Theres been a lot of talk about this years SoCon being better top to bottom and its not just a 3 or 4 team race like last year. Totally not true so far. Right now the top 4 teams(FU, WC, ETSU, UNCG) have 2 losses each. No one else is above .500 in the league and all have at least 5 losses. Subject to change.
BETTER SOCON?
on the other hand, if you look at Ken Pom, the avg of the top 4 teams now are #116 vs #94 last year, and the bottom 4 avg ranking now is #242 vs #278 last year.....so the gap between the top and bottom has closed appreciably
As of 2/3 below are the standings of top 4 vs. top 4
Woff 2-1
ETSU 2-2
Fur 1-1
UNCG 1-2
So the argument can be made that the bottom of the league has gotten better while there is no real power house at the top. Also over the last several years its been more of a top 3 than a top 4 even though the names of the teams have rarely changed except for an occasional Chat, WC, or Mer.
Woff 2-1
ETSU 2-2
Fur 1-1
UNCG 1-2
So the argument can be made that the bottom of the league has gotten better while there is no real power house at the top. Also over the last several years its been more of a top 3 than a top 4 even though the names of the teams have rarely changed except for an occasional Chat, WC, or Mer.
And then VMI beats Wofford in Spartanburg....
apaladin liked this
I think Paul C has it right. The gap between the top and bottom has narrowed appreciably by the bottom getting better wnd the top not as good.
At the time of the OP this was a legit debate. After tonite, it seems like the consensus that the SoCon would be tighter and more competitive is the reality emerging.
DoomedDin1127, apaladin liked this
We are good enough.
DoomedDin1127 liked this
No doubt that the top of the conference is not as good as the last few years. I personally have not been expressed with UNCG-other than Miller.
The bottom has definately stepped up. Using KenPom, here is the ranking of the bottom 3 teams in the league going back to 2015
2021 - 243, 247, 252
2020 - 257, 321, 334
2019 - 257, 277, 288
2018 - 304, 315, 331
2017 - 288, 322, 328
2016 - 221, 309, 312
2015 - 293, 309, 329
2021 - 243, 247, 252
2020 - 257, 321, 334
2019 - 257, 277, 288
2018 - 304, 315, 331
2017 - 288, 322, 328
2016 - 221, 309, 312
2015 - 293, 309, 329
Belmont is 22-1, leading their conference, and getting talk of a possible at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Their only loss was to Samford - by 13 - at Belmont.
UAB is fighting it out for the lead in Conference USA. They are 16-4 and their only non conference loss was to Chattanooga - at UAB.
Mercer beat Georgia Tech (currently tied with Duke for 8th place in the ACC) and Georgia State (only non-conference loss for GSU.)
Western Carolina is last place in the SoCon but beat Colonial #3 College of Charleston in Charleston. WCU has won 4 OT games this year and played close in many of their losses.
A lot of dangerous teams in the SoCon this year, even at the bottom of the standings.
UAB is fighting it out for the lead in Conference USA. They are 16-4 and their only non conference loss was to Chattanooga - at UAB.
Mercer beat Georgia Tech (currently tied with Duke for 8th place in the ACC) and Georgia State (only non-conference loss for GSU.)
Western Carolina is last place in the SoCon but beat Colonial #3 College of Charleston in Charleston. WCU has won 4 OT games this year and played close in many of their losses.
A lot of dangerous teams in the SoCon this year, even at the bottom of the standings.
Yes no doubt teams after the “top 4” are overall better this year. I still believe that the top 4 are not as strong.