Did I just read the college basketball preview of the top 64 teams in ESPN The Magazine and not see MSU listed?
ESPN The Mag
- Thread starter missouridawg
- Start date
Did I just read the college basketball preview of the top 64 teams in ESPN The Magazine and not see MSU listed?
<div class="autoPageHeader"> <h1 class="autoPageTitle"><font size="3">Unless I am blind, we are ranked 18th in the preseason AP and 19th in the ESPN /USA today poll. Not to be mentioned in the latest edition of ESPN magazine, is inexcusible. I will try to be patient as I learn new social skills required to post on this site.</font>
2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings - Preseason</h1> <div> </div> </div> <div class="sp-col1"> <div class="sp-col1-inner"> <div class="autoPageNav"> <div style="FLOAT: left"> Season: <font color="#000000">2002-03</font> | <font color="#000000">2003-04</font> | <font color="#000000">2004-05</font> | <font color="#000000">2005-06</font> | <font color="#000000">2006-07</font> | <font color="#000000">2007-08</font> | <font color="#000000">2008-09</font> | 2009-10
<div style="WIDTH: 550px"> <div style="FLOAT: left"> Week: </div> <div style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FLOAT: left"> Preseason </div> </div> </div> <div style="FLOAT: right"> Other Polls Index ESPN/USA Today Associated Press ESPN.com Power Rankings InsideRPI Rankings <div class="widget-container">
<font color="#000000">Add Widget</font> </div> </div> <div style="CLEAR: both"></div> </div> <div style="WIDTH: 350px; FLOAT: left"> <table class="tablehead" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td>AP Top 25</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 1. <font color="#000000">Kansas</font> (55) 0-0 1,612</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td> 2. <font color="#000000">Michigan State</font> (5) 0-0 1,515</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 3. <font color="#000000">Texas</font> (1) 0-0 1,397</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td> 4. <font color="#000000">Kentucky</font> (3) 0-0 1,372</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 5. <font color="#000000">Villanova</font> 0-0 1,347</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td> 6. <font color="#000000">North Carolina</font> (1) 0-0 1,320</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 7. <font color="#000000">Purdue</font> 0-0 1,284</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td> 8. <font color="#000000">West Virginia</font> 0-0 1,115</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 9. <font color="#000000">Duke</font> 0-0 1,064</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>10. <font color="#000000">Tennessee</font> 0-0 897</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>11. <font color="#000000">Butler</font> 0-0 864</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>12. <font color="#000000">Connecticut</font> 0-0 844</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>13. <font color="#000000">California</font> 0-0 800</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>14. <font color="#000000">Washington</font> 0-0 776</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>15. <font color="#000000">Michigan</font> 0-0 578</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>16. <font color="#000000">Ohio State</font> 0-0 465</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>17. <font color="#000000">Oklahoma</font> 0-0 410</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>18. <font color="#000000">Mississippi State</font> 0-0 393</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>19. <font color="#000000">Louisville</font> 0-0 335</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>20. <font color="#000000">Georgetown</font> 0-0 326</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>21. <font color="#000000">Dayton</font> 0-0 318</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>22. <font color="#000000">Georgia Tech</font> 0-0 301</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>23. <font color="#000000">Illinois</font> 0-0 282</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>24. <font color="#000000">Clemson</font> 0-0 217</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>25. <font color="#000000">Minnesota</font> 0-0 172</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> <div class="bi"> Others Receiving Votes </div>Maryland 171, Siena 112, Notre Dame 107, Florida State 92, Vanderbilt 90, Syracuse 83, Oklahoma State 65, UCLA 63, Florida 53, Wake Forest 50, Xavier 42, Gonzaga 37, South Carolina 28, Kansas State 24, Brigham Young 21, Northern Iowa 16, Tulsa 16, Mississippi 15, Texas A&M 10, Missouri 8, Boston College 6, Pittsburgh 4, Western Kentucky 2, Utah State 2, Virginia Commonwealth 2, Old Dominion 1, Holy Cross 1. </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" align="middle"> <td><font color="#000000">Complete Rankings</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div style="WIDTH: 350px; FLOAT: right"> <table class="tablehead" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td>ESPN/USA Today Poll</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 1. <font color="#000000">Kansas</font> (27) 0-0 770</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td> 2. <font color="#000000">Michigan State</font> (3) 0-0 732</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 3. <font color="#000000">Texas</font> 0-0 676</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td> 4. <font color="#000000">North Carolina</font> (1) 0-0 653</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 5. <font color="#000000">Kentucky</font> 0-0 635</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td> 6. <font color="#000000">Villanova</font> 0-0 620</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 7. <font color="#000000">Purdue</font> 0-0 586</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td> 8. <font color="#000000">Duke</font> 0-0 528</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> 9. <font color="#000000">West Virginia</font> 0-0 501</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>10. <font color="#000000">Butler</font> 0-0 408</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>11. <font color="#000000">Tennessee</font> 0-0 406</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>12. <font color="#000000">California</font> 0-0 370</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>13. <font color="#000000">Washington</font> 0-0 364</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>14. <font color="#000000">Connecticut</font> 0-0 361</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>15. <font color="#000000">Michigan</font> 0-0 279</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>16. <font color="#000000">Oklahoma</font> 0-0 244</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>17. <font color="#000000">Ohio State</font> 0-0 241</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>18. <font color="#000000">Minnesota</font> 0-0 151</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>19. <font color="#000000">Mississippi State</font> 0-0 149</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>20. <font color="#000000">Georgia Tech</font> 0-0 136</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>21. <font color="#000000">Georgetown</font> 0-0 134</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>22. <font color="#000000">Dayton</font> 0-0 130</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>23. <font color="#000000">Louisville</font> 0-0 123</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow"> <td>24. <font color="#000000">Clemson</font> 0-0 114</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td>25. <font color="#000000">Syracuse</font> 0-0 111</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow"> <td> <div class="bi"> Others Receiving Votes </div>Maryland 100, Illinois 83, Siena 72, UCLA 59, Vanderbilt 38, Oklahoma State 29, Missouri 28, Xavier 25, Gonzaga 24, Notre Dame 22, USC 22, Pittsburgh 19, Tulsa 17, Kansas State 16, Brigham Young 16, Florida State 15, Florida 13, Wake Forest 13, San Diego State 8, Creighton 7, Boston College 4, Texas A&M 4, Southern Illinois 3, Utah State 3, Cornell 3, Memphis 3, Mississippi 3, UNLV 2, South Carolina 1, Northern Iowa 1. </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" align="middle"> <td><font color="#000000">Complete Rankings</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> </div> </div>
2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings - Preseason</h1> <div> </div> </div> <div class="sp-col1"> <div class="sp-col1-inner"> <div class="autoPageNav"> <div style="FLOAT: left"> Season: <font color="#000000">2002-03</font> | <font color="#000000">2003-04</font> | <font color="#000000">2004-05</font> | <font color="#000000">2005-06</font> | <font color="#000000">2006-07</font> | <font color="#000000">2007-08</font> | <font color="#000000">2008-09</font> | 2009-10
<div style="WIDTH: 550px"> <div style="FLOAT: left"> Week: </div> <div style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FLOAT: left"> Preseason </div> </div> </div> <div style="FLOAT: right"> Other Polls Index ESPN/USA Today Associated Press ESPN.com Power Rankings InsideRPI Rankings <div class="widget-container">
I honestly think it's an error on the Mag's behalf.... There's no way they legitimately left us off of there top 64.
Already fired one off to them earlier tonight.
<div id="post_message_91234"> Just wanted to everyone to know that in an article that was written by four different writers, we were left out of "their" top 64 teams. I've already sent in a complaint. Feel free to do so as well. Here's mine:
I'm writing in regards to the Split Takes article in the most recent issue of ESPN the Magazine. As a fan of Mississippi State, when I opened the college basketball preview,I could not wait to see where my team was listed. After looking over the list of your top 64 teams around twenty times, I was still unable to find the Bulldogs listed anywhere. I looked everywhere for a way to contact Elena Bergeron, Matt Giles, Ian Gordon, Dan Hodes, or (more importantly) their editor with no success. This is the only outlet that I was able to come across.
My question to ESPN the Magazine would be how do you leave a team that is a consensus top 20, that returns their top nine players from an SEC tournament championship squad out of your top 64? I would then mention to the writers that we have also added two(assuming the NCAA deems one eligible) possible first round draftees in John Reik and Renardo Sidney. And lastly I would mention the reigning NCAA defensive player of the year, who will more than likely break the NCAA career blocks record - Jarvis Varnado. Was this a slight to my alma mater or were the FOUR contributing writers so inept at their jobs to miss out on a team ranked 19th in YOUR own ESPN/USA poll. Maybe it was a jab at the SEC? No. Not with Kentucky(#4), Tennessee(#22), OLE MISS(#24), Vandy(#31), Florida(#32), S. Carolina(#48), and Arkansas(#62) all listed. My only guess is that your organization (ONCE AGAIN) can't figure out the difference between Mississippi State and Mississippi. It's difinitely not the first time. Well, the only thing I can say is if you haven't noticed them yet, you will soon enough. I'd love to see a retraction in the next issue and receive a legitimate explaination by email. I'm seriously considering canceling my subscription.
Thanks for your time(whoever),
bhamdawgfan </div>
<div id="post_message_91234"> Just wanted to everyone to know that in an article that was written by four different writers, we were left out of "their" top 64 teams. I've already sent in a complaint. Feel free to do so as well. Here's mine:
I'm writing in regards to the Split Takes article in the most recent issue of ESPN the Magazine. As a fan of Mississippi State, when I opened the college basketball preview,I could not wait to see where my team was listed. After looking over the list of your top 64 teams around twenty times, I was still unable to find the Bulldogs listed anywhere. I looked everywhere for a way to contact Elena Bergeron, Matt Giles, Ian Gordon, Dan Hodes, or (more importantly) their editor with no success. This is the only outlet that I was able to come across.
My question to ESPN the Magazine would be how do you leave a team that is a consensus top 20, that returns their top nine players from an SEC tournament championship squad out of your top 64? I would then mention to the writers that we have also added two(assuming the NCAA deems one eligible) possible first round draftees in John Reik and Renardo Sidney. And lastly I would mention the reigning NCAA defensive player of the year, who will more than likely break the NCAA career blocks record - Jarvis Varnado. Was this a slight to my alma mater or were the FOUR contributing writers so inept at their jobs to miss out on a team ranked 19th in YOUR own ESPN/USA poll. Maybe it was a jab at the SEC? No. Not with Kentucky(#4), Tennessee(#22), OLE MISS(#24), Vandy(#31), Florida(#32), S. Carolina(#48), and Arkansas(#62) all listed. My only guess is that your organization (ONCE AGAIN) can't figure out the difference between Mississippi State and Mississippi. It's difinitely not the first time. Well, the only thing I can say is if you haven't noticed them yet, you will soon enough. I'd love to see a retraction in the next issue and receive a legitimate explaination by email. I'm seriously considering canceling my subscription.
Thanks for your time(whoever),
bhamdawgfan </div>
While I normally think trying to say why not us to an organization such as ESPN is lame, because as far as they are concerned we are just a bump in the road they have to hit everynow and then. The only ESPN guys that consisently say good things about State/Starkville are Brad Nessler and Jimmy Dykes. With that said, I think that is a well written response that I hope somebody actually reads and gets pointed out to someone higher who has a little accountability. I would be interested to know their response if they actually have one.
Herbstreit and Blackledge have both said good things about us whenever they've come (I realize for Blackledge this has only been once).
Katz has been behind us on the Sidney thing the whole time.
Katz has been behind us on the Sidney thing the whole time.
Sure looks like Gary Parrish and the sports writers for the LA Times may have had some input in that article...pure garbage.
Agreed on Katz. I believe at one point a few months back he maintained we were a top 10 team (insert Ole Miss joke here) with Sidney. I dont believe we are a top 10 team right now even with Sidney, but Katz has given us props.
Agreed on Katz. I believe at one point a few months back he maintained we were a top 10 team (insert Ole Miss joke here) with Sidney. I dont believe we are a top 10 team right now even with Sidney, but Katz has given us props.
<span style="font-style: italic;">It's</span> difinitely <span style="font-style: italic;">not the first time. Well, the only thing I can say is if you haven't noticed them yet, you will soon enough. I'd love to see a retraction in the next issue and receive a legitimate</span> explaination <span style="font-style: italic;">by email. I'm seriously considering canceling my subscription.</span>
I'm generally not one for grammar, but before you go representing our great University and Institution of Higher Learning, maybe you would proofread or run a simple spell check?? I'm not speaking for everyone, but I sure would appreciate it.
I'm generally not one for grammar, but before you go representing our great University and Institution of Higher Learning, maybe you would proofread or run a simple spell check?? I'm not speaking for everyone, but I sure would appreciate it.
I'll be glad to post a response, but I doubt that I receive one. If anyone can find a direct e-mail address of an editor, post it and I'll resend it directly to them. The only outlet I could find to critique an article was [email protected].
As far as Katz goes, I almost mentioned him in a positive light, but I felt the e-mail was getting too lengthy. Wanted to keep it as short as possible in order for someone to actually read it.
As far as Katz goes, I almost mentioned him in a positive light, but I felt the e-mail was getting too lengthy. Wanted to keep it as short as possible in order for someone to actually read it.
"Ole Miss" holds just about the same slot you would expect MSU to hold according to all of the other polls out there (maybe a little lower), behind Kentucky and Tennessee but ahead of everyone else in the conference. No one would expect UM to be in that spot. They got us confused or mixed together and after making the list realized they didn't know anything about this Mississippi team so they looked up "Ole Miss" and pulled some info. They probably had different people making the list and writing the info anyway.
You can pat yourself on the back if you like, but it is the only explanation for MSU not being on that list and UM being on that list (at 24 at least).
You can pat yourself on the back if you like, but it is the only explanation for MSU not being on that list and UM being on that list (at 24 at least).
<table width="550" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="viHeaderNorm">
</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">When Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins opted to return to school, there was no doubt the Jayhawks would be the nation's pre-season No. 1. KU returns everybody from last year's squad that lost to Michigan St. in the Sweet 16.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">2</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">This team won 27 games even though Robbie Hummel struggled all season with a fractured vertebrae. The Boilers lost to UConn in the Sweet 16, but they look like a Final Four squad with studs like Hummel, JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, not to mention perfect role players such as Chris Kramer and Keaton Grant.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">3</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">Tom Izzo once again demonstrated why he's one of the best coaches in NCAA Tournament history by guiding last year's club to a runner-up finish behind North Carolina. The Spartans should be even better this time around thanks to veterans Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">4</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">Just win, baby. That's what the people in Kentucky want from John Calipari, the only coach to ever have a pair of Final Four teams taken out of the record books. His move from Memphis to UK netted elite recruits like John Wall, Eric Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins for the Wildcats. Couple those freshmen with Patrick Patterson and Perry Stevenson and you have a viable national-title contender.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">5</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">Rick Barnes has eight of his top 10 scorers returning, in addition to a stellar recruiting class that includes Avery Bradley, who many pegged as the country's top recruit. Florida transfer Jai Lucas will also join the mix. Senior swingman Damion James (15.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG) is the heart and soul of this team and is on the cusp of becoming the third player in program history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">6</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">After its first trip to the Final Four since 1985, Villanova has three starters returning, including senior guard Scottie Reynolds and his 1,620 career points. Jay Wright brought in a recruiting haul that was considered one of the nation's best and Duke transfer Taylor King is now eligible.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">7</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">The defending champs lost four starters but the cupboard isn't bare by any means. In fact, UNC might have the country's best frontcourt with senior Deon Thompson, sophomore Ed Davis and sophomore Tyler Zeller. Marcus Ginyard is now healthy and is one of the ACC's premier defenders on the perimeter. The biggest question is who will emerge as the starting point guard.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">8</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">With Da'Sean Butler (17.1 PPG) and Devin Ebanks (10.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG), Bob Huggins' team has the potential to beat anybody on a given night. Joe Mazzulla is now healthy and juco sensation Casey Mitchell is ready to start right away.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">9</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">The Huskies lost a bunch of talent, but sophomore guard Kemba Walker is poised for a breakout campaign. Jerome Dyson is a savvy veteran that's healthy after going down with a knee injury last year. Stanley Robinson is a stud in the paint and will get help from freshman Alex Oriakhi.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">10</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">Brad Stevens returns his entire team that won 26 games in 2008-2009. Matt Howard was the Horizon League's Player of the Year and should only be better in his junior season. Ditto for swingman Gordon Hayward, who averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a freshman. The Bulldogs are stacked and will be this season's best mid-major squad.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">11</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">This ranking might be a tad high for the Blue Devils because they have major questions in the backcourt. However, Kyle Singler is one of the ACC's premier players and we know Coach K is one of the country's best coaches. Add Jon Scheyer to the mix along with freshman Ryan Kelly and Duke has as good a shot as most to get out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">12</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">All five starters are back for the defending SEC Tournament champs. If freshman Renardo Sidney gets cleared by the NCAA, this ranking might not be high enough. Jarvis Varnado is 19 blocked shots away from breaking Shaq's SEC career record. Rick Stansbury has a plethora of 3-point shooters, including long-range specialist Ravern Johnson, whose high-arching jumper reminds me of World B. Free.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">13</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">This just in: John Beilein can coach. Following a 11-year hiatus from the Big Dance, the Wolverines finally made it back last season. They won't miss out again anytime soon. Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims pose one of the best inside-outside combos in the Big Ten.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">14</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">Other than center Jordan Wilkes, Mike Montgomery's squad returns intact. Jerome Randle is arguably the best guard in the Pac 10, while Theo Robertson and Patrick Christopher are also big-time scorers.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">15</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">Lorenzo Romar must find a way to replace post presence Jon Brockman and his 14.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. However, he has explosive point guard Isaiah Thomas back to run the show, in addition to senior forward Quincy Pondexter.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">16</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
</td> <td class="viCellBg2 cellBorderR1 cellTextNorm padLeft">Nothing went right for the Rebels in 2008-2009 when they saw three starters go down with season-ending injuries. But this allowed Terrico White to develop and he's now joined by Chris Warren and Eniel Polynice in what will be a dynamic backcourt. Andy Kennedy once again landed the best prep player in Memphis and Reginald Buckner should contribute right away.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
**B.E.'s Bonus Nuggets**</p>
--Florida International head coach Isiah Thomas made his first splash on the recruiting front when he garnered a verbal commitment from 2010-2011 class member Dominique Ferguson. The six-foot, nine-inch forward from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia is the 40th-best player in America, according to Rivals.</p>
--Iowa junior forward Devon Archie is out 4-7 weeks with a shoulder injury. The six-foot, nine-inch forward is expected to be a key contributor after transferring to the Hawkeyes from the juco ranks.</p>
--Ole Miss and Mississippi St. made our first Sweet 16 rankings ahead of Tennessee. The Vols are probably more talented than both SEC West squads but until Bruce Pearl's bunch develops some discipline, starts to use better shot selection and play smarter overall, I will have no trust in the Vols to beat teams that they aren't superior to athletically.</p>
--St. John's forward Anthony Mason Jr. is out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury. He missed most of last season and redshirted after undergoing foot surgery. Norm Roberts, who is already on the hot seat, will need Mason back as soon as possible.</p>
Sweet 16 Preseason Rankings
</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viBodyBorderNorm"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="viSubHeader1 cellBorderL1 headerTextNorm padCenter">Rank</td> <td class="viSubHeader1 cellBorderL1 headerTextNorm padCenter">School</td> <td class="viSubHeader1 cellBorderR1 headerTextNorm padCenter">Skinny</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">1</td> <td class="viCellBg1 cellBorderL1 cellTextNorm padCenter">
**B.E.'s Bonus Nuggets**</p>
--Florida International head coach Isiah Thomas made his first splash on the recruiting front when he garnered a verbal commitment from 2010-2011 class member Dominique Ferguson. The six-foot, nine-inch forward from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia is the 40th-best player in America, according to Rivals.</p>
--Iowa junior forward Devon Archie is out 4-7 weeks with a shoulder injury. The six-foot, nine-inch forward is expected to be a key contributor after transferring to the Hawkeyes from the juco ranks.</p>
--Ole Miss and Mississippi St. made our first Sweet 16 rankings ahead of Tennessee. The Vols are probably more talented than both SEC West squads but until Bruce Pearl's bunch develops some discipline, starts to use better shot selection and play smarter overall, I will have no trust in the Vols to beat teams that they aren't superior to athletically.</p>
--St. John's forward Anthony Mason Jr. is out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury. He missed most of last season and redshirted after undergoing foot surgery. Norm Roberts, who is already on the hot seat, will need Mason back as soon as possible.</p>
We are still ranked higher than you in that one ranking. You really think we went from #12 in your quoted poll to less than #64 in ESPN the Mag? But UM just happened to grab a spot as the third highest ranked team in the SEC (a spot State, almost?, universally holds)?
I will admit that I haven't seen you ranked that high yet. I've mostly just seen the two main polls (where ya'll are in the additional votes section) and whatever gets posted here, like this one. I would expect UM to make a top 64 ranking. But not ahead of State. And since State isn't even on the poll, it's not hard to figure out what happened.
My point was that they mixed us together. Whoever made the poll got MSU and UM mixed up or thought we were the same team, etc etc, and just went with UM. It happens all the time. Like when the "State" coach assaulted a cabbie or "UM" hired Florida's offensive coordinator.
I will admit that I haven't seen you ranked that high yet. I've mostly just seen the two main polls (where ya'll are in the additional votes section) and whatever gets posted here, like this one. I would expect UM to make a top 64 ranking. But not ahead of State. And since State isn't even on the poll, it's not hard to figure out what happened.
My point was that they mixed us together. Whoever made the poll got MSU and UM mixed up or thought we were the same team, etc etc, and just went with UM. It happens all the time. Like when the "State" coach assaulted a cabbie or "UM" hired Florida's offensive coordinator.