Short PSN Article: "Pitt and Duquesne Side-by-Side in Initial 2021 KenPom Ratings"

https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2020/11/04/pitt-and-duquesne-side-by-side-in-initial-2021-kenpom-ratings/

Someone needs to explain to me how a team, St. Louis, that the Dukes handled last year, added no significant talent, & was abysmal from the foul line is rated 39 places in front of DU.

I think the Dukes rank is spot-on & that the team has a reasonable chance to finish 15 spots better or 25 spots worse for the season. Starting the Billikens higher than 60 seems a major stretch.

phil95 wrote:

Someone needs to explain to me how a team, St. Louis, that the Dukes handled last year, added no significant talent, & was abysmal from the foul line is rated 39 places in front of DU.

I think the Dukes rank is spot-on & that the team has a reasonable chance to finish 15 spots better or 25 spots worse for the season. Starting the Billikens higher than 60 seems a major stretch.

St. Louis was ranked 49th in the final NET rankings and 62nd in KenPom (44th Defensively). They didn't lose anyone, they return 3 all-conference performers, an all-rookie selection, and two guys who missed most of the season, plus they are bringing in a decent transfer. But for more clarity, see below from Jon Rothstein:

3. Is Saint Louis being underrated nationally?It certainly feels that way.
The Billikens were one of the hottest teams in America at the end of last season and were set to take a five-game winning streak into the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Brooklyn before it was cancelled. Everyone is back for the Billikens, headlined by the troika of Jordan Goodwin, Hasahn French, and Javonte Perkins, a burgeoning star who averaged 18.2 points during conference play. Gibson Jimerson and Fred Thatch — two starting caliber players who only combined to play 16 games last season due to injuries — are also back. The 6-5 Jimerson shot 42.9 percent from three-point range last year in 10 games as a freshman and should immediately improve Saint Louis’ offensive spacing. Remember: Travis Ford’s team won 23 games last season, highlighted by two close losses by a combined eight points to Dayton. One of those defeats came on a last second shot by Jalen Crutcher at Chaifetz Arena. The Billikens have all the requisites to be the best non-power conference team in college basketball next season.

Last edited by kidd082000 (11/04/2020 10:51 pm)

phil95 wrote:

Someone needs to explain to me how a team, St. Louis, that the Dukes handled last year, added no significant talent, & was abysmal from the foul line is rated 39 places in front of DU.

I think the Dukes rank is spot-on & that the team has a reasonable chance to finish 15 spots better or 25 spots worse for the season. Starting the Billikens higher than 60 seems a major stretch.

You can't rate a team based strictly on results against one team. Should UMASS be ranked ahead of us? St. Louis didn't have the bad losses we did.

phil95 wrote:

duq81 wrote:

phil95 wrote:

Someone needs to explain to me how a team, St. Louis, that the Dukes handled last year, added no significant talent, & was abysmal from the foul line is rated 39 places in front of DU.

I think the Dukes rank is spot-on & that the team has a reasonable chance to finish 15 spots better or 25 spots worse for the season. Starting the Billikens higher than 60 seems a major stretch.

You can't rate a team based strictly on results against one team. Should UMASS be ranked ahead of us? St. Louis didn't have the bad losses we did.

St. Louis should be rated higher than Duquesne. My point is that 39 places higher is too much of a gap when head to head competition suggests otherwise.

My argument would be more that we're underrated. SLU is rated correctly. That said, NET is more important than kenpom, so I want to see how they rate us.