Topic: New Soccer rankings are out

[wasbarryb]

Might want to put your finger over the #3 ranking, it?s truly rank..  Clemson?s loss really hurt them.  Ky didn?t hurt us or help themselves.


https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d1/united-soccer-coaches#:~:text=Men%27s%20Soccer%20%20%20%20RANK%20%20,%20%203%20%2022%20more%20rows%20

[herd2win]

How in the world can we still be top 5 with a loss and all of those ties?  Happy about it but we sure are still getting a lot of credit for last year.

[parshall2marshall]

They are noticing our strength of schedule. Only fitting after so many years ripping on our football and basketball schedules by TPTB.

[sardistim]

How in the world can we still be top 5 with a loss and all of those ties?  Happy about it but we sure are still getting a lot of credit for last year.

Last year got us a #1 preseason rank.  After that starting point, our #5 ranking is based on this year's work.

When you tie the #3 ranked team and the #10 ranked team and a previously ranked team, those ties don't really hurt you.  The only loss was to the #11 team (off 2 PKs) and we beat the #17 ranked team, #26 & #27 RV teams.

Nobody else has played the schedule we've played so far.  Now over the next month we play a somewhat easier schedule--it's gotta be all wins from here on out, or ties or loses will us knock down in the standings.

[svherd]

Just a heads up. Game time for tomorrow's match against Butler is 5PM. Not 7pm as it says on the tickets.

[herdfan129]

Yeah. We have probably played the toughest schedule in the country up to this point. We have to start getting wins in the back half of the schedule though, starting with Butler.

[sardistim]

Take for instance the #1 & #2 teams right now.

Georgetown is undefeated, but the best teams they've beaten have been #8 Maryland and #25 Santa Clara--both 1-0 wins.  Georgetown has played 3 teams with a Top 50 RPI

Washingtons is also undefeated, but they've only played 2 teams with a winning record and only 1 Top 25 team #20 Grand Canyon.  They've only played 2 teams with a Top 50 RPI

Meanwhile Marshall has played Top 50 RPI teams in 5 of their 8 games.  And we've played only one team above #100 (ETSU)--while 4 of Washington's 7 games have been against teams above #100 RPI.

Currently, Marshall's RPI is also #5 and our Strength of Schedule is #2.

That's how you stay ranked #5 with three ties and a loss.

[herdfan129]

I love that Grassie plays a tough schedule. Wish we could get our basketball and football teams to do the same.

[chris88]

Last year got us a #1 preseason rank.  After that starting point, our #5 ranking is based on this year's work.

When you tie the #3 ranked team and the #10 ranked team and a previously ranked team, those ties don't really hurt you.  The only loss was to the #11 team (off 2 PKs) and we beat the #17 ranked team, #26 & #27 RV teams.

Nobody else has played the schedule we've played so far.  Now over the next month we play a somewhat easier schedule--it's gotta be all wins from here on out, or ties or loses will us knock down in the standings.

Great observations.

Surprised Clemson dropped that much. UNCG is pretty good. Maybe since UNCG unranked and dominated them.  Clemson other loss this week was at home to Pitt..

We still have to play at UNCC (RV) and at FIU(#21) late in year and have to play CUSA tourney in Charlotte. FAU is 5-1-1 and also a road game for us.

[luckytoes99]

Take for instance the #1 & #2 teams right now.

Georgetown is undefeated, but the best teams they've beaten have been #8 Maryland and #25 Santa Clara--both 1-0 wins.  Georgetown has played 3 teams with a Top 50 RPI

Washingtons is also undefeated, but they've only played 2 teams with a winning record and only 1 Top 25 team #20 Grand Canyon.  They've only played 2 teams with a Top 50 RPI

Meanwhile Marshall has played Top 50 RPI teams in 5 of their 8 games.  And we've played only one team above #100 (ETSU)--while 4 of Washington's 7 games have been against teams above #100 RPI.

Currently, Marshall's RPI is also #5 and our Strength of Schedule is #2.

That's how you stay ranked #5 with three ties and a loss.

Great information.

Can you share a link to the current RPI rankings? I can only find end of season 2020.

[svherd]

How in the world can we still be top 5 with a loss and all of those ties?  Happy about it but we sure are still getting a lot of credit for last year.

No, it's about strength of schedule and competition. Unlike Football and B'ball, Grassie doesn't shy away from playing the big boys. Geezus you are negative. C'mon man.

[ThunderingHerdFan]

We?re the only school that made the College Cup that is ranked in the Top 15 presently.

[MidlandKnight]

I am new to soccer, but really have enjoyed watching Marshall. To think the school that I love is not only competing with the big boys, but winning, or playing to a draw is special. Some of you just need to enjoy the ride and quit always trying to find something to complain about.

[herdthatandrew]

No, it's about strength of schedule and competition. Unlike Football and B'ball, Grassie doesn't shy away from playing the big boys. Geezus you are negative. C'mon man.

If you look at the schedules of the top 10.

No one has played comp like us.

Including all of the "traditional powers"

[CoachMaclid]

Here's the website I follow that tracks and calculates college soccer RPI. We are now currently 5th in RPI (we were 13th before the WVU-Akron-UK games).  The other thing to note is that we have the 2nd toughest Strength of Schedule in the country to date (Creighton has played Indiana, Georgetown, and two other teams that are still undefeated, but Creighton is also 1-4-1.

http://rpiupdatemenssoccer.blogspot.com/search/label/RPI%20Rank?m=1

Our problem is going to be the next 4 weeks.  Until the Charlotte game near the end of the season, we are largely going to play conference teams that are going to weigh down the SOS and RPI.  We finish strong against Charlotte, South Carolina, and FIU, but we need to roll out lots W's the next 4 weeks. 

[coalherd]

I love that Grassie plays a tough schedule. Wish we could get our basketball and football teams to do the same.

Shhhhhhh, 129.  Be careful saying that last sentence TOO loudly around here!  Some on here may not take too kindly to it!  ;D

[coalherd]

Last year got us a #1 preseason rank.  After that starting point, our #5 ranking is based on this year's work.

When you tie the #3 ranked team and the #10 ranked team and a previously ranked team, those ties don't really hurt you.  The only loss was to the #11 team (off 2 PKs) and we beat the #17 ranked team, #26 & #27 RV teams.

Nobody else has played the schedule we've played so far.  Now over the next month we play a somewhat easier schedule--it's gotta be all wins from here on out, or ties or loses will us knock down in the standings.

Spot on, sardistim.  Not just the ranked teams that we played either.  Take JMU, whom we beat 6-1 in the season's opener.  Since then they've lost to NC State, 2-1, but have beaten Kansas City 2-0, George Mason 2-0, College of Charleston 1-0, Delaware 3-0, Virginia 1-0, and Elon 2-0.  Six shut out wins and gave up two goals in one loss to an ACC school  And the HERD got SIX goals on them in the opener!  Not too shabby, IMO!

[sardistim]

Here's the website I follow that tracks and calculates college soccer RPI. We are now currently 5th in RPI (we were 13th before the WVU-Akron-UK games).  The other thing to note is that we have the 2nd toughest Strength of Schedule in the country to date (Creighton has played Indiana, Georgetown, and two other teams that are still undefeated, but Creighton is also 1-4-1.

http://rpiupdatemenssoccer.blogspot.com/search/label/RPI%20Rank?m=1

Our problem is going to be the next 4 weeks.  Until the Charlotte game near the end of the season, we are largely going to play conference teams that are going to weigh down the SOS and RPI.  We finish strong against Charlotte, South Carolina, and FIU, but we need to roll out lots W's the next 4 weeks.

This is the RPI site I keep an eye on.

[herdfan129]

How important is the RPI in determining NCAAT seeds in college soccer?

People who only started following last year may not realize how big of a deal this is in soccer, but the higher seed hosts all the way until the College Cup. So we really need a high seed to have home field until the College Cup. Could you imagine how electric the atmosphere would be at Hoops Family Field if we were playing an Elite 8 game with winner going to the College Cup?

[parshall2marshall]

Herd posted a 2-0 decision over Butler at Hoops Field earlier this evening. Game started a 5 PM with temp. @79F.

Pedro D. scored both goals and narrowly missed a 3rd when his sharp header hit the crossbar. 3rd straight clean sheet for Semmle ( 4 saves ).

Grassie now 50-25-13 at MU and becomes the fastest Herd Soccer coach to 50 wins.

SIAP here : https://www.herdfans.com/12thman/index.php?topic=111533.0

[sardistim]

How important is the RPI in determining NCAAT seeds in college soccer?

People who only started following last year may not realize how big of a deal this is in soccer, but the higher seed hosts all the way until the College Cup. So we really need a high seed to have home field until the College Cup. Could you imagine how electric the atmosphere would be at Hoops Family Field if we were playing an Elite 8 game with winner going to the College Cup?

Supposedly the RPI is a big factor in setting seeds.  What's said and what happens behind closed doors???

[MUther]

Supposedly the RPI is a big factor in setting seeds.  What's said and what happens behind closed doors???

That's where last year should help.  They can't seed another team higher because they feel that team has the potential to go farther in the tournament.  We've shown we can finish.

[svherd]

Solid win last night. We controlled possession much of the game. Defensive communication much better as well. Looks like we are getting into post season form. Beat ODU this weekend and get a much needed break until FAU on the 9th.

[parshall2marshall]

[CoachMaclid]

How important is the RPI in determining NCAAT seeds in college soccer?

From the NCAA Men's Soccer Championships manual...

====================================

Section 2.4 Selection Criteria
The following criteria shall be employed by a governing sports committee in selecting participants for NCAA championships competition:
● Won-lost record;
● Strength of schedule; and
● Eligibility and availability of student-athletes for NCAA championships.
In addition to Bylaw 31.3.3, the Men's Soccer Committee shall consider the following criteria in the selection of at-large teams for the men's soccer championship (not necessarily in priority order):
● Adjusted Rating Percentage Index (RPI), which includes:
- Won-lost-tied record (25%).
- Opponents' strength of schedule (50%).
- Opponents' opponents' strength of schedule (25%).
- Bonus/penalty system (see below).
● Head-to-head competition.
● Results versus common opponents.
● Strength and results against nonconference opponents.
● Results against teams already selected (including automatic qualifiers with an RPI of 1-75).
● Late-season performance in last eight games (strength and results).
● Strength and results against conference opponents.
Recommendations provided by regional advisory committees also shall be considered by the Men's Soccer Committee. Coaches? polls and/or any other outside polls or rankings are not used as a criterion by the Men's Soccer Committee for selection purposes.

========================================

So even though we were Top 8 in the human polls, they are excluded as ranking criteria whereas RPI is specifically provided as one of the criteria.  We were 17th in RPI last year.  There are 4 regional advisory committees that provide input to the committee that can be considered.  Charlotte's men's head coach is the C-USA rep on our regional advisory committee.