Top 40?!
BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Whoo, that's funny. Top 40. Top 40 is a near tournament-team (allowing for the usual 30 major conference teams that should get back to the tournament, and 10 or so mid-major/ A-10 squads that should also be on the door of the NCAA). I would say 70-85, but I'm not sure what up and coming mid majors are out there off the top of the head.
How many mid majors got at large bids last year? Why would this year be any different? I still say we are top 40,top 50 to say the least
No. By this rating system or by RPI, the 30-50 range includes NIT teams and the better, and the high majors that are good (like the whole Big 10). take a look at this list:
http://www.rpiratings.com/mensrpi.htmlOur squad is not (yet) the quality of the TOP 60 teams. Potentially, they could get there. But if I were writing a preview, I couldn't fathom putting the Johnnies higher than 70, and that would be me being a homer.
At the end of the year, they could be top 50, maybe even top 40 if they can integrate Mase/ Horne/ Hardy/ Lawrence/ Kennedy into an efficient offensive force with good ballhandling, better defense, and contributions down low. I hope I'm proved pessimistic. But last year, only-okay VT and Miami teams just took the Johnnies' lunch money. There have to be solid improvements from the returning players for the squad to get near the NCAAs.