Home Women’s Basketball: Virginia, at 11-0, still left on the outside of the AP Top 25
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Women’s Basketball: Virginia, at 11-0, still left on the outside of the AP Top 25

Chris Graham
mckenna dale
UVA guard McKenna Dale. Photo: UVA Athletics

Gee, you have to wonder what Virginia needs to do to get a spot in the women’s Top 25.

The ‘Hoos (11-0) got seven measly points this week to be left way on the outside looking in with the AP Top 25 voting, despite being ranked 25th in the latest NET rankings.

Looking at the reasons why UVA is getting no respect, the strength of schedule, at 205, is one obvious hindrance.

Virginia has just one Quadrant 1 win, the 89-68 win at Penn State (NET: 55, RPI: 18) on Nov. 30.

The Cavaliers have two other wins over Power 5 teams – the 72-52 win over Wake Forest (NET: 82, RPI: 49) on Nov. 13, and the 73-70 win over Minnesota (NET: 112, RPI: 143) on Nov. 26.

Both of those wins were at home.

In any case, 11-0 is 11-0.

Arkansas is 12-0 and jumped into the rankings at 21st this week with its NET at 39.

Oklahoma (8-1) is 24th in the poll this week with an NET at 56.

Whatever.

The first real test for Virginia comes on Dec. 21 when Virginia travels to Durham to face Duke (NET: 13, RPI: 10).

Duke (10-1) is also unranked despite its gawdy computer numbers.

Another one to watch, two weeks later, on Jan. 5, the ‘Hoos face sixth-ranked Virginia Tech (NET: 8, RPI: 9) in Blacksburg.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].