Hoops: Breaking down the media poll

Tuesday morning is Top 10 day, beginning with the media poll. Since the voters are asked to rank 12 teams, it seems best to list them that way:

  1. Carleton (264 points): Pass ... wouldn't want anyone to get upset.
  2. Brandon (233): The point totals suggest that in many minds, the Bobcats and Dinos are 2 and 2-A in the country and either is capable of winning the national championship in most seasons. How's that for diplomacy?
  3. Calgary (226): The Dinos end their regular season with a two-game trip to Saskatchewan this weekend, which isn't a bad way to end the regular season. (Huskies star Andrew Spagrud needs 24 points to break the Canada West scoring record.) Interesting tidbit from a Canadian Press feature on Henry Bekkering: He has Dutch citizenship, which could help a European team fit him in under the import rules.
  4. Toronto (173): The Varsity Blues got great work out of their fifth-year senior guard, Mike DeGiorgio, and that makes them a tough out in any game. Their move up to No. 4 ahead of Acadia was closely contested, though. The coaches' poll, in fact, has Acadia in this spot, followed by Toronto.
  5. Acadia (165): Having a just a single game hurt coach Les Berry's Axemen in the polls.
  6. Cape Breton (128): Squeak past Ottawa, which lost twice in a span of eight days to a pair of top-5 teams. Their next big game is Feb. 15 vs. St. FX, which might be the darkhorse down East.

    The Capers are eighth, according to the coaches.
  7. Ottawa (125): Having Queen's come in on Friday is probably a good game to help fire up the Gee-Gees after a home loss.
  8. Windsor (112): The Lancers seem to have restored some semblance of order to the top of the OUA West. Keep an eye on their game Wednesday at Guelph, since the Gryphons could be finding a second wind.
  9. UBC (94): The ranking only comes into play for the T-Birds if they end up needing a wild-card berth in the post-season. They'll face Fraser Valley on the weekend in a first-round playoff preview.
  10. Alberta (78): Winning back-to-backs on the road got the Golden Bears here, which shows us media guys don't get too hung up on the RPI, which has the U of A third in the country.
  11. Laval (74): Only heavy snow or a great shooting night from the Stingers' Damian Buckley will keep the Rouge et Or from pulling off a home win over Concordia.
  12. Brock (17): The Badgers have only one opponent left who's above .500 in OUA West play, but consistency does not seem to be their thing.

Also receiving votes: St. Francis Xavier 10; Concordia 5; Simon Fraser 4; Queen's 3; Saint Mary's 2; Saskatchewan 2; Victoria 1.

Here's the coaches' poll:

  1. Carleton
  2. Brandon
  3. Calgary
  4. Acadia
  5. Toronto
  6. Ottawa
  7. UBC
  8. Cape Breton
  9. Windsor
  10. Brock

Also receiving votes: Laval (82), Alberta (67), Concordia (11), Saint Mary's (7), Guelph (2).

Next PostNewer Post Previous PostOlder Post Home

0 comments:

Post a Comment