Another week in and at this point teams have anywhere from 2 to 6 games under their belt. There's not much movement in the top 20 but Frank Martin did drop 10 spots to #20 due to going 5-for-6 early on. Those behind him all moved up a spot except for Paul Hewitt at Georgia Tech who lost one they shouldn't have to UNC Greensboro and then later went down to a rebuilding Winthrop team. Hewitt "climbs" two notches to #15.
For clarification purposes: The higher the ranking, the less job security they have and the greater chance they will be replaced after the season ends (if not before; a precedent has been set).
Here's who occupying hot seats 21 through 30:
21. Bobby Jones (St. Francis PA) - Must make some noise in the Northeast or a change may be in order.
22. Rodney Tention (Loyola Marymount) - Went from contenders to pretenders in the West Coast Conference last season.
23. Jeff Lebo (Auburn) - Must improve soon and get some recruits or he'll need to have his resume handy.
24. George Nessman (San Jose St.) - Has a major rebuilding job on his hands but there's some question about the amount of time he'll be allowed.
25. Greg Graham (Boise St.) - In his sixth season on the bench and the program appears to be sitting at a stall.
26. Derek Waugh (Stetson) - Now in year 8, he hasn't had a winning season since his first one.
27. Rick Stansbury (Mississippi St.) - Needs to get back in Field of 64 or he may wish he hadn't turned down South Alabama.
28. Neil Dougherty (TCU) - Solid showing in Mountain West this season keeps him out of the frying pan.
29. Bill Herrion (New Hampshire) - Critics are heating up and doubt is creeping in.
30. Scott Drew (Baylor) - Showing improvement in Waco so he may be safe this year.
I'll try to get 31-40 posted later this week.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Top 20 Pre-Season Rankings
The 2007-08 season is already 11 days old and I'm just now getting the 20 hottest seats posted. I'm still compiling names and tentative rankings; I have about two-thirds completed (there are over 300 Div. I NCAA men's basketball teams). Most of these early season games will be meaningless for tourney teams come March, but they may prove critical to teams and coaches on the bubble.
There's already been some surprise upsets and we're not even two weeks in yet. Injuries, suspensions, ineligibility, and plain ol' team chemistry are always important but when coupled with the buzz word in college sports this year - parity - it means it's anyone's game on any given day, especially before conference play kicks in.
Here's my take on coaches who better hope they can maximize their team's potential as soon as possible:
1. Dave Odom (South Carolina) - 1 NCAA bid and 2 NIT titles in 6 years won't cut it.
2. Jay John (Oregon St.) - 1 winning season out of 5 doesn't instill confidence.
3. Norm Roberts (St. John's) - Seems a Big East championship is the only thing that will save him.
4. Bill Carmody (Northwestern) - Admired by peers but has zero post-season appearances in 7 seasons.
5. Bobby Lutz (Charlotte) - Turned down So. Alabama job; loyalty may prove to be his downfall.
6. Ed DeChellis (Penn St.) - Signed an extension last season but the reality is he hasn't lived up to expectations.
7. Tim Welsh (Providence) - 5 winning seasons and 2 NCAA appearances but zero post-season wins since '03.
8. Bret Campbell (Tennessee-Martin) - Must make conference tournament to save his job.
9. Dennis Felton (Georgia) - Has lost 66% of SEC games in 4 years; 'nuff said.
10. Frank Martin (Kansas St.) - Must produce big to minimize the scrutiny he's facing.
11. Robert Moreland (Texas Southern) - Re-hired as interim coach after position went unfilled makes for an uncertain future.
12. John Brady (LSU) - The wheels fell off last season and a quick turnaround doesn't seem likely.
13. Trent Johnson (Stanford) - Ugly losses in two NCAA appearances and the former Cardinal leader is nearby.
14. Dean Keener (James Madison) - Must produce several wins early to keep the heat at a simmer.
15. Mike LaPlante (Jacksonville St.) - In final year of contract.
16. Ben Braun (California) - Has missed NCAA tourney 3 of the last 4 seasons.
17. Paul Hewitt (Georgia Tech) - Has won only 1 NCAA tourney game since Final Four showing in '04.
18. Mark Gottfried (Alabama) - Great recruiter but ability to produce championships is now in question.
19. Frank Haith (Miami FL) - Quality wins this season might give him a little security.
20. Kelvin Sampson (Indiana) - Violations have caused some to already call for his ouster.
There's already been some surprise upsets and we're not even two weeks in yet. Injuries, suspensions, ineligibility, and plain ol' team chemistry are always important but when coupled with the buzz word in college sports this year - parity - it means it's anyone's game on any given day, especially before conference play kicks in.
Here's my take on coaches who better hope they can maximize their team's potential as soon as possible:
1. Dave Odom (South Carolina) - 1 NCAA bid and 2 NIT titles in 6 years won't cut it.
2. Jay John (Oregon St.) - 1 winning season out of 5 doesn't instill confidence.
3. Norm Roberts (St. John's) - Seems a Big East championship is the only thing that will save him.
4. Bill Carmody (Northwestern) - Admired by peers but has zero post-season appearances in 7 seasons.
5. Bobby Lutz (Charlotte) - Turned down So. Alabama job; loyalty may prove to be his downfall.
6. Ed DeChellis (Penn St.) - Signed an extension last season but the reality is he hasn't lived up to expectations.
7. Tim Welsh (Providence) - 5 winning seasons and 2 NCAA appearances but zero post-season wins since '03.
8. Bret Campbell (Tennessee-Martin) - Must make conference tournament to save his job.
9. Dennis Felton (Georgia) - Has lost 66% of SEC games in 4 years; 'nuff said.
10. Frank Martin (Kansas St.) - Must produce big to minimize the scrutiny he's facing.
11. Robert Moreland (Texas Southern) - Re-hired as interim coach after position went unfilled makes for an uncertain future.
12. John Brady (LSU) - The wheels fell off last season and a quick turnaround doesn't seem likely.
13. Trent Johnson (Stanford) - Ugly losses in two NCAA appearances and the former Cardinal leader is nearby.
14. Dean Keener (James Madison) - Must produce several wins early to keep the heat at a simmer.
15. Mike LaPlante (Jacksonville St.) - In final year of contract.
16. Ben Braun (California) - Has missed NCAA tourney 3 of the last 4 seasons.
17. Paul Hewitt (Georgia Tech) - Has won only 1 NCAA tourney game since Final Four showing in '04.
18. Mark Gottfried (Alabama) - Great recruiter but ability to produce championships is now in question.
19. Frank Haith (Miami FL) - Quality wins this season might give him a little security.
20. Kelvin Sampson (Indiana) - Violations have caused some to already call for his ouster.
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