Flush with excitement after the Pitt win, I submitted by BE ballot. Pitt didn’t move from its spot for me. Turns out the other voters agreed, and Pitt moved to #4 in the full Power Poll. Here’s my ballot and reasons.
- UConn — No reason to change this.
- Villanova — Strong game to beat Oklahoma
- Louisville — Only 3 games so far, so arguably coasting on expectations
- Pitt — That Auburn win was a stunner in terms of being an utter and complete blowout
- Georgetown — Strong win out in the Pacific Northwest over Oregon.
- Syracuse — Actually had to comeback to win in OT versus Manhattan, but still won and then blew out TCU
- Marquette — A bad loss against Nebraska, but that was after a gruelling run in Alaska. They were due for the letdown
- WVU — Not that impressed by squeaking past the Bonnies and beating up on a Div. III team, but I’m not sold on the teams below
- Rutgers — Strong win over Temple, and then a quality win over an underrated WCC team
- Cinci — The Memphis loss was tough, they fought back in the game. It’s that Dayton loss that kills them. They have some serious issues on the glass.
- ND — Clearly not a NCAA team. Another loss to another potential bubble team at home. Blew a late lead. Simply no heart.
- St. John’s — Losing to the Pride of Hofstra. Oof.
- Providence — Losses to Witchita St. and URI. This team couldn’t afford to lose these games in the non-con.
- DePaul — Good win against perennial mid-major scary team, Creighton, and a loss to Bucknell, which now is nothing to be ashamed of.
- USF — Losses to Texas A&M-CC and Florida Int’l, as the team gets even thinner puts this team in a deeper hole.
- Seton Hall — Latest rumored replacement for Coach Orr — Bob Huggins.
Actually had a chance to see some more of the BE teams play this past week. Pitt is going to be in the middle of the conference and in the middle of most games. I apologize in advance for the wishy-washy cliche, but a bounce of the ball one way or another will likely make the difference.
