2009.01.05
Maryland coach is right
Maryland's Gary Williams complained on the ACC coaches teleconference Monday (befire the new polls come out) that there have not been enough ACC teams in the Top 25 men's basketball polls. He was right. Last week only four ACC teams were ranked. This week there are five, with Boston College joining the Top 25 after knocking off UNC. Good for BC; I did put the Eagles in my Associated Press ballot Monday. But why isn't Maryland ranked as well? I have been putting the Terps on my ballot for weeks. They have beaten Michigan and Michigan State, and have lost only to Georgetown and Gonzaga. Meanwhile, who has Louisville beaten? Or Villanova? Or UCLA? Maryland is more deserving than any of those teams. Six ACC teams should be ranked. -- Mark Berman
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He may be right, but does it really matter? The entire season is the playoffs.
Comment by mike — January 6, 2009 @ 2:28 am
Yes, he is right.
Comment by Paul — January 6, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
Gary needs to worry about making the NCAA tournament. MD has only made it 1 out last 3 o 4 years and ACC hasn't been loaded like years ago.
Comment by jeff H — January 7, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
Guess he's not right anymore. ACC showed it doesn't deserve more than four ranked teams after bc lost to harvard and maryland lost to morgan state, both on their home floors.
Comment by TechHoops.com — January 7, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
It seems to be a little early to start crying.
Comment by George — January 8, 2009 @ 5:07 am
I think a few more ACC teeams will be crying before it's all over.
Comment by George — January 8, 2009 @ 5:11 am
Hindsight is 20/20, but after seeing both Maryland and BC lose last night, to teams that are NOT more talented, the ACC's lack of inclusion in the Top 25 is correct. Mid-major schools have been getting closer and closer in comparison to the perennial powers from all major conferences for the last few years. What we are seeing now, I believe, is parody at its best. And, maybe more importantly, we are seeing the mid-majors play as a real team, rather than individuals looking for nice stats.
BC beats UNC, then loses to Harvard?
Maryland beats the Michigans, then loses to Morgan State?
To be ranked nationally, you must win ALL the games you should win, and win at least half the games against those considered your equal or better. Don't play up OR down to your opponent. Simply play the game as a team, and let the results take care of itself.
Maryland has been lacking in the "total team" concept for a couple years now. I can't speak for BC. The best teams aren't always the most talented. Maryland doesn't deserve Top 25 status, and will likely finish ACC play short of 500, and find themselves in the NIT.
As a Terrapin alum, I hate to see this, and I hope last night was just a one-time bad dream, but if you look at their results this season, there have been other close games against teams way outside the Top 25, that really could have gone either way at the end. Gary Williams has a very steep hill to climb this season, and it starts with Georgia Tech on Saturday. Good luck Terps. Good luck Gary.
Comment by Mike — January 8, 2009 @ 8:55 am
There is 3 ACC teams in the top 4. All 3 deserve the ranking. 1 will fall after Wake and UNC play on Sunday. Having 3 in the top 4 is a pretty nice compliment to the ACC.
Comment by john — January 9, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
Harvard might turn out to be a good "mid-major" this year, and them beating Boston College won't seem like a big upset by the time the year is over.
I don't think Morgan State beating Maryland was a fluke: Gary Williams hasn't recruited well, on paper, in at least 5 years.
Does Clemson think they're fooling recruits with the schedule they play each year?
Comment by Nelson — January 9, 2009 @ 9:27 pm