Second Regional Rankings Released 2-13-24

 The first truly-ranked Regional Rankings were just released on D3Hoops.com earlier today and already it seems like the fix is in - at least in some ways anyway:

1	UW-Whitewater	9-3	20-3
2	UW-Oshkosh	10-2	19-4
3	Wartburg	15-0	22-2
4	Gustavus Adolphus	17-1	21-2
5	Concordia-Moorhead	16-2	17-4
6	UW-Stout	6-6	16-7
7	Loras	12-2	20-3

If you're looking strictly at SOS (Strength of Schedule) on this matter, I suppose you can make an argument for UW-Whitewater being in the top spot but, then again, when you also consider that they have lost three out of their last six games since late January, it definitely gives one cause for concern here.  To me, the real puzzler her is UW-Oshkosh (b'gosh) being placed into the number two spot with their 19-4 overall record.  And while they did lose tough games to teams like said UW-Whitewater along with DePauw, you also have to throw in losses to Wheaton and UW-Eau Claire.  So again, there's a lot here I'm not understanding.  

With Wartburg, I don't have quite so much of a problem with them being at the number three position because (1) their two losses (Whitman and Wash U) were to regionally-ranked opponents and (2) the Knights are undefeated in conference play - for the moment anyway.  I can even (almost) forgive the aforementioned lopsided loss to Wash U right before the first of the year.  But one could make the argument that that kind of loss might be much more damaging to other teams.  

But here's what I don't get - GAC being in the fourth spot.  Now consider, the Gusties two losses have come to regionally-ranked teams - Rhode Island (currently #3 in the country and in the top spot in Region 2) right before the holidays and then to Concordia last week Wednesday up in Moorhead.  No "bad" losses here at all.  And, keep in mind that GAC was ranked as high as fourth in the country a mere week ago.  So how exactly do you justify having the Gusties this low here?  What are they being punished here for?  I'd like somebody to tell me that.  Meanwhile, I think Concordia is placed about right at the number five position considering where they were at earlier in the season and what they've accomplished as of late so no real argument with this one.  One would have to think that the Cobbers will hold serve here this week and see what happens ahead of them.  

UW-Stout meanwhile has been quite impressive as of late; winning five of their last six games - including a huge win over UW-Whitewater early this month.  But, with their conference record as it is and considering who's ahead of them, you have to think that it's going to be a hard row to hoe for the Blue Devils but, we'll see.  Meanwhile, you'd think that Loras would somehow be in a better position here than they are; especially with that win they had over Elizabethtown (currently in the sixth spot in Region 5).  The Duhawks have already been swept by Wartburg and have one "bad" loss (to UW-Platteville) so it may not be looking good for them either.

Not listed on the Regional Rankings is UW-Superior of the UMAC but the Yellowjackets are on a 7-game win streak at the moment - including a big win out at UM-Morris last Friday evening that gives them a two-game lead in the conference standings and the inside track to the top seed in the upcoming UMAC Playoffs so you have to think that things are setting up quite nicely for them.  

As always, please feel free to fire away here with thoughts.....