Not the best thread for this but don´t want to start another one...
I had not fully appreciated the increase in level of competition from non-conference play to B1G schedule until I checked some numbers. Below are median rankings of the two schedules:
Massey 88.5, 48
Sagarin ??, 52 (format not conducive to fast non-conference #s)
Moore 80.5, 48
RPI 107, 55 (Note: RPI means of 109 and 80 are not consistent with the other systems which have big differences between non-B1G, and modest differences between B1G)
I recall a press conference a few years ago during which CVS said she changed her history of a tough non-conference schedule for a particular year because of player injuries or young players--do not recall but think was Canty redshirt year or perhaps the one after. CVS spoke of players getting mentally beat down with losses. Was this season a similar situation? RU played four teams with top-50 RPI in the non-conference portion of the season and five top-50 RPI teams during the conference portion; the other rating systems have that as three and six, respectively.
Playing armchair psychologist, I think having the two major concurrent records becoming realizable because of good team play during the middle part of the year contributed to the on-court performance issues. I suspect Tyler´s teammates really want her to pass Cappie and deferred to her to a greater degree after seeming to have overcome that early season tendency. I also recall CVS, just before the winning streak ended, saying that the real test is how the team responds after a loss. I think RU then lost the next game or the game after that and were unable to get back on track--the increased quality of opponents certainly a factor--but the loss to Northwestern was surprising. Backs are against the wall now. Let´s go Scarlet Knights! Beat the Boilermakers!