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Happy Monday Nova Nation! I hope you all enjoyed another wonderful summer weekend. They’re now 2/3’s of the way gone, so be sure to get in all of the summer fun you can before it’s too late!
Speaking of summer fun, ESPN released their first official BPI (Basketball Power Index) rankings for the 2018-19 season. Now rankings don’t really mean all that much throughout the season besides helping indicate where a team may be seeded. So preseason rankings matter even less. However, if there was ever a time to talk about them it would be the middle of the summer when nothing else is going on!
The BPI is a predictive ranking that tries to predict a team’s future performance rather than what they’ve already accomplished. It distinguishes itself from the other advanced analytic rankings (KenPom, Sagarin, Massey) by claiming to do a better job including factors like Strength of Record and Injuries. A team’s BPI score represents how many points above or below average a team is, and indicates how well they’re expected to do moving forward.
Personally, I don’t think it’s as good as some of the other options I mentioned above, but it’s what we have for the moment when we’re starved for new things to talk about. So here’s a quick rundown of Villanova and all the teams they’ll play this season that landed in the Top 100:
ESPN’s 2018-19 Preseason BPI Rankings
| Rank | Team | BPI | Offense Rank | Defense Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | BPI | Offense Rank | Defense Rank |
| 1 | Kansas | 12 | 2 | 8 |
| 4 | Marquette | 10.6 | 1 | 90 |
| 16 | Villanova | 8 | 15 | 33 |
| 27 | St. John's | 6.7 | 46 | 22 |
| 28 | Butler | 6.5 | 27 | 48 |
| 33 | Florida State | 6.3 | 49 | 26 |
| 39 | LSU | 5.8 | 11 | 139 |
| 40 | Michigan | 5.8 | 85 | 13 |
| 44 | Temple | 5.6 | 43 | 60 |
| 59 | Georgetown | 4.5 | 54 | 85 |
| 61 | Creighton | 4.5 | 73 | 59 |
| 68 | Seton Hall | 4.1 | 78 | 64 |
| 81 | Oklahoma State | 3.4 | 91 | 83 |
| 85 | DePaul | 3.1 | 128 | 53 |
| 88 | Saint Joseph's | 3 | 101 | 84 |
Recognizing that these mean nothing, there are a few interesting takeaways:
- Marquette at #4 with a defensive rank of 90th? ESPN tries to explain themselves here, but this is ridiculous. They’ll be a good team and are widely being considered the Big East’s #2 this year, but the king is still Villanova.
- Speaking of the Wildcats, #16 is a bit low but still within reasonable expectations for a starting spot this season. I’d expect them to fall somewhere between #8 and #15 in most preseason polls.
- Kansas as #1 should make for an intense December matchup, especially if they’re still there when the Wildcats head to Lawrence.
- Michigan down at #40 seems very low. They’re really discrediting the Wolverines offense here due to the big losses they had to the NBA and graduation. I’d expect them to rise quickly, even after a loss on the Main Line.
- I know the rest of the Big East is wide open this season, but did they really rank DePaul in the Top 100 and include them over Xavier and Providence!?!? Go home BPI, you’re drunk.
In other “news”, recruiting, Arch signs in Chicago, Lowry remains silent, and the new season can’t get here fast enough. Enjoy!
Kansas Jayhawks and Gonzaga Bulldogs lead ESPN's college basketball BPI for 2018 | ESPN
ESPN's preseason Basketball Power Index (BPI) has tabbed Kansas, which brings back key upperclassmen and adds three notable transfers, as the best team in the nation.
VCU among finalists for five-star forward Armando Bacot | Richmond.com
Armando Bacot, a five-star rated power forward from Richmond, revealed the final five schools he's considering on Twitter Saturday afternoon. Villanova, who was in his Top 10, didn't make the cut.
Report: Bulls re-sign Ryan Arcidiacono | Yahoo! Sports
According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, the Bulls have re-signed guard Ryan Arcidiacono. Thanks to CoNovaFan for pointing this one out!
Up next for USA Basketball: Waiting, and hoping | Sports | phillytrib.com
Jay Wright headlined a star studded list of assistants on Gregg Popovich’s staff.
Kyle Lowry does not comment on DeMar DeRozan trade by Toronto Raptors | ESPN
Toronto's Kyle Lowry was pressed at a USA Basketball minicamp about the Raptors' trade of friend DeMar DeRozan, but the guard wouldn't answer.
100 days until Champions Classic 2018-19 season | ESPN
There are 100 days until the Champions Classic tips off a new season and the pecking order for 2018-19 is beginning to take shape.
Eye Openers: Would expanded tournament help mid-majors? | QCTimes.com
Since Barry Hinson has served as the head basketball coach at Oral Roberts, Missouri State and Southern Illinois, it’s understandable that he would be outspoken in his support of the so-called mid-major programs.