NOVEMBER MARCH MADNESS!

It's that time of the year: COLLEGE HOOPS is back! I know what you're saying, but trust me, you're wrong! Yes, it may be early, but not too early for November March Madness! Let's take a look at the NCAA basketball Sportsline RPI index (the Top 24 or so, I didn't really count)!

as of 11/18/2005
(Rank/School/Wins/Losses/RPI Index/SOS Rank/Strength of Schedule Index)

1 Syracuse 3 0 0.8929 16 0.5608
2 NC-Wilmington 3 0 0.8889 6 0.6296
3 Kentucky 2 0 0.8750 28 0.5000
3 Iowa 2 0 0.8750 28 0.5000
5 Albany 1 1 0.7583 8 0.6111
6 Florida 3 0 0.7440 43 0.4735
7 Texas Tech 2 1 0.7225 10 0.5873
8 Air Force 2 1 0.7016 15 0.5679
9 Texas 2 0 0.6875 58 0.4167
9 Samford 1 1 0.6875 11 0.5833
9 Wofford 1 1 0.6875 11 0.5833
9 West Virginia 2 0 0.6875 58 0.4167
13 Washington 3 0 0.6759 46 0.4568
14 Duke 2 0 0.6667 63 0.3889
14 Drexel 2 0 0.6667 63 0.3889
14 UCLA 2 0 0.6667 63 0.3889
14 Memphis 2 0 0.6667 63 0.3889
18 Northwestern 2 1 0.6296 17 0.5432
19 Wake Forest 2 1 0.6250 28 0.5000
20 Miami (Fla.) 2 1 0.6225 25 0.5185
21 Wisconsin-Green Bay 1 2 0.6029 6 0.6296
22 George Mason 1 1 0.6000 23 0.5222
23 Radford 2 1 0.5855 44 0.4691
24 Wyoming 2 1 0.5783 17 0.5432
24 Butler 2 1 0.5783 17 0.5432


Well, as they say, the numbers don't lie! As expected, some undefeated teams, and some usual suspects, are right there on top of the leaderboard. Will we see that dream matchup of Syracuse and North Carolina in the NCAA tourney finals? No, not the 2004-2005 NCAA Champion North Carolina Tarheels--when I say NC, of course I mean the Wilmington Seahawks! It will remain to be seen if they can keep their unbeaten streaks alive all season long!

As for the rest of the pack . . .

* Coach K's Duke Blue Devils may have the best team this year, but not if the great Albany Great Danes have anything to say about it! And those fiery Drexel Dragons are right on their heels--should be an exciting fight to the finish!
* The West Virginia Pittsnogels almost made it to the Final Four last year, but this time around they appear to be no match for Air Force's high flying attack!
* For the magic trio of Wofford, Samford, and Radford--that sweet smell is the Sweet 16! If this trend continues, Stanford can't be too far behind!
* Although they were squeezed by the Orange last night by 35 points, Don't Mess With Texas Tech!
* Does anyone really know where the hell Butler is? There's no way to know, but maybe this March we'll find out!