After trying to describe the maelstrom that is the men’s poll this week, analyzing the women’s poll is like slipping into a relaxing, warm bath. The top 8 teams all held their positions over the holidays, and all but one actually gained votes (the exception, Scranton, lost just a single vote.) For several weeks I have been tracking the consolidation at the top of the poll, and this week the consolidation may have reached a maximum: the top 10 teams collectively received 5,068 of a maximum 5,125 points, an “efficiency ratio” of 98.9%. In other words, the 25 voters are virtually unanimous about who the nation’s top 10 teams are.
Bowdoin held on to the top spot for the fifth consecutive week and 21st time overall, second only to all-time poll champions Washington U. (53). At the other end of the upper echelon, Howard Payne took advantage of a loss by then-#9 McMurry (to #15 UW-Stout) to slip into the top ten for the first time in school history.
- Debutantes:
As noted above, congratulations to Howard Payne University for becoming the newest member of the top 10 club!
- High-Water Marks:
Aside from the Yellow Jackets, the only high-water mark in this week’s “Poll of Stability” was reached by the #17 Chicago Maroons, tying the all-time high set just last week.
- Streakers:
>#1 Bowdoin is a member of the top 10 for the 80th consecutive week, extending their record in this category;
>#18 Mary Washington is ranked for the 20th consecutive week; for #10 Howard Payne, this streak has reached 10 weeks;
>#10 Howard Payne, #15 UW-Stout, and #22 Medaille received votes for the 10th straight week; and
>#4 Scranton, #16 Hardin-Simmons, and unranked Washington U. each received votes in the 115th straight poll, extending their perfect records.
- Milestones:
>#1 Bowdoin and #4 Scranton are each in the top 10 for the 80th time;
>#7 Brandeis is a top 25 team for the 40th time, and #18 Mary Washington is ranked for the 20th time;
>#4 Scranton is in the top 25 for the 112th time, extending their record in this category; and
>Unranked St. Benedict received votes in this poll, marking their 110th time as a vote-getter.
Congratulations to these outstanding programs, and Happy New Year to all! 🙂
I have seen Wash U play 3 times this year. They are nowhere near as good as in the past 5 years. I don’t know enough about most of the other ranked women’s teams (have seen Illinois Wesleyan and DePauw) to venture an opinion as to whether or not Wash U ought to make the top 25, but from what I’ve seen DePauw and Illinois Wesleyan deserve to be there. I’ve also seen Rose-Hulman play. Definitely not a top 25 team, in spite of their record.
Hope still looks strong, as they’ve extended their winning streak to 41. They had close calls against Baldwin-Wallace and Wheaton, but came from behind both times to win, the latter in overtime. Calvin looms as the biggest threat for Hope in the MIAA, they look really strong as well, looking forward to Jan. 13 when they meet in Holland.
Speaking of all-time streaks, I know Wash U won 81 straight, Capital won 60 straight, and UW-Oshkosh won 41 straight. Any other long winning streaks that you know of in Division III?