by adoraz » Tue Dec 23, 2014 3:56 pm
Not the best week but not a bad one either. Just some missed opportunities. We are now in the last week of OOC play, aside from a few games in January/February after Big East play starts.
NOTE: + means they gained spots from the prior week (for example- SJU was #20 last week and #17 this week in the AP so they are +3)
****After this week I will begin to look at Big East play, but for now I'm just focusing on OOC play****
#39 AP (-16)/ #41 CP (-16) Butler- won't be ranked prior to conference play. Dropped out of the rankings after a disappointing couple games, but at least won last night. Win vs. Belmont on Sunday to wrap up a solid OOC.
Creighton- *finished OOC* won't be ranked prior to conference play. Officially done with OOC schedule at 9-4. Poor finish but not bad OOC considering their expectations.
DePaul- won't be ranked prior to conference play. One more game, today vs. Ohio. Really awful finish, currently 6-5 need to hope they lose a lot in Big East play.
#26 AP (+4)/ #26 CP (+3) Georgetown- just missed it this week, but a win in their final OOC game vs. Indiana on Saturday would get them ranked. Really need to win that one to have a good OOC.
Marquette- won't be ranked prior to conference play. Good win yesterday, really need to win final game vs. Morgan State which shouldn't be an issue.
Providence- *finished OOC* won't be ranked prior to conference play. Finished strong last night with a win vs. Miami. Good OOC final record at 10-3. Strong 4 game winning streak after a bad 3 game losing streak.
#38 AP (-5)/ #34 (-2) CP Seton Hall- won't be ranked prior to conference play. Surprised they didn't drop further after losing @ Georgia. Need to finish strong vs. Maine.
Xavier- won't be ranked prior to conference play. Tough loss vs. Auburn but winning the final two games (one @ Cincy in February) would help.
And the teams that need to worry about hanging on.... (already in the top 25)
#17 AP (+3)/ #19 CP (+4) St. John's- excellent playing and still only have one loss vs. #8 Gonzaga. Another win over a very solid mid-major last night (Long Beach State). Game vs. a solid Tulane team on Sunday. If they lose that game, I still think they'll be ranked next Monday at around #24. Game vs. #2 Duke in January.
#7 AP (-)/ #7 CP (-) Villanova-once again didn't gain any spots last weeks despite a great week. Vs. Syracuse tomorrow, need to win to ensure a top 10 ranking on Monday and possibly top 5. A win vs. NJIT will guarantee a top 10 ranking heading into BE play. Lose and they'll drop into the early teens most likely. Still have a game @ Penn in January.
For Monday (still depends on outcome of games of course)...
Best case scenario:
Vilanova (#5), St. John's (#14), and Georgetown (#21) ranked.
Worst case scenario:
Vilanova (#14) ranked. (and I'd guess SJU too even if they lose, but no guarantee so can't say it's worst case)
Most likely scenario:
Vilanova (#6), St. John's (#14), and Georgetown (#23) ranked.
Let's finish strong! Should be 2 or 3 ranked teams heading into Big East play. Hopefully 3. Need 2.
Johnnies