Keeping an eye on the national rankings

[orangetennis]

I've always thought a top 25 ranking is more of a distraction than anything else at this point in the season. I'd rather be snubbed and use it as motivation until the end of the year.

[sevelev711]

It would get some butts in the seats, though, which would be nice.

[JD720]

The Colorado voter didn’t even include us.

https://twitter.com/bypaulklee/status/1209162111055613959?s=21

[panther-state]

Didn't include CU either so at least there's that

[rhoho]

It would get some butts in the seats, though, which would be nice.

That is one HUGE piece people over look. When I worked in college athletics a top 25 ranking was huge for attendance and buzz around the program grew 2 fold. For a mid major is makes it even more of a big deal. It also gets their game highlights on ESPN and other national tv shows which in turn helps recruiting and surprisingly helps enrollment at UNI because of more exposure. The national exposure also helps bring attention to the team for the NCAA tournament committee and helps with an at large bid and seeding. Lots of good comes with a top 25 ranking!

[enkamania]

It's fun to see UNI's score in the top 25 ticker on the sports channels.

[orangetennis]

That is one HUGE piece people over look. When I worked in college athletics a top 25 ranking was huge for attendance and buzz around the program grew 2 fold. For a mid major is makes it even more of a big deal. It also gets their game highlights on ESPN and other national tv shows which in turn helps recruiting and surprisingly helps enrollment at UNI because of more exposure. The national exposure also helps bring attention to the team for the NCAA tournament committee and helps with an at large bid and seeding. Lots of good comes with a top 25 ranking!

The first part is true although I'm not sure I agree with the last statement. The committee never misses a chance to discriminate against a mid major, ranking or no ranking.

[enkamania]

The first part is true although I'm not sure I agree with the last statement. The committee never misses a chance to discriminate against a mid major, ranking or no ranking.

Hopefully the committee punishes teams with weak non-con schedule.

[orangetennis]

Hopefully the committee punishes teams with weak non-con schedule.

That won't happen. They'll look at the "entire body of work," which will include their conference schedule. It's one of the major reasons P5 schools don't schedule tough non conference games, because they don't have to. They know they'll get all they need in conference to "prove" themselves to the committee.

[CyCarp]

The first part is true although I'm not sure I agree with the last statement. The committee never misses a chance to discriminate against a mid major, ranking or no ranking.

Yea, didn't Murray St 2 or 3 years ago go into their conference tourney ranked - then they lost the championship and got snubbed?

[rhoho]

Yea, didn't Murray St 2 or 3 years ago go into their conference tourney ranked - then they lost the championship and got snubbed?

2014-15 season. Best win out of conference was Illinois state. Their OOC strength of schedule was horrible

[GonzoCat]

Being ranked doesn't help with enrollment. UNI's enrollment is at a 40 year low and it's not because we haven't been ranked lately.

[CyCarp]

Being ranked doesn't help with enrollment. UNI's enrollment is at a 40 year low and it's not because we haven't been ranked lately.

Of course that's not the reason enrollment is down, but to think successful athletics (maybe not just being ranked) doesn't help is just silly.

[Wxcpanther]

Of course that's not the reason enrollment is down, but to think successful athletics (maybe not just being ranked) doesn't help is just silly.

Enrollment made a huge jump after the sweet 16 season

[desertcat]

We started our run of NCAA tournaments in 2004, sweet 16 was 2010.

UNI enrollment per the Rod Library website:

• 2004 . . . . 12824
• 2005 . . . . 12513
• 2006 . . . . 12260
• 2007 . . . . 12609
• 2008 . . . . 12908
• 2009 . . . . 13080
• 2010 . . . . 13201
• 2011 . . . . 13168
• 2012 . . . . 12273
• 2013 . . . . 12159
• 2014 . . . . 11928
• 2015 . . . . 11981
• 2016 . . . . 11905
• 2017 . . . . 11907