D-II games do not count towards RPI, conference standings, or very much in NCAA playoff consideration. So let’s throw all of those out. That means so far all we have is a loss against High Point. RPI-wise, that winless record is good for 2nd best in the SoCon. I’m not kidding. Out of 32 D-I conferences the SoCon is currently #31 (right above the Southland conference).
It’s still REALLY early. Honestly, it’s too early to pay attention to RPI. But that doesn’t make me feel any better about the fact that we only have 1 team in the Top-100 and 6 teams in the Bottom-40.
But it’s not just the RPI that shows you how bad this conference is. As a conference, we are 2-11 against (mediocre) D-I competition. Not to mention, most of those losses weren’t even close. Let’s take a look:
North Division (RPI/Team/Record)
#98 UNC-Greensboro — Lost to High Point 81-73
#108 Appalachian State — Lost to High Point 86-64
#272 Elon — Lost to Butler 74-59
#323 Samford — Lost to Austin Peay 75-64
#338 UT-Chattanooga — Hasn’t played a D-I game.
#333 Western Carolina — Lost to UNC-Asheville 71-61
South Division (RPI/Team/Record)
#122 Georgia Southern — Lost to Valpo 85-54 & UNCC 66-53
#140 The Citadel — Beat VMI 84-76 & Lost to Air Force 77-70
#208 Charleston — Beat Towson 75-58
#306 Wofford — Lost to Colorado 74-59
#325 Davidson — Lost to New Mexico 86-81
#331 Furman — Lost to Columbia 68-47
If anything, this at least gives us an opportunity to compete for a championship this year. When we get into conference play, SOMEONE has to win. It might as well be us. We can start off by winning tonight against Campbell.
