Ranked?

[achrist70]

I kind of think that we need two more wins, but do we have any chance of being ranked when the poll is released tomorrow.

12-1, 11 in a row, good wins over Iowa State, Siena, Missouri State

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: Ranked?

In short, no, I don't think so. Too many teams to jump over, and UNI hasn't played any games on national tv yet. If UNI goes 2-0 this week, then I can definitely see it happening.

[TCfan25]

Re: Ranked?

I wish I could say yes but UNI only recieved only 8 votes last week in the AP. I think we should be rated but more than likely we won't be. I think there are 2 many teams in front of us along with alot of people being down on the Valley this year.

[jegbomb52]

Re: Ranked?

If we can go win both games this week (really putting cart in front of horse) next Monday would be more realistic but that is a long way away.

More importantly going 2-0 this week regardless of a ranking would be huge in the grand scheme of things for MVC standings.

[06panther10]

Re: Ranked?

Yeah, I pretty much agree. I think we are most definitely worthy of being ranked, but we weren't getting enough votes last week to jump in there this week. Another undefeated week, and I think we will be in there.

[ceaser150]

Re: Ranked?

Probably best that we aren't ranked this week. With 2 really tough road tests this week, I'd rather wait to see what happens here first. Traditionally, we lose right after we hit the polls. Win both this week, and it would be a crime if we aren't ranked.

[Newshound]

Re: Ranked?

There is only one AP voter in the entire state of Iowa -- John Bohnenkamp from the Burlington Hawk Eye. I know on his ballot last week that he had the Panthers 25th. In fact, I think there were only three people who had UNI on its ballot -- Bohnenkamp, Seth Davis (SI/CBS) and a writer from the Tampa newspaper.

I agree with the earlier posts. Look for UNI to have about 20 to 25 votes tomorrow when the polls come out. Win at SIU and Illinois State and they'll be very close to breaking into the top 25.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: Ranked?

Going 2-0 this week is going to be difficult at best. This week with Missouri State, Illinois State, and SIU should be the most difficult stretch of the season, as these 3 will be in the top 5 in the conference (and 2 of the games this week being on the road). 1-1 on this road trip would be a quality stretch, as a 4-1 record to start conference play against 3 of the top 5 would still keep UNI at the top of the Valley. PS- I'd love to go 2-0!

[06panther10]

Re: Ranked?

Probably best that we aren't ranked this week. With 2 really tough road tests this week, I'd rather wait to see what happens here first. Traditionally, we lose right after we hit the polls. Win both this week, and it would be a crime if we aren't ranked.

"traditionally"....What, you mean those two times?

[06panther10]

Re: Ranked?

Going 2-0 this week is going to be difficult at best. This week with Missouri State, Illinois State, and SIU should be the most difficult stretch of the season, as these 3 will be in the top 5 in the conference (and 2 of the games this week being on the road). 1-1 on this road trip would be a quality stretch, as a 4-1 record to start conference play against 3 of the top 5 would still keep UNI at the top of the Valley. PS- I'd love to go 2-0!

Yeah, I'd be very happy going 1-1 in the next two games.

[Newshound]

Re: Ranked?

Granted, all the road games are tough in this league, but UNI's next three road games are brutal (at S. Illinois; at Illinois State; at Wichita State).

The schedule is much more favorable in February.

[NorthernIowaBacker]

Re: Ranked?

I would think we pick up some of the Wichita State and Missouri State votes. What is going to help is there are certainly teams in the top 18-30 that are going to drop. Temple getting destroyed at HOME should boot them. Northwestern will fall out. Washington lost and will drop a bunch probably.

We have three wins added since the last poll, one being at Creighton and one against a Top 35 team today.

[Newshound]

Re: Ranked?

I agree with all that, but as pointed out above, UNI hasn't been on national TV yet. A lot of these national voters are really out of the loop when it comes to UNI. There are only a select few who vote that have seen UNI in person.

[UNI Fight]

Re: Ranked?

No, because analysts and the media see our name and say "NO RANK FOR YOU"! I'm watching the So. Ill and Ill State game on ESPNU right now and these analysts are almost reluctant to admit that Northern Iowa is the leader right now, so far they have said that SIU was picked to win the valley and look like they should as of right now and they suggested the Valley will be between Wichita State, SIU and Illinois State. They mentioned how Illinois State was upset in overtime in the Valley Tournament last year too, "A real heartbreaker for ISU last year, getting upset by Northern Iowa." Last time I checked UNI was the 1 seed. When's the last time the 1 seed winning was an upset?? Prepare for ESPN analysts all month to understate UNI's accomplishments.

[NorthernIowaBacker]

Re: Ranked?

with alot of people being down on the Valley this year.

Like who? I believe we're second or third best all-time from a out of conference record standpoint. Have several pretty big wins.

ESPN folks really bragging up the Valley during the Redbird-Saluki game. Top 10 conference nationally right now.

In my opinion this has been a great year for the Valley thus far. I think you'll see the conference seperate with the top teams being UNI, SIU, ISU, Mo State, WSU. Althought WSU is pretty young still...I believe. Missouri State, Wichita State, UNI all getting Top 25 votes.