2/27/08 Lax World MCLA Division 1 Top 25 poll is out!

[TrainerDan]

It seems most people are putting a lot of emphasis on BYU losing by 1 at Chapman and ignoring the fact that they went into Santa Barbara and handed the Gauchos a sound defeat.

[Ben Clark]

I voted Chapman #1, and BYU #2. Here's why:

This early in the season, it's impossible to know how good teams actually are. But in my mind, based on this game, these are the two best teams in the country at this point in the season. Chapman won, so they get the #1 spot. Simple as that. It has nothing to do with how many spots they jumped or any of that, because I pretty much threw my preseason poll out the window.

That said, if you think BYU is still the best team in the country (which they very well might be, despite a one goal loss on the road) then voting them #1 is not as crazy as it might sound to some people on this board.

I think the poll looks very good so far. There were some crazy results which caused some weird jumps for some teams, but just like every year, as the season goes on, the poll will stabilize.

[StrykerFSU]

I don't think that anyone is arguing that BYU be dropped below UCSB.

[fullofregrets]

It does buck the trend that a #1 team losing should retain its status. Do many of the voters feel that the games was a fluke, or that Chapman is a good team but not enough to beat BYU again. I do look forward another meeting, because from what I hear the game was amazing, and speaks volumes to the level of play that is emerging in the MCLA. And as to me "talking" to the BYU players, it was actually "texting" sorry for the confusion.

[Ravaging Beast]

Ravaging you are correct- UMD/CSU did nothing to deserve the #1. But BYU did do something to lose it!!! They should be ranked just ahead of the team they beat UCSB. They lost in one of their first games of the season. I don't care who you put up there but BYU should drop around 3-4 spots and someone has to take their place.

I have said this before, but I'm not comfortable with anyone being #1. Can we just leave the spot open and wait for the next poll? I agree that BYU should drop with a loss, but I still think they are the best team. UMD and CSU will be able to prove themselves this week and Chapman is looking like last years Oregon. One more loss for BYU, and they won't have a chance at the #1 ranking until May 17th.

[Ben Clark]

I agree that BYU should drop with a loss, but I still think they are the best team.

Well said. I don't think it's any mystery as to why BYU was voted #1.

[CATLAX MAN]

What I'd really like to know about this poll is what was WaterBoy doing up at 4:44 am and looking at these boards? Do they not allow sleep in law school anymore?

[Ken Lovic]

also... can I bring this up. That was a PRE-SEASON poll.

In my mind no one was #1 before this poll came out.
That is the way I voted. I went on results from this season to date.
I just don't like the talk of moving up and down when really this is the first poll of 2008.

From here on out we can discuss movement in the polls as there is a lot of time left in the season

[DG]

Why was BYU ranked #1 out of the gate? They lost the following from their championship team...

Defense - 2 of their 4 defensive starters, including a 2nd team AA (Harris)
D Mid - 2nd team AA (Davis)
Midfield - 3 of their top 6 middies, including a first team AA (Monteath)
Attack - 2 of their 3 top scorers, including a first team AA (Davis) and a second team AA (Ferrin)

I know they had a great fall, so maybe that had a lot to do with it.

Attention...Attention...soapbox being dragged in to the forum...

This is why using the pre-season poll as a basis for the 2nd poll is absolutely bogus. Chapman was ranked #15 in the pre-season poll...so people have a problem moving them "all the way up" to #1? They are the team that may have the best case for being #1 right now.

The polls in late March and April will be much more reflective of how good teams really are. At that point you can say things like..."well, they were #5 and haven't lost, so they shouldn't move down." You can't say that right now.

I'm off the soapbox now.

It seems like every week there are "great games" that will have a "big impact" on the rankings. As a fan of MCLA lacrosse, that's awesome to see.

DG

[benji]

I'm a bit surprised actually that Texas A&M actually moved down a spot after starting their season 7-1. The team's only loss was to Sonoma State, on the road, in the third game a three-day trip.

That being said, Texas moving up a spot was also surprising. I realize the votes after spot 16 are usually a crap-shoot, as generally those teams are really difficult to differentiate from one another, but just some food for thought.

[NoFlow]

I def agree with the teams in the Top 5, but not with the order. If you beat a team, you should be ranked higher than them unless its proven its a fluke. And since Chapman has no losses or other common opponents to compare to BYU yet, I don't see why they're not #1. Look the NCAA hoops, Memphis lost and dropped from #1. Tenn lost last night and I guarantee they won't be #1 in the next poll. It definitely seems like the pre-season poll is swaying this one in a rather ridiculous manner.

That being said, this is the first in-season poll. With more games things will sort themselves out.

[Timbalaned]

Minus all the stuff that has been talked about up at the top...

I think Lindenwood should be ranked a few spots lower and that Poly should be higher. Poly didnt get a lot of love and has only lost to two good teams (ASU and UCSB) and have some good wins, mainly beating Zona, who is still above them.

[Jolly Roger]

If you beat a team, you should be ranked higher than them unless its proven its a fluke. And since Chapman has no losses or other common opponents to compare to BYU yet, I don't see why they're not #1. Look the NCAA hoops, Memphis lost and dropped from #1. Tenn lost last night and I guarantee they won't be #1 in the next poll. It definitely seems like the pre-season poll is swaying this one in a rather ridiculous manner.

That being said, this is the first in-season poll. With more games things will sort themselves out.

Look the NCAA hoops. If during the season #15 beats #1, How often does #15 move up to #1? Rarely.

[DwinsChamps]

Look the NCAA hoops. If during the season #15 beats #1, How often does #15 move up to #1? Rarely.

How often does #1 remain #1?

[DTwizzie]

Poly didnt get a lot of love and has only lost to two good teams (ASU and UCSB) and have some good wins, mainly beating Zona, who is still above them.

I'm going to have to agree here. Poly beats Zona (in a close game) and loses to ASU (in a close game). It would make sense for these three teams to be ranked relatively close in order of ASU, Poly, UofA within a group of 5 spots. The sound thumping that Poly took from UCSB did not help their case, but they will be able to negate that loss with a win at Sonoma this weekend.