Like it or not, NU will be ranked tomorrow
- Thread starter SmellyCat
- Start date
Yeah, at some point this lack of recognition is unfair and hurtful to the players.
I don't think that the committee has a choice other than to rank the CATS. The only question is what number will be in front of the cats N. With only two weeks left in the regular BIG season there are only two teams with 20 wins on the season. Purdue and our CATS. What an amazing year.
That’s the next milestone: win a game as a ranked team. We’ll probably have to win both to stay in the rankings but even going 1-1 would be unprecedented for us.
I might be one of the few who though it was "whatever" that they weren't ranked going into the week. Maybe NU caught Purdue on a down day. After this week.. beating #14 Indiana and a very solid Iowa team, there is no doubt in my mind we get ranked. My bet is #18.
Hmmm...... if things go as expected tomorrow, maybe saying "previously unranked Northwestern" might make some feel more comfortable?
Even though it's not an option we should decline it... let them play out the remaining games with a chip on their shoulder.
It all depends upon what happened to the teams ranked ahead of NU last week. Good news: Florida Atlantic (#25) lost. But Providence, NC State, TCU (Split), San Diego State, UConn, Iowa State (split),Creighton (split), and St. Mary's all held serve by winning or losing to ranked teams.
No disrespect if NU isn't ranked.
No disrespect if NU isn't ranked.
I am 100% positive that NU will jump a lot of those teams that held serve. They didn't have far to go to get ranked anyway, but given their last three wins - even though all were at home - there is just no way not to do it.
As for the chip on the shoulder, I was personally very worried about the Indiana game because of just coming down from the high of Purdue. Instead, they seemed to keep their heads about them really well, and came out against Indiana ready to rock. True, the second half wasn't good, but they scored when they needed to. This is not a team that needs to worry about no longer having a chip on its shoulder. They will win games because they're good, and not because of some extra motivation.
Now, if they keep winning and somehow get a 7-seed in The Dance, we can talk about chips.
As for the chip on the shoulder, I was personally very worried about the Indiana game because of just coming down from the high of Purdue. Instead, they seemed to keep their heads about them really well, and came out against Indiana ready to rock. True, the second half wasn't good, but they scored when they needed to. This is not a team that needs to worry about no longer having a chip on its shoulder. They will win games because they're good, and not because of some extra motivation.
Now, if they keep winning and somehow get a 7-seed in The Dance, we can talk about chips.
I've shifted to worrying about injuries to Buie or Audige now... I don't care about rankings honestly it's all about March Madness now.
Yeah, I know that feeling. Every time one of them picks up a second foul, my immediate thought is - can NU play without that guy? Tonight they played great without Audige, but if both are in foul trouble, you're counting on I guess Barnhizer to be the closest thing to a point guard. I like Barnhizer, but not as the focal point of the defense.
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They were playing so well as a team I was kinda happy Audige was able to rest a bit
It is not the committee that will rank the Cats but rather sportswriters and or coaches. The committee is more involved in placement within the dance card
I am one who is fine with being unranked as it keeps a chip on their shoulder. Often when we see them getting ranked and then having a letdown. That said, also fine with them being ranked and at this point, it is getting harder and harder to ignore them
I think we could be as high as 17th. We got a lot of eyebrows raised this week. Oh and last week too!
Surprised no one has mentioned the closing comment on the NUSports.com video summary: "Will the next step be Top 25? We wil hear tomorrow."
Count me among those who wanted to fly under the radar. But after looking at post-game photos on social media, it’s clear that the players want the recognition. So now they get to prove they can handle the pressure of playing on the front foot as a ranked squad. I’m guessing they can handle it. Here’s to finding out.
Thanks for the reporting.
As commented elsewhere:
Like the ranking since if any of our continuing games are against unranked opponents we will at least merit national attention now on the ESPN Top 25 scroll - assuming we hang onto a Top 25 ranking.
Also like the fact that we are not at the very edge of 25 so that there is still some room to drop and still stay in the Top 25 should we lose a game.