2017-18 "Mid-Major" Power Rankings

[DUShock]

Fook this guy.

[Shaqness]

Fook this guy.

Sandor?

[Aargh]

Anybody who says WSU's major addition this year is Isaiah Chandler hasn't done much in the way of research.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

I know I'm going out on a limb here, but perhaps a conference with 5 of the top 10 "mid-major" teams shouldn't be considered mid-major conference?

[Steeleshocker]

I know I'm going out on a limb here, but perhaps a conference with 5 of the top 10 "mid-major" teams shouldn't be considered mid-major conference?

It's worse than that. It's 6 of 10.

[WuShock Reaper]

"Mid-major power rankings: Who's the best of the nation's Cinderellas?" - The Fieldhouse

By Matt Craig
Posted: 12/01/17, 1:30am cst

https://theathletic.com/170675/2017/12/01/mid-major-top-25-power-rankings-nevada-saint-marys-unlv-vermont-rhode-island-bucknell/

"Before they play Cinderella in March, smaller programs don't seem to get a lot of attention outside of their local markets. Whether you're a college basketball junkie or just trying to get a head start on your bracket preparation, this weekly top 25 rankings of the mid-major teams should help you.
How do we define “mid-major” programs? It's tricky. Obviously the ACC, Big 12 and the other power conferences are out. The American Athletic Conference took a little more thought, but it too was eliminated. We are also eliminating Gonzaga, because despite their conference affiliation the Zags don't operate under the same constraints of other mid-major schools. Everyone else is included, even though top programs in the Atlantic 10 and Mountain West would probably prefer to not be considered as mid-majors.

These rankings will be published every Friday. Here is the inaugural edition:

1. Nevada (7-0)
2. UT Arlington (6-1)
3. Saint Mary's (5-2)
4. Vermont (6-1)
5. Rhode Island (4-2)
6. Northern Iowa (6-2)
7. Belmont (4-4)
8. Middle Tennessee (4-1)
9. Florida Gulf Coast (6-2) - versus the Shockers on Friday, 12/22/17
10. UNLV (6-1)

Others:
16. South Dakota State (7-2) - versus the Shockers on Tuesday, 12/05/17
22. College of Charleston (5-2) - the Shockers won 81-63..."

[AZ Shocker]

Why was I thinking we were playing Vermont this year. Was that an almost opponent?

[AndShock]

Why was I thinking we were playing Vermont this year. Was that an almost opponent?

I believe they were on Doc’s troll schedule.

[WuShock Reaper]

"COLLEGE BASKETBALL" - Sports Illustrated

By MOLLY GEARY
January 03, 2018

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2018/01/03/power-rankings-michigan-state-duke-villanova-arizona

MID-MAJOR METER (For this exercise, the definition of ‘mid-major’ is any team outside the Power 5, Big East, American and Atlantic-10.)

1. Gonzaga: The Zags stumbled at San Diego State but remain on top here on the strength of their overall résumé.

2. Saint Mary’s: The Gaels are on an eight-game win streak and got an important win over BYU over the weekend to remain in place to challenge Gonzaga in the WCC.

3. Nevada: The loss to San Francisco to close out nonconference play was a bit of a head-scratcher, but the Wolf Pack are still the favorite right now in a strong Mountain West.

4. New Mexico State: The Aggies notched an impressive win over Miami in Hawaii, but couldn’t pull off the double in a five-point loss to USC.

5. Missouri State: With Wichita State having moved on to the AAC, the Bears are looking like the favorite in the Missouri Valley.

[Aargh]

If Missouri State is the #5 team among mid-majors, it's a sad, sad day (year) for mid-majors.

[ShockTalk]

"COLLEGE BASKETBALL" - Sports Illustrated

By MOLLY GEARY
January 03, 2018

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2018/01/03/power-rankings-michigan-state-duke-villanova-arizona

MID-MAJOR METER (For this exercise, the definition of ‘mid-major’ is any team outside the Power 5, Big East, American and Atlantic-10.)

1. Gonzaga: The Zags stumbled at San Diego State but remain on top here on the strength of their overall résumé.

2. Saint Mary’s: The Gaels are on an eight-game win streak and got an important win over BYU over the weekend to remain in place to challenge Gonzaga in the WCC.

3. Nevada: The loss to San Francisco to close out nonconference play was a bit of a head-scratcher, but the Wolf Pack are still the favorite right now in a strong Mountain West.

4. New Mexico State: The Aggies notched an impressive win over Miami in Hawaii, but couldn’t pull off the double in a five-point loss to USC.

5. Missouri State: With Wichita State having moved on to the AAC, the Bears are looking like the favorite in the Missouri Valley.

Interesting that they consider the MWC a mid and A-10 not. Projected conference RPI has the Valley as #8 (.5273), MWC #9 (.5201), MAC #10 (.5114), and A-10 #11 (.5087).

For perspective, the Valley is about 160 points behind the AAC, the A-10 is ahead of #13 by only about 65 points, and is behind the AAC about 340 points. The AAC is only behind #5 Pac 12 by 125 points.

[Dave Stalwart]

Yeah not including the A-10 in the criteria kinda decimated the pool a little bit. If the MVC and MWC are mid major, the A10 is definitely too