What preseason rankings really mean
Abridged version: nothing. Unabridged version: absolutely nothing. And still, as they always do, the preseason top 25 polls will be discussed a fair amount over the next couple of weeks until games get underway and people actually have something tangible on which to base their evaluations.
With that in mind, senior guard Greivis Vasquez was asked yesterday during a media session at Comcast Center for his thoughts on Maryland just missing out on a spot in the Associated Press and coaches' top 25 polls. In both polls, the Terrapins finished with the most votes of any unranked team.
"It really doesn’t matter at all," Vasquez said. "It’s just somebody – I mean, I was a little upset, you know, because we beat California, we beat Georgia Tech, and they’re ranked so much higher than us. But it is what it is. That’s always been around since I’ve been at Maryland. You know, people sometimes don’t give you that 100 percent credit about your work ethic. We just have to prove people wrong. I think the first couple of games and the tournament in Hawaii will set the tone about this team. I think we got to win games, and it will take care of itself if we just win."
Indeed, Maryland did beat Georgia Tech twice last season, but many observers are high on the Yellow Jackets in large part because of returning starters Iman Shumpert and Gani Lawal, not to mention the arrival of highly touted freshman forward Derrick Favors. Georgia Tech is ranked No. 22 in the AP poll and No. 20 in the coaches' poll.
The Terrapins also beat California last season, in the first round of the NCAA tournament no less. The Golden Bears -- who return 93 percent of their scoring, four starters and two all-Pac-10 players -- are ranked No. 13 in the AP poll and No. 12 in the coaches' poll.
Maryland Coach Gary Williams had this to say as part of his response to a question about scheduling tonight's exhibition opponent, Indiana (Pa.):
"You know, everybody wants to believe that they’re really good," Williams said. "And it’s hard for players to realize that at this time of year nobody’s won a game yet. So even though people may have been writing that you’re really good or that this guy’s a great player, that guy’s a great player, you see it every year in that certain teams never live up to their preseason expectations. Some teams you’ve never heard of are really good in a particular year, and that is just in the way players work a lot of times. It’s very important that they understand that regardless of whether you think you’re ranked too high or too low, you prove it. All the preseason rankings, the first time the referee throws up the ball, they’re done. That’s history. It’s time to play, and you prove where you are."
By
Steve Yanda
|
November 3, 2009; 11:07 AM ET
Categories:
Men's basketball
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Posted by: Barno1 | November 3, 2009 11:41 AM | Report abuse
I disagree. These polls do mean something. If you are ranked #8 and lose twice, you likely drop to #22-23. If you are ranked #15 and lose twice, you're out of the Top 25. And if you're #26 and lose twice, you probably don't get Top 25 consideration without beating some highly ranked teams. Rarely has a Top 25 team missed the tournament (has one ever?), so being in there, no matter what number, is not a bad place to be.
Posted by: fushezzi | November 3, 2009 12:35 PM | Report abuse
Now, I plan on watching the game tonight instead, even if its on 360.
Rgeards -
-hgr
Posted by: HughGRection | November 3, 2009 9:33 AM
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Sorry Hugh, I was being facetious in my previous post abou the game being on 360. Figured I'd make a job being how the previous 2-3 posts were about the Terps football team being on 360 constantly.
As for polls, of course they don't mean jack squat this early on.
And if you need to use a B/S preseason poll as "motivation" (as suggested by someone) for being disrespected or slighted or whatever, well than that's just kinda sad and maybe said just isn't mentally tough. Hopefully that's not the case.
Posted by: Poopy_McPoop | November 3, 2009 1:13 PM | Report abuse
First commentator re: the preseason rankings is spot on. Unfortunately.
Posted by: lavar609 | November 3, 2009 1:32 PM | Report abuse
If UMD were preseason ranked in the top 10,
most of the folks on this blog would be just full of glee. Eventhough at this point in time it really wouldn't matter.
Let the team play a couple of early games and see if they are worthy of being in the top 25. If so, they will move up, if not, they were who we thought they were.
Go Hoyas !!!
Posted by: Hlynchmaster | November 3, 2009 1:52 PM | Report abuse
Of course polls don't matter - but it's better to be in them than out. I usually don't buy the 'motivation' or 'overrated' arguments, as if it's better to sneak up on people. Being in the AP and/or Coaches gets you more highlights on SportsCenter, AP blurbs (nationally) in papers, the small cache of having a ranking number beside your name on TV.
Sure, these are trivial, but a program will take all the love it can get in recruiting battles. Let's say Landon Milbourne has a massive dunk that you'd love a recruit in NY to see - more likely of that happening when you're ranked.
Posted by: Kev29 | November 3, 2009 2:17 PM | Report abuse
One point short in the AP poll, 11 in the coaches. Seriously, would anyone be rejoicing if we had that extra point and were tied for 25th? Agree with GV - more important to set the tone early in the season - a great weekend in Hawai'i and they'll be ranked. Is the game on TV at all?
Posted by: HughGRection | November 3, 2009 2:44 PM | Report abuse
Polls don't have any real meaning till the end of the NCAA tournament.
But yes, they can be used for motivation. And GW is great at that. If fact "they don't believe in us" is seemingly the only motivational tool he has.
Posted by: ckstevenson | November 3, 2009 4:15 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Polls don't matter....unless you use them as motivation. The Terps should be ranked, based on what they accomplished last year and who they have coming back. ESPN had them at number 20 for the upcoming year shortly after last season ended...that seemed about right.
Now, some things may soon come out about a certain player or two that may affect our ranking, but overall I think this team is certainly worthy of being top 25. Now it's time to go prove it.