Got my research from some site called teamrankings.
1st comes rhody's year-end rpi.
Then records vs top 50, top 100, 2nd 100, 3rd 100, 301 +, and non D-I.

2013 URI=202 1-6 1-14 2-6 5-1 --- ---
2014 URI=157 1-13 4-14 1-2 5-2 3-0 1-0
2015 URI=61 0-7 5-8 5-2 12-0 --- 1-0
2016 URI=122 1-9 3-10 5-5 8-0 1-0 ---

Totals: top 50: 3-35 (2-29 over the last 3 seasons)
Top 100: 13-46 (22%)
151 +: 41-12

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 8 years ago

Wow those are some mind boggling stats especially vs the top 50 that needs to change

Rhody15 · Unread post by **Rhody15** » 8 years ago

#19 on Yahoo's post draft deadline Top 20.

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-th ... 34296.html

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

rhodyrudder wrote:Got my research from some site called teamrankings.
1st comes rhody's year-end rpi.
Then records vs top 50, top 100, 2nd 100, 3rd 100, 301 +, and non D-I.

2013 URI=202 1-6 1-14 2-6 5-1 --- ---
2014 URI=157 1-13 4-14 1-2 5-2 3-0 1-0
2015 URI=61 0-7 5-8 5-2 12-0 --- 1-0
2016 URI=122 1-9 3-10 5-5 8-0 1-0 ---

Totals: top 50: 3-35 (2-29 over the last 3 seasons)
Top 100: 13-46 (22%)
151 +: 41-12

Is your point that these admittedly and titled "rediculously too early" preseason predictions/polls are inaccurate? Overstating URI? Worthless? Other?
Where would you have URI rated if you had to pick right now among the 350+ D1 teams?

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

Rhody15 wrote:#19 on Yahoo's post draft deadline Top 20.

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-th ... 34296.html

All names mentioned except Andre Berry

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

RhowdyRam02 wrote:Rothstein did a new top 25 this morning to reflect how things look after the draft deadline. Duke is 1, Cincinnati is 20, Dayton is 21, and we're 22.

First time I have seen Cincinnati in one of these "too early" polls. Shaping up as a great preseason tournament at the Mohegan Sun with 3 Top 25 Teams in it!!
Total List:
1. Duke
2. Villanova
3. Kansas
4. Xavier
5. Kentucky
6. Wisconsin
7. Virginia
8. Oregon
9. North Carolina
10. Indiana
11. Louisville
12. Arizona
13. UCLA
14. Gonzaga
15. Michigan State
16. West Virginia
17. Connecticut
18. Syracuse
19. California
20. Cincinnati
21. Dayton
22. Rhode Island
23. Colorado
24. Virginia Tech
25. Creighton

rhodyrudder · Unread post by **rhodyrudder** » 8 years ago

ramster wrote:
rhodyrudder wrote:Got my research from some site called teamrankings.
1st comes rhody's year-end rpi.
Then records vs top 50, top 100, 2nd 100, 3rd 100, 301 +, and non D-I.

2013 URI=202 1-6 1-14 2-6 5-1 --- ---
2014 URI=157 1-13 4-14 1-2 5-2 3-0 1-0
2015 URI=61 0-7 5-8 5-2 12-0 --- 1-0
2016 URI=122 1-9 3-10 5-5 8-0 1-0 ---

Totals: top 50: 3-35 (2-29 over the last 3 seasons)
Top 100: 13-46 (22%)
151 +: 41-12
Is your point that these admittedly and titled "ridiculously too early" preseason predictions/polls are inaccurate? Overstating URI? Worthless? Other?
Where would you have URI rated if you had to pick right now among the 350+ D1 teams?

My point is, unfortunately for me at least, it feels a bit like deja vu, chicken little in reverse.
For three years we have believed the end was at hand, but have gone 2-29 in big games over that span.
Thank god for Dayton, or it would be a goose-egg. And if we had beaten them once in 2015 (instead of in both seasons before and after) the drought would have ended!!!
We have some great pieces returning. Hopefully they're all healthy and good to go for 30+ games.
But there are a lot of question marks in my eyes, on many levels. That includes coaches and players.
We were unquestionably snake-bit to say the least with the injuries last year.
But even with the injuries, some of the results were frankly less-than-acceptable to me.
And I don't know what to expect with all of the new people.
Will they in fact all come in September?
We lost a player last summer for academic reasons, which on top of Ify leaving and the transfer being ineligible and then the injuries...
Looking forward to having 13 players.
But again, I'll believe it when I see it.
Right now we have four guys who played 600+ minutes last year, EC, 3 others with less than 600 minutes, and 5 new players. Will it add up?
Sorry to be Debbie Downer and ask the question. I did renew my tickets, certainly, but these last six years have really kicked me in the balls.
Win some games...then talk to me about Selection Sunday and our ranking.

Where would I put this team? 122 sounds about right.
Next year? I'll take anything from 1 to 68. 1 to 32 would be even better.
15 would be delicious! I hope it's correct. It just feels like it's too good to be true though.
Talk is certainly better than no talk, I admit. But at this point I want more than talk.

Rhody15 · Unread post by **Rhody15** » 8 years ago

Lol if you think we should be ranked 122 in the country ....

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

Where would you rank us in the A10 considering a 122 National Ranking? Middle of the pack? 6,7,8?

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 8 years ago

rhodyrudder wrote:
ramster wrote:
rhodyrudder wrote:Got my research from some site called teamrankings.
1st comes rhody's year-end rpi.
Then records vs top 50, top 100, 2nd 100, 3rd 100, 301 +, and non D-I.

2013 URI=202 1-6 1-14 2-6 5-1 --- ---
2014 URI=157 1-13 4-14 1-2 5-2 3-0 1-0
2015 URI=61 0-7 5-8 5-2 12-0 --- 1-0
2016 URI=122 1-9 3-10 5-5 8-0 1-0 ---

Totals: top 50: 3-35 (2-29 over the last 3 seasons)
Top 100: 13-46 (22%)
151 +: 41-12
Is your point that these admittedly and titled "ridiculously too early" preseason predictions/polls are inaccurate? Overstating URI? Worthless? Other?
Where would you have URI rated if you had to pick right now among the 350+ D1 teams?

My point is, unfortunately for me at least, it feels a bit like deja vu, chicken little in reverse.
For three years we have believed the end was at hand, but have gone 2-29 in big games over that span.
Thank god for Dayton, or it would be a goose-egg. And if we had beaten them once in 2015 (instead of in both seasons before and after) the drought would have ended!!!
We have some great pieces returning. Hopefully they're all healthy and good to go for 30+ games.
But there are a lot of question marks in my eyes, on many levels. That includes coaches and players.
We were unquestionably snake-bit to say the least with the injuries last year.
But even with the injuries, some of the results were frankly less-than-acceptable to me.
And I don't know what to expect with all of the new people.
Will they in fact all come in September?
We lost a player last summer for academic reasons, which on top of Ify leaving and the transfer being ineligible and then the injuries...
Looking forward to having 13 players.
But again, I'll believe it when I see it.
Right now we have four guys who played 600+ minutes last year, EC, 3 others with less than 600 minutes, and 5 new players. Will it add up?
Sorry to be Debbie Downer and ask the question. I did renew my tickets, certainly, but these last six years have really kicked me in the balls.
Win some games...then talk to me about Selection Sunday and our ranking.

Where would I put this team? 122 sounds about right.
Next year? I'll take anything from 1 to 68. 1 to 32 would be even better.
15 would be delicious! I hope it's correct. It just feels like it's too good to be true though.
Talk is certainly better than no talk, I admit. But at this point I want more than talk.

IMHO we are a top 15 club...

On paper.

Other than that this debby downer / bummer bob post is spot on.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

I've never heard of Bummer Bob. Is he married to Debbie Downer? What would they name their kids?

rhodyrudder · Unread post by **rhodyrudder** » 8 years ago

This year we were 7th.
If we finish top 4, we ought to dance.
But Bona was T1 and didn't.
Can we win some OOC games against the top 50? (We haven't yet...)
Can we end the 4-year streak (more in at least 1 case) of losing to St Joe, PC, VCU and UMass?
We are 3-22 against those 4 teams and have lost to each of them at least once every year.
That would make me happy, going undefeated against those 4 teams next year.

My goals are clear, beat each of those teams every time we play next year, home or away.
Win some OOC games against the top 50.
Win the league.
Win the tourney in Pittsburgh.
Win the first game of the dance.
Represent in the second game.

Preseason polls, or any polls for that matter, are useless to me now.
Again, sorry to be a crybaby on the eve of Rhody's greatest-ever season, but all I want are wins.

If all the talk pans out, I'll celebrate like crazy and never question anything again.
The reason I'm questioning now is I have expected change for each of the last 3 years,
and have been bitterly disappointed each time, to the tune of 2-29.
And 8 players with less than 600 minutes plus 2 guys coming off horrific injuries and only 3 guys with
no question marks at all...
This time I'm just gonna remain a little cautious, is all. For my own sake.
If you want to go all-in, don't let me stop you.
We all want the same thing.
Go Rhody!

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 8 years ago

Ok. It's fine, except for the sarcastic "greatest-ever season" thing, maybe. They can't achieve any of your benchmarks for success for about 6 months, though. The most notable thing that's occurred recently is that Jarvis got his braces off. No more masked man! And that Tertsea story was pretty cool. I don't know, go watch the end of the Rhody baseball game. That's been pretty fun. There's a player named Jordan Powell, who I'm imagining is made up completely of cast-off basketball players.

rhodyrudder · Unread post by **rhodyrudder** » 8 years ago

Wow, that makes my day!!!
Had forgotten about the Rhody 9.
A-10 Champs baby!
Dance til you can't dance no more.
Go Rams, congrats guys!!!
Represent and have fun!
Thanks Ace.
Woo-hoo.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

Jordan Powell was an excellent guard at Kingwood High School in Texas!
I think the self called "way too early to predict" polls are just what they say they are.
I often hear "what we were promised" but never can get those who say this as to exactly who promised - never any names.
These are prognosticators on Twitter, yahoo, sporting news, ESPN, etc etc who come out with this stuff.
Nobody at URI or on Keaney Blue has any influence.
Is it too early? To some yes.
Best to ignore threads like these if you take them too seriously. Obviously the final scores matter more.
As they say on Wall Street buy on the rumor sell on the news.
I'm buying RHODY stock this year.........on the rumors

rhodyrudder · Unread post by **rhodyrudder** » 8 years ago

ramster wrote:I've never heard of Bummer Bob. Is he married to Debbie Downer? What would they name their kids?

Sad Sally and Depression Dave?

I'm buying the stock too, ramster, just like every year.
And the name I'll reveal is none other than PK more than 3 years ago after the last game of his career.
He said, "These guys are going to be great next year!"
Told me he would be back often but watching from the stands...
Hope he's doing well.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

I know it's tough being a RHODY basketball fan but I tend to agree with 208, that these players and coaches know little about our history and past frustrations. They are guys playing for today and looking forward only.
I don't think we are jinked like the great bambino hex on the Red Sox at all.
These kids we have are from strong basketball programs. They play tough competition in AAU ball whether it's Adidas, Nike or Under Armor.
To me DH has proven his worth and I was more wait and see in the first year or two. I love what I'm seeing and enjoy hearing the pundits ranking us in the rediculously early preseason polls.
We will start 3 seniors and two juniors unless someone beats any of these 5 out for a starting roll which in itself would be saying something.
Good for recruiting when DH and staff can point to the guys coming in as freshmen and leading this team as seniors and juniors. I think we will have an excellent 2017 recruiting class!

Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 8 years ago

The coaches and players have no interest in past misfortunes. How long did it take Jim Harrick to change the vibe here? Maybe a week?
The the people I've seen transcend the past here were Kraft, Harrick and AD Tom McElro, who was run out in record time. Maybe Hurley's next as a change agent.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

They did it by looking forward, not dwelling on the past misfortunes.

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 8 years ago

That's true doesn't matter what happened in the past . We will start this season ranked in the Top 25 so hopefully we can live up to the expectations

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 8 years ago

reef wrote:That's true doesn't matter what happened in the past . We will start this season ranked in the Top 25 so hopefully we can live up to the expectations

Could not agree more...but thinking that's minority sentiment here...

rhodysurf · Unread post by **rhodysurf** » 8 years ago

Just to fuel this fire

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... e-movement

Rhody15 · Unread post by **Rhody15** » 8 years ago

Last year we were included in many (but not all) preseason top 25 polls.

This year, however, we seem to be included in EVERY major preseason poll.

If we start the season in AP Top 25 that would be very impressive coming off of last year, with the questions that we have (EC and Hassan at full strength, ability to close out games, etc.)

neil · Unread post by **neil** » 8 years ago

Any time we are ahead of Connecticut in anything, I'll take it!

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 8 years ago

Have to question the author who claimed EC Matthews was "arguably our best defender" -- umm, no.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 8 years ago

bigappleram wrote:Have to question the author who claimed EC Matthews was "arguably our best defender" -- umm, no.

Yeah that was interesting. I guess he did say "arguably"? The argument is no, no chance.

I don't think you could even argue that he is our best perimeter defender if maybe that's what he was going for.

860_rhody · Unread post by **860_rhody** » 8 years ago

neil wrote:Any time we are ahead of Connecticut in anything, I'll take it!

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 8 years ago

Obviously Jared is the #1 guy out there and then Jarvis is very good on the ball.

I think EC's height on the perimeter bothers guards on the 3ball. He also is a much better rebounder than given credit for. I thought Munford and EC on the perimeter were great defending the 3ball because they used their height.

Nik Milosevic. Also a tall perimeter guy. He ran around out there with his hands down.

FWIW IMHO (insert another acronym) during the Hurley era.

[Edit] Jared is not in EC's league in rebounding. Thompson might be.

You put EC out there as your 3rd or 4th best rebounder and wow. Because Iverson is a very good rebounder in his own right behind Hass Martin.

The lineups this year will be extremely interesting.

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 8 years ago

# 8 seed vs Florida in Buffalo NY. I know chances are its going to be totally different. But I would totally make that trip in a heart beat.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 8 years ago

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 8 years ago

The last sentence about Stan Robinson hints at the X factor he could be this year for the team.
He is after all a 4-star recruit that played significant minutes for a blue blood (IU), while he doesn't seem like a pure scorer, he does seem more than capable of being that spark plug off the bench that can occasionally have a big offensive night. I think especially in a fast paced/uptempo type game his athleticism will thrive. On top of that he should be another very strong perimeter defender.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 8 years ago

If Dowtin surprises or Thompson continues to improve (the more likely scenario, I think), they have the chance, with Robinson, to bring in two very solid guard options off the bench that can give them different things. I'm looking forward to seeing more of that defensive pressure that they showed in 14-15 and can see Robinson getting some early minutes, like TJ did, when they didn't like how things were going. Last season, Thompson was the one and only guard option off the bench. Regardless, they're expected to have what every coach wants- legitimate competition for minutes. Also, that hand-switching thing Indiana tried with Robinson is still weird.

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 8 years ago

Depth is going to be huge this year allowing DH to do what he wants getting the guys to go all out all the time then subbing in fresh bodies to do the same keeping the defensive intensity

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 8 years ago

Some people say the preseason rankings don't matter, but I've thought about it and, of course they matter. It won't mean we will automatically continue to be ranked, but i'ts obviously better than not being ranked. Forces teams to have respect for us and puts us on the map. The longer we are in pre-seasons rankings before the season, the more time future recruits, ticket holders and general fans have to get excited about the team and interest builds.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 8 years ago

Rhodymob05 wrote:Some people say the preseason rankings don't matter, but I've thought about it and, of course they matter. It won't mean we will automatically continue to be ranked, but i'ts obviously better than not being ranked. Forces teams to have respect for us and puts us on the map. The longer we are in pre-seasons rankings before the season, the more time future recruits, ticket holders and general fans have to get excited about the team and interest builds.

Absolutely. The business of college basketball isn't going to stop until after Mohegan, after PC, conference play to start, or until Selection Sunday so we can "prove ourselves". Out of conference and television scheduling, ticket and sponsorship sales, and recruiting are happening right now and are constantly ongoing, and therefore it is absolutely beneficial to have a number next to our name in every single one of the polls that comes out. And if that breeds any kind of overconfidence in the players then it's Hurley's job to correct it. And if it creates a belief in the players that something is special maybe it makes them work just that little bit harder in the offseason.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 8 years ago

I think in layman's terms its called "Marketing", and no logical URI fan should be anything but thrilled with the attention.

PlayMikeMotenMore · Unread post by **PlayMikeMotenMore** » 8 years ago

Some people in the sales world refer to marketing as "marketing BS."

Meaning...marketing is smoke and mirrors and the only thing that matters is the product.

If the product is good , it'll sell. If it's no good (new Coke), it won't sell, no matter how much marketing you do.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 8 years ago

I'd say they go hand in hand PMM. Ask the URI ticket sales team if its easier to sell against a team with preseason hype vs one without.
Beats by Dre are crap head phones, but brilliant marketing...seems to be working for them. Ask the people at Bose who have a superior product and are becoming irrelevant.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 8 years ago

In the last few days, ESPN has featured these articles profiling, as the second article describes them, the top 25 programs in college basketball. I'm not even sure I'd pick URI to win the conference right now (Dayton until proven otherwise, I think), but that's irrelevant. The talk is good.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... ball-teams

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncbrecruiting/o ... t?id=15727

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