"Power Six"

[Aughnanure]

CBS Sports Eye on College Basketball podcast opens discussing what 3 teams have 10 top-50 RPI wins (hint: 2 are from the Big East) and Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander use the term "traditional power six" numerous times when trying to isolate what conference the three teams come from.

Hadn't heard that used before in re: to the new Big East.

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/cbssportscom-eye-on-college-basketball-podcast

[brewcity77]

Not a fan of the term, but suppose it's part of the obsession we have with labeling. Guess it's better for us than not being in the "traditional power six" or ostracized by football conferences.

[g0lden3agle]

Aughnanure where ya been man?

[Galway Eagle]

That's great to hear but in terms of basketball I'm still not sure it is correct. There have been years where the MWC or A10 is stronger than the old ACC or the Pac12. Obviously this is a year where it's the power six and everybody else but I feel strength varies more in basketball

[Marcus92]

According to KenPom, there's a pretty big drop-off between #5 (SEC) and #6 (Pac-12) this season — then another big drop to #7 (AAC).

8 of the 12 teams in the Pac-12 are ranked in the Top 100 — compared to 10/10 for the Big 12, 14/15 for the ACC, 9/10 in the Big East, 14/15 in the Big Ten and 12/14 in the SEC. If you think DePaul (177th) is holding back the Big East, be thankful we don't have Washington St. (198th) or Oregon St. (270th).

After that, things get even dicier. Only 6 of the AAC's 11 teams are top 100 programs. The bottom of the conference includes East Carolina (197th), Tulane (249th) and South Florida (290th). Yeesh.

In the A10, just 6 of 14 teams are in the top 100. St. Joseph's (176th), Fordham (191st), Duquesne (216th) and St. Louis (275th) would all give the Blue Demons a run for the money. And unlike the 7 conferences ranked above the A10, not one team ranks in the top 25.

So what's the standard for a "power" conference in college basketball? I don't think it exists.

[MarquetteDano]

So what's the standard for a "power" conference in college basketball? I don't think it exists.

The media definitions may be different but I think of any league who gets 3+ bids 9/10 years. Do that could include A10, et al.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

To me, it is pretty clearly the "Power 6", then the A10 and the AAC, then the MWC, then MVC and the WCC (thanks to 2 teams), then your classic mid majors (in no particular order) -  CAA, CUSA, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, Mid-American, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Summit, and then a bunch of garbage low majors.

[Aughnanure]

Aughnanure where ya been man?

Around. Reading but avoiding the Scoop freakouts.