🏀 KuBuckets Archive

I have a question. How important is it really to have the # 1 ranking in the polls for us in the regular season? I mean what purpose does it serve? True maybe it's good to be in this spot later in the season, for seeding purposes in the NCAA'S - -but other then that, what purpose does it serve? - - how does it help us during the season other them what I mentioned? - -OH sure ya we as fans get to thump our chest, boast, what have you about being ranked # 1 but other then that - -does it benefit us/the team on the floor? That's about it as far as I can tell.

Having said that, I see and I'm not really pointing to our group BUT even other KU fans moan, whimper, bitch, if we are not, they thinking we are getting shafted some how? -- my question is WHY you getting your britches in a knot? Who cares? - -unless it benefits us some how when we play, then why trip? - -We are constantly in the top 10 at the worst for GOD knows how long being ranked #1 during the most part of the season gives us no advantage on the court what so ever - - but yet people wanna bitch because we might not be. It's in the end THAT'S where you or when you wanna be # 1 right?

I tell you what being ranked # 1 in the season WILL do: - - what it does is put even a bigger bulls eye on our chest for opponents - -gives them more motivation as if they need it when they play us. For a lot of these teams when they play against us, a lot of these teams don't make the NCAA'S . - -we are their NCAA game, how many teams circle their schedule against us as their game of the year, cause we have Kansas written on the uniform.

Being # 1 early in the year is not anything special other then for word of mouth purpose only, towards the end again for seeding - -great, but my words for some people DON'T TRIP it's all good I have yet to see any advantage where being ranked # 1 in the season helps us on the court. If anything it works against us. Another thing I believe I don't feel being ranked # 1 gives us an advantage as far as recruiting goes. Recruits come to a school for tradition, the Coach, the exposure, The chance to play in the NCAA' tourney regularly , NOT for being ranked # 1 in the regular season. - - By the way we are 3rd, and Baylor 4th this week in the polls. - -have a great day my friends - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@jayballer54

In my opinion, the only #1 ranking that counts is the one at the end of the season; very few people remember who finished #2 unless is the team that lost in the Championship game and fans of the winning team remember them.

On a related topic, UCLA made a huge leap from 11 to 2 in the AP poll by virtue of its win over UK and Baylor got 6 first place votes...really? It goes to show how fickle and subjective the polls are, Computer polls take longer to get the algorithms properly tuned but once they do they are a lot more consistent.

Would probably rather have the team not be #1 (even if and when KU is the best team) just for mental reasons.

@BShark me too, already a big ole target there!🎯

I think it's good to have rankings, because you can track the progress of your team, and measure it up to how other rivals/teams are doing. But other than that, it doesn't mean anything other than pride.
I personally don't care what rank KU is, as long as it is in the top 10 :smiley: I'd much rather KU NOT be ranked #1 during the season.

If it leads to a #1 seed, statistics prove you're most likely to win as a #1 seed, well, then I have no problem with it.

@wissox as long as that number 1 seed is not playing the number one 2 seed, hmmm

@Crimsonorblue22 :angry:

Too soon.

Not that important during the season. But, I think we need to "hang around" in the top 5 so we can try to get a #1 seed in the tournament. Getting a #1 seed in the tournament is important.......not critical.......but important.

How does "Not a 1 seed" champion stack up statistically with 1 seed champions?

In modern era we're 1 &1 as far as I see it. What?

A 6-seed and a 1-seed.

Hung jury

@Bwag

I did a study a while back that I think got lost in the reset, but basically the data is this:

Since 1979, the seeds have gotten to the Final Four at these rates (seeding started in 1979):

1 -61 trips, 40% of the time.

2 - 33 trips, about 22% of the time.

3 - 16 trips, about 10% of the time

4 - 14 trips, about 9% of the time

5-16 - 28 trips, about 18.5% of the time.

The difference between a 1 and a 2 is about a 50% drop in FF chances. The difference between 2 and 3 drops by another 50%.

1 seeds have been in the Final 29 times, compared to 11 times for 2 seeds, 10 times for 3 seeds, 3 times for 4 seeds and 9 times for 5-16 seeds. Basically, #1 seeds are almost twice as likely to make the Final as any other seed.

1 seeds have won 19 titles, compared with 12 for every other seed (4 titles for 2's, 4 titles for 3's).

Being a 1 seed is an enormous advantage. Remember, no #1 has ever lost in the first round, so you're already in the round of 32 by being a #1.

@justanotherfan

Being a top 2 seed seems pretty indicative of overall success in the tournament. Makes sense.

@jayballer54 Honestly i hate when we are ranked #1 or even 2 early in the season. I like our guys playing with a chip on their shoulders feeling they have something to prove.

I look forward to being number 1 in the polls at any time. It gets talked about on all the sports programs and adds to our reputation as an elite basketball program. The number 1 rank means others who are not KU fanatics are impressed with our team. Yes, it means we become an even bigger target for opposing teams and it hurts like hell when we lose and drop in the polls, but at least we were there for a while; most other fans can't say that about their teams. My most painful memories of losing the number 1 poll ranking are when we became number 1 over the weekend and then played on big Monday and lose the game. I think that's happened twice when we've played K State, though I try to forget those losses.

@stoptheflop The one loss with KU ranked #1 that still sticks in my craw is the KU MU triple overtime game. KU's lone regular season loss.

@jayballer54 said:

I tell you what being ranked # 1 in the season WILL do: - - what it does is put even a bigger bulls eye on our chest for opponents - -gives them more motivation as if they need it when they play us. For a lot of these teams when they play against us, a lot of these teams don't make the NCAA'S . - -we are their NCAA game, how many teams circle their schedule against us as their game of the year, cause we have Kansas written on the uniform.

Can you imgaine if MJ or Kobe or Lebron thought like that..they would not have accomplished as much. This is loser talk. Always go for #1...for anyone to justify otherwise doesn't deserve to be a fan. We, as fans, should expect our team to be the best and they need to play at that level.