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re: 8 men's college basketball programs that have surprisingly never been ranked No. 1
Posted on 1/16/25 at 2:58 pm to Ukfan9
Posted on 1/16/25 at 2:58 pm to Ukfan9
quote:
Was Auburn ever ranked first before Pearl?
Nope, as the other poster mentioned.
In the Porter era we were preseason #1 in a few magazines in 99 I believe, but started the year at 4 and only briefly rose to #2.
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Posted on 1/16/25 at 2:59 pm to lsudave1
quote:
I have never understood it myself. The last time we made the final 4 in 2006 we were ranked #3 in the final coaches poll but #19 in the AP poll. Makes no sense.
That's because the AP takes their final poll before the NCAA tournament.
Posted on 1/16/25 at 3:02 pm to bigDgator
Not a real surprise imo
Posted on 1/16/25 at 3:03 pm to armtackledawg
LSU has one of the best starting 5 in history in Pistol Pete, Shaq, Petitte, Chris Jackson, and take your pick (Tyrus Thomas, Ben Simons, Naz Reid.)
They were all on different teams, though.
They were all on different teams, though.
Posted on 1/16/25 at 3:04 pm to Ukfan9
Auburn got very close in 1998. Got to number 2. That was a great team under Cliff Ellis.
Posted on 1/16/25 at 3:16 pm to armtackledawg
quote:
How is that possible? LSU has been a basketball power from time to time. Had Pete Maravich and Shaq (but I guess we had Anthony Edwards so that answers that question)
Part of it is much of the country viewed the SEC as a whole as a second-rate league in basketball, other than Kentucky. So LSU never was ranked first but has made multiple Final Fours. I'll take it.
Posted on 1/16/25 at 3:16 pm to lsudave1
quote:
Message
8 men's college basketball programs that have surprisingly never been ranked No. 1
lsudave1
I thought we were preseason #1 one year in the early 90s but maybe we were 2. Also, Maryland won the damn tournament so it’s ridiculous that they didn’t get ranked #1 after that.
LSU got as high as #2 in 1981 (Final Four) and also in 1991.
Posted on 1/16/25 at 4:21 pm to Ukfan9
He either got a lot out of little or little out of a lot
Posted on 1/16/25 at 4:30 pm to SEC Doctor
quote:
Part of it is much of the country viewed the SEC as a whole as a second-rate league in basketball, other than Kentucky. So LSU never was ranked first but has made multiple Final Fours. I'll take it.
No, you will in fact, not take it
Posted on 1/16/25 at 4:33 pm to bigDgator
quote:
LSU
What I'd give to just be RANKED again
Posted on 1/16/25 at 4:52 pm to lsufan0582
Auburn was 2 in 99’
Ranked #1 in 22’ for 3 or 4 weeks
Obviously this year.
Iowa state could be #1 at some point this year. Both us and them have road games Saturday that could spring an upset.
Ranked #1 in 22’ for 3 or 4 weeks
Obviously this year.
Iowa state could be #1 at some point this year. Both us and them have road games Saturday that could spring an upset.
Posted on 1/16/25 at 5:00 pm to bigDgator
The best LSU team of all time was the 80-81 team and they were only ranked second. They lost to Indiana in the Final Four.
The Shaq teams were either too young or too undermanned. The 90 team with Shaq and Chris Jackson lost to a more mature Georgia Tech team in the tourney with Kenny Anderson, Dennis Scott, Brian Oliver, etc.
The Shaq teams were either too young or too undermanned. The 90 team with Shaq and Chris Jackson lost to a more mature Georgia Tech team in the tourney with Kenny Anderson, Dennis Scott, Brian Oliver, etc.
Posted on 1/16/25 at 5:10 pm to bigDgator
Didn’t LSU have an early 90s team of Chris Jackson, Shaq, and vernell singleton? I mean Dale was a mediocre coach but a little shocking they didn’t check in #1 preseason.
Posted on 1/16/25 at 5:28 pm to bigDgator
quote:
P.S. The South Carolina basketball team started the 1969-70 season at No. 1 but quickly dropped after losing their 2nd game. They stayed in the top 10 all season and even climbed back to No. 2. Debate among yourselves whether a preseason No. 1 ranking should count.
That team was really good, I think they lost to Tennessee early on. Either way UCLA was the clear number 1 but we were the second best team in the country. Had Roche not gotten hurt in the semis of the ACC tourney we probably make a deep NCAA run. That ankle injury was a killer and we still almost beat State
Posted on 1/16/25 at 5:29 pm to GamecockUltimate
I don't find any of OPs list particularly surprising except maybe Maryland. Maybe.
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