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Just some thoughts I've had lately about our beloved Shocks. It seems to me the pollsters have done their best to discredit the strength of our team this year. I believe that part of our problem stems from the fact the guys gelled together as a team soon after the Puerto Rico losses, and thus got better as a collective unit AFTER the main spotlight was taken off them.
So in the name of a little fun, lets try to get into the minds of the pollsters. Given the schedule as listed below, place a percentage on the likelihood of seeing the Shockers in the Top 25, assuming that the Shockers win the game and the day after the game the new polls come out.
Jan 25 vs EVANSVILLE -- 10%. Not strong enough of an opponent to qualify us yet, unless enough teams above us tumble.
Jan 28 @ DRAKE -- 30%. Given that Drake is sitting at 3rd along with Evansville and Missouri State, this game should be noteworthy to the polsters.
Feb 1 @ MISSOURI STATE -- 55%. If the Shocks come away with three victories against the upper half of the conference, they have more than enough reason to be in.
Feb 4 vs INDIANA STATE -- 65%. Every game is big in the Valley, and a loss against Indy St. would be devastating to our top 25 chances.
Feb 8 vs NORTHERN IOWA -- 80%. UNI doesn't get any favors on it's schedule prior to meeting up with our Shocks again. The Panthers have a good chance at being below .500 when they meet us at Koch Arena, and by then all the shine from their non-con RPI will be faded away. None-the-less, Ben Jacobson's teams are respected in college basketball and would be noted by the polsters.
Feb 11 @ #14 CREIGHTON -- 100%.
So in the name of a little fun, lets try to get into the minds of the pollsters. Given the schedule as listed below, place a percentage on the likelihood of seeing the Shockers in the Top 25, assuming that the Shockers win the game and the day after the game the new polls come out.
Jan 25 vs EVANSVILLE -- 10%. Not strong enough of an opponent to qualify us yet, unless enough teams above us tumble.
Jan 28 @ DRAKE -- 30%. Given that Drake is sitting at 3rd along with Evansville and Missouri State, this game should be noteworthy to the polsters.
Feb 1 @ MISSOURI STATE -- 55%. If the Shocks come away with three victories against the upper half of the conference, they have more than enough reason to be in.
Feb 4 vs INDIANA STATE -- 65%. Every game is big in the Valley, and a loss against Indy St. would be devastating to our top 25 chances.
Feb 8 vs NORTHERN IOWA -- 80%. UNI doesn't get any favors on it's schedule prior to meeting up with our Shocks again. The Panthers have a good chance at being below .500 when they meet us at Koch Arena, and by then all the shine from their non-con RPI will be faded away. None-the-less, Ben Jacobson's teams are respected in college basketball and would be noted by the polsters.
Feb 11 @ #14 CREIGHTON -- 100%.
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