Athlon Top 25

[TXSNOS]

Athlon rankings:

1. Duke
2. Tennessee
3. K-State
4. Vanderbilt
5. Notre Dame
6. LSU
7. Stanford
8. Connecticut
9. Georgia
10. Texas
11. North Carolina
12. Tulane
13. Minnesota
14. Arkansas
15. Texas Tech
16. Colorado State
17. Purdue
18. Lousiana Tech
19. Iowa State
20. Cincinnati
21. New Mexico
22. Oregon
23. Houston
24. USC
25. Penn State

Wecker, Ohlde, Wilson named to Athlon pre-season All-American teams.

Link to story: http://www.collegesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/stories/091602aaa.html

TXs N Os

[This message has been edited by TXSNOS (edited 09-16-2002).]

[BigUtFan]

Way to go Big XII!! Hook 'en Horns on the Top Ten Ranking by yet, another poll.

[RaiderPower1]

Whoo hoo! (and no I'm not being sarcastic) I was really happy last year that Tech finally got respect from the polls being in the top 10 in almost every one. This one puts Tech at #15 and the other was #10 (right?). I think this will be better for this particular Tech team because it puts the pressure on the backs of other big xii teams. I really think this will help the LRs to say, "We need to prove ourselves to the nation that we are better than #15 (or whatever) and we are going to do that by beating KSU and UT." That being said, I think Tech as of now is a #9-16 team.

[schooner2]

Hmmmm. Honestly, I'm really surprised. OU has received a lot of respect from the polls the last two years. I thought that would have been long enough of a time to ensure the Sooners would automatically be placed within the Top 25. When's the last time a national runner-up was nowhere to be seen in the Top 25 to begin the next season. I know team's like Purdue was knocked down a good bit the following season - but not out of the Top 25.

And to put ISU ahead of OU? Don't see it. I will really be surprised if the AP or ESPN/USA Today polls did the same.

[BigUtFan]

Originally posted by RaiderPower1:
Whoo hoo! (and no I'm not being sarcastic) I was really happy last year that Tech finally got respect from the polls being in the top 10 in almost every one. This one puts Tech at #15 and the other was #10 (right?). I think this will be better for this particular Tech team because it puts the pressure on the backs of other big xii teams. I really think this will help the LRs to say, "We need to prove ourselves to the nation that we are better than #15 (or whatever) and we are going to do that by beating KSU and UT." That being said, I think Tech as of now is a #9-16 team. With all due respect, I think TT has been slightly over-ranked the last few seasons. I really think they are a Top 15 team, but I probably would not rank then any higher than 11. Now about beating UT, hmmm, we'll have to discuss that one. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[BigUtFan]

Originally posted by schooner:
Hmmmm. Honestly, I'm really surprised. OU has received a lot of respect from the polls the last two years. I thought that would have been long enough of a time to ensure the Sooners would automatically be placed within the Top 25. When's the last time a national runner-up was nowhere to be seen in the Top 25 to begin the next season. I know team's like Purdue was knocked down a good bit the following season - but not out of the Top 25.

And to put ISU ahead of OU? Don't see it. I will really be surprised if the AP or ESPN/USA Today polls did the same. I'm with you on this one. I can't believe ISU would be ranked above OU.. Coale had an excellent recruiting class and she is in my opinion, one of the BEST coaches in the nation. I think OU will crack the Top 25 within the first few weeks.

[Guns Up!]

Originally posted by BigUtFan:
[/B][/QUOTE] With all due respect, I think TT has been slightly over-ranked the last few seasons. I really think they are a Top 15 team, but I probably would not rank then any higher than 11.
[/B][/QUOTE]

The same can be said for UT too!

Althon's must not know we have Plenette back and gained Mik & Erin or they would have put Tech much higher!

[This message has been edited by Guns Up! (edited 09-16-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Guns Up! (edited 09-16-2002).]

[BigUtFan]

Originally posted by Guns Up!:
Originally posted by BigUtFan:
With all due respect, I think TT has been slightly over-ranked the last few seasons. I really think they are a Top 15 team, but I probably would not rank then any higher than 11.
[/B][/QUOTE]

The same can be said for UT too! Althon's must not know we have Plenette back and gained Mik & Erin or they would have put Tech much higher!

[This message has been edited by Guns Up! (edited 09-16-2002).][/B][/QUOTE] Okay, "Gun's Up".....I guess it is that time of the season. Did you read the original statement? I said over the last two years......What the heck does this have to do with UT? They were certainly not over-ranked the last couple of years or so. UT does have a very high ranking, but that's all it is. We will just prove it on the court that we deserve it. As far as PP returning, I am happy for her. But, she has missed a full year of competitive BB, just like Carey missing two years of BB. So, don't expect her to be a miracle worker.

[Guns Up!]

PP has been working very hard all of last year and throughout the summer. Word has it that she has renewed fire for the game and I think she's going to surprise a lot of people!!!!

[Guns Up!]

Originally posted by BigUtFan:
][/B] ...I guess it is that time of the season.

[/B][/QUOTE]

and I can't wait !

[swok34]

When's the last time a national runner-up was nowhere to be seen in the Top 25 to begin the next season. I know team's like Purdue was knocked down a good bit the following season - but not out of the Top 25.

These polls are NOT the AP nor the ESPN...those are the ones that typically respect a teams position from the previous year.
I'm not familiar with these "mag" polls in regards to last year, but Notre Dame is also a good example. The year after they won the NC, they were in the Top 10 of the AP and the ESPN and they lost a great deal of their starters, also.....

they might be the team to look at from last year's polls in regards to these "mag'" polls. I'll look into some of the mags I've got from last year and see how they treated Notre Dame. I'll look up Purdue up, too. Though Notre Dame was the champ and not the runner-up; I see that Connecticut is knocked down to #8.

[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 09-16-2002).]

[DBLTFarmer]

If my memory serves me, was last years Athlon's poll pretty different from everyone elses?? I'm not sure but I rembember seeing a poll that was quite a bit different than everyone elses.

At any rate, I would have place KState about 3 or 4, UT at 10 to 13, and Tech between 15 and 20. OU would have been in my top 25 but probably 20 to 25. KState has the returning starters (with a big 12 target on their heads) http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/biggrin.gif. Texas has the returning starters but not as many as K-State. Tech has 3 returning starters and 4 if you include Plennett Pierson. Tech just not have the returning accolades that KState or UT does. Hopefully, we will see that change before the end of the season.:P

[Bob_Ballew]

If I recall, Athlon had Baylor ranked around #7 (Some people laughed) in the preseason polls last season and I believe they finished 6 or 7 in the final polls. They really surprised folks with that ranking, but it came to pass. Until the Big XII tournament is played in Dallas, the Lady Bears are the defending runners-up in the conference as far as I am concerned. This year will be much different for all of the teams in the conference and I do not see any certainty to how each team will finish in the Big XII. There seems to be a lot of emphasis put on the newcomers this season and I am anxious to see them all play. I personally don't think Plenette Pierson will be the impact player that some folks believes she will be. Let the games begin. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

Go Lady http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/bu.gif

[DBLTFarmer]

Zo,

Im curious to know your reasoning behind your thoughts about Plennette Pierson??

As far as Athlon's, I think they pick a few that will surprise and put them high in the rankings. They did that with Baylor last year. Most of the Big 12 knew about Baylor and their potential. However, I dont think the national press knew how good Lambert and Cockrum could be. I dont think they realized the coaching ability of KMR.

[DblT81]

Prior Year
"Athlon's
2001-02 Preseason Top 25 Poll
1. Tennessee
2. Vanderbilt
3. Connecticut
4. Oklahoma
5. Duke
6. Iowa State
7. Louisiana Tech
8. Stanford
9. Texas Tech
10. Baylor
11. North Carolina State
12. Florida
13. Washington
14. Purdue
15. Colorado
16. Penn State
17. Arizona State
18. Michigan
19. Notre Dame
20. Maryland
21. Drake
22. Utah
23. George Washington
24. North Carolina
25. Georgia"

[Jennifer]

I don't have the poll here (it's in my email folder at home) but Clay Kallam of Full Court Press has
3. K-State
18. Texas Tech
20. Texas

OU-Unranked

[DBLTFarmer]

Athlons was all over the board last year. They got close on some and were way off on others.

Full court press surprises me. To put only one Big 12 team in the top 10 is ludicrous. We should have at least two in the top 10 and 4 to 5 in the top 20. OU should be in the top 25 just because of their recruiting class. Couple that with Caton Hill and Jackson they are a legit top 20 team. Dont forget Colorado. They are a top 25 team also. Keeping Texas or Tech out of the top 10 is just strange. Where does this come from. Texas at least returns as much as anyone in the country. And didnt they beat both Tennesse and Kansas State last year?? Tech should have been at least 4 or 5 spots higher. KState seemed to be the only team in the Big 12 to get any respect.

[Bob_Ballew]

DBLTFarmer, I guess we all have those "gut feelings" about different teams and different players. Plenette is a very talented player but I just don't feel that she will bounce back with such a vengence. The competition she will be facing will be much better in my opinion and that is basically why I think it will be a rough season for her. Not facing some of the current Big XII standouts during the past season will be to her disadvantage. I wish her all the best except when she plays the Lady Bears.

[This message has been edited by Zo3157 (edited 09-17-2002).]

[vickie1ok]

Humm..do they think the Sooners were a one shot (ie, Stacey Dales) wonder or do they think the rebuilding is that massive? The former is definitely not true and I don't think the latter is either. I can see why some think that, but returning talent and new recruits and redshirts say they should at least be top 25.

[DBLTFarmer]

Zo,

I understand what your saying. She really hasnt played but one year against Stephens, Ohlde, and others. They had a years playing time to gain on her. However, if she comes with the intensity and team play that weve been hearing about here, she may be better than ever. Remember, her fresh and soph years she was the most doubleteamed player on the Tech team yet she led or came close to leading scoring for Tech. Personally, I would have loved to see her take on Ohlde, Cockrum, or Welle this past year. Only time will tell, but I really believe that she has the capability to be all Big 12 this next year.

[swok34]

Vickie.....they all said the same thing when we lost Phylesha Whaley http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif Of course, they didn't know how much Stacey Dales had improved while playing in the Olympics. I'm curious about OU's defense, I think they will have the same Sheri run-n-gun show offensively. Losing Caufield and Ross defensively is what I question. Though I've seen Coale spend a year "outshooting" opponents when they didn't have the height, OU's defense improved tremendously last year.....Caufield and Ross were huge defensively. Some freshmen have more trouble adjusting defensively and to the physicality of the Big XII more than anything else.

May they all play like Dionnah "Action" Jackson http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/tongue.gif

[elfdenmom]

Do these rankings mean that Texas Tech can "sneak up on" the other teams?