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The only real benefit I see from the polls right now (well, except for name brand recognition, recruiting, ESPN attention, ESPN highlights and on and on) is to get a 2 or 3 seed in March. Polls have some influence over seeding.
The Shox need another S16 or better to maintain the national media love we're getting this year. It's easier to accomplish that with a 2 or 3 seed than with a 5 - 8 seed.
Get a 2 or 3 seed and get to S16 or E8 (or better) this year, and the Shox are in position to get more favorable treatment from the Selection Committee next year.
If I may offend almost everybody who posts here, the longer a mid-major at this level can maintain decent rankings in the polls (deserved or not), the better the chances of getting favorable NCAA seeds, which produces better results in March, which produces better poll results the next year.
I don't recall Butler getting a lot of love in the polls (I could be wrong I just never checked them), but they made 2 NC games. Gonzaga has had great poll rankings, but doesn't have notable runs in March. Those schools have set the table for acceptance of a non-power-conference team to get national respect. If the Shox can maintain some poll love and get some runs in March, then WSU can go beyond what Gonzaga, VCU, and Butler have done as mid-majors at this level.
We're never going to shake either "mid-major" or "at this level". That doesn't have to prevent us from getting another label - National Power. It can happen. If Marshall sticks around until his kids are out of HS, we've got a great chance to be considered a national power. If Marshall sticks aaround until he retires (I think this could happen), WSU has a great shot to be a top-20 team every year with the respect, recognition, nd recruiting that goes along with that.
The Shox need another S16 or better to maintain the national media love we're getting this year. It's easier to accomplish that with a 2 or 3 seed than with a 5 - 8 seed.
Get a 2 or 3 seed and get to S16 or E8 (or better) this year, and the Shox are in position to get more favorable treatment from the Selection Committee next year.
If I may offend almost everybody who posts here, the longer a mid-major at this level can maintain decent rankings in the polls (deserved or not), the better the chances of getting favorable NCAA seeds, which produces better results in March, which produces better poll results the next year.
I don't recall Butler getting a lot of love in the polls (I could be wrong I just never checked them), but they made 2 NC games. Gonzaga has had great poll rankings, but doesn't have notable runs in March. Those schools have set the table for acceptance of a non-power-conference team to get national respect. If the Shox can maintain some poll love and get some runs in March, then WSU can go beyond what Gonzaga, VCU, and Butler have done as mid-majors at this level.
We're never going to shake either "mid-major" or "at this level". That doesn't have to prevent us from getting another label - National Power. It can happen. If Marshall sticks around until his kids are out of HS, we've got a great chance to be considered a national power. If Marshall sticks aaround until he retires (I think this could happen), WSU has a great shot to be a top-20 team every year with the respect, recognition, nd recruiting that goes along with that.
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