Paging through the latest Sporting News the other night, I was excited to see a preliminary college basketball rankings page. Not excited enough to buy a full-on preview magazine, we're not far enough into football season yet, but excited nonetheless.
It was a preseason top 50, and I was interested to see where the magazine put the Badgers. On some other page, apparently. No Wisconsin.
Here are some teams that are in the top 50:
Big Ten
Michigan State
Purdue
Ohio State
Illinois
Michigan (Who "expert" Jimmy King says is ranked way to low at #24. I'm looking forward to reading more of his expert insights.)
Minnesota
Northwestern
That's right, Northwestern
Other
Cincinnati
Siena
Tulsa
Kansas State
Texas A&M
Northern Iowa
VCU
Western Kentucky
San Diego State
Utah State
Akron
Huh. This isn't going to be one of those "no respect" posts. Certainly the Badgers did not have a banner year in 2009, although advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament ought to count for something.
But for the Badgers to be picked behind seven Big Ten teams and that roster of ESPN off-night fodder shows just how big a hit the program's reputation took last year.
You know what? I sort of like being in this position. It's sort of like the position the football program was in entering this season: overlooked, lots to prove, no coasting on reputation and past success. Time to be hungry.
It's up to you, Bo, show the country we're not the eighth-best team in the Big Ten. Behind Northwestern. Northwestern!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Badger basketball: Not top 50?
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1 comment:
I can't believe it either. You posted this awhile ago and more recently the AP top 25 has come out. Now I don't think Wisconsin deserves to be in the top 25 this year. But I surely think if Wisconsin isn't in there, neither should Michigan, Ohio State or Minnesota! I like being the underdog and all, but this is pretty bad by the nation media to overlook a Bo Ryan squad that has a lot of young talent and will again make the national tournament like they do every single season no matter who makes up the roster slots.
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