As teams begin to cross the 10 game mark in this young season, it gives UDFlyerNation a chance to look at rankings and RPI numbers that are supported by real actual data. While some will argue the RPI doesn't take shape until the new year, I'll argue that the 10 game mark is the starting point to have real discussions using such data.
Also, it's Monday, new rankings came out, and the A-10 had a great weekend. This is perfect timing to take a look at numbers, which are probably at their yearly peak, and let them make the Flyers and A-10 look decent before the spiral of death that is A-10 conference play begins.
Rankings
Flyer opponent and friend of the blog Kansas State makes their debut in the top 25 coming in at 17 and 22 in the AP and coaches respectively. New Mexico takes some of that same mojo and makes their first appearance of the season checking in at #19 in both polls.
As the A-10 continues to have fantastic OOC success, with a banner weekend for the conference, the sucess is recognized as several teams receive votes this week:
-Temple does what the Flyers could not as they defeat Villanova and jump up to #30 this week in the AP, receiving 83 votes.
-Your Dayton Flyers tie the 49ers of Charlotte at #36 as both teams receive 24 votes.
-And a few (literally) folks notice Rhode Island and show a tiny bit of love, placing the Rams at #48 this week with 3 votes.
-Still no sign of the X men after the crosstown shootout win but with big time opportunities coming up vs. Butler (15), LSU (NR) and Wake Forest (receiving a few votes) in the next 4 games, Xavier could vault their way over all of the above A-10 teams and secure a ranked spot for most of conference season. Although with a few losses in these games, the Muskrats will need some big time help in conference to secure another at large bid.
-Do you root for Xavier in the OOC? I sure don't.
-In related news, Dayton plays New Mexico in 2010.
-Gary Parrish brings it strong and makes his case for the Flyers over the Huskies
RPI
As the RPI begins to come together, the Flyers find themselves with four opponents currently in the RPI top 13 including Kansas State, Temple, New Mexico and Villanova.
Five Atlantic 10 teams show up in the RPI top 50 - I'll take that any day. However the A-10 only has 7 in the top 100.
The Flyers themselves have an RPI of 25, which, coincidentally is their SOS rating. A lot of folks were unhappy with our OOC scheduling but if we can finish with a top 40 SOS rating, I'll be thrilled. The SOS will drop big in our next three games but will receive a nice boost heading into conference play with the New Mexico game. Off the top of my head, I think we finish around 34 in (edit: Non Conference) SOS.
We talked a lot about this at the time but winning that Ga. Tech game was HUGE. Imagine we lose that game and play George Mason and Boston U. instead of Nova and KSU. Forget the fact we'd be playing them two times each, a Puerto Rico schedule consisting of those teams absolutely crushes our SOS - something the committee actually pays attention to. Would you rather be 2-1 in Puerto Rico with that previously mentioned schedule, or 1-2 how we actually did it. I'll take the 1-2.
The RPI numbers are young and raw, which means they can change fast but overall I'm not to disappointed with where the Flyers and the rest of the A-10 show up. Now go on and enjoy them before they change!
