Currently UK is behind both Kansas and Purdue in both the NET and the voter polls.
NET:
8 KU (5 losses)
9 Purdue (5 losses)
10 Illinois (6 losses)
11 Gonzaga (6 losses)
12 UK (5 losses)
polls:
10 Purdue
11 Kansas
12 UK
...
18 & 20 Illinois
27 & 32 Gonzaga
So why is this? I think it's pretty evident the unbiased NET weights too much the efficiency metrics. As for the polls, where there is clear potential for bias, I have no other answer than bias.
Comparison.
Lets look at how UK, KU & Purdue have performed (W's & L's). None of them have any "bad" losses. So that leaves "good" wins, and "understandable" losses.
First lets look at "good wins", listed in order for each team from best down.
UK has the best #1 win (since UT was Away & not Neutral),
UK & Purdue have comparable #2 & #3 wins,
and UK easily has the best wins #4, 5, 6, & 7.
Next lets look at losses, listed from best to worst:
The #1 loss is comparable for all 3 schools,
UK has the worst #2 loss,
& the #3, 4 & 5 losses are comparable for all 3 schools.
NET:
8 KU (5 losses)
9 Purdue (5 losses)
10 Illinois (6 losses)
11 Gonzaga (6 losses)
12 UK (5 losses)
polls:
10 Purdue
11 Kansas
12 UK
...
18 & 20 Illinois
27 & 32 Gonzaga
So why is this? I think it's pretty evident the unbiased NET weights too much the efficiency metrics. As for the polls, where there is clear potential for bias, I have no other answer than bias.
Comparison.
Lets look at how UK, KU & Purdue have performed (W's & L's). None of them have any "bad" losses. So that leaves "good" wins, and "understandable" losses.
First lets look at "good wins", listed in order for each team from best down.
UK | Purdue | Kansas |
A 4 UT | N 4 Alabama | N 3 Duke |
N 3 Duke | A 19 Maryland | N 17 Mich St |
N 11 Gonzaga | A 27 Oregon | A 51 Cincy |
H 5 Florida | N 21 Ole Miss | N 42 UNC |
A 22 Miss St | H 20 Michigan | A 62 UCF |
H 16 TAMU | H 48 Northwestern | H 58 Ariz St |
H 25 UL | H 62 UCF |
UK & Purdue have comparable #2 & #3 wins,
and UK easily has the best wins #4, 5, 6, & 7.
Next lets look at losses, listed from best to worst:
UK | Purdue | Kansas |
H 7 Alabama | N 1 Auburn | A 6 Iowa St |
A 30 Clemson | A 15 Marquette | H 2 Houston |
A 35 UGA | N 16 TAMU | A 26 Missouri |
A 38 Vandy | H 28 Ohio St | A 39 Creighton |
N 28 Ohio St | A 50 Penn St | H 41 WV |
UK has the worst #2 loss,
& the #3, 4 & 5 losses are comparable for all 3 schools.