Here is what Rexrode told syracuse.com when asked why he ranked the Orange No.2 this week.



"I decided to put Florida over Syracuse after watching both teams play last week. Simply put, I think Florida is the best team right now, so I put Florida No. 1. There are no rules about dropping an undefeated team and yeah, I did think Syracuse got a bit lucky last week. I also think Syracuse is awfully good -- I do have Cuse No. 2 on my ballot! I realize Florida has had close calls as well, but right now the Gators are functioning as well as anyone at both ends.

The good news for Syracuse fans (many of whom have found me on Twitter, thankfully) is that Syracuse is still No. 1 in the polls. Also, that the polls really don't mean anything."

As Joe indicated, some SU fans have already aired their grievances on Twitter about Joe's poll.

@joerexrode you're an idiot not voting cuse number one. Toughest schedule and Florida is in the cupcake SEC.. Get outta here. Vote revoked — Joseph Borland (@Joe_Lando50) February 17, 2014

@joerexrode is the dumbass who voted Florida #1 this week if you're wondering. #cuse #CuseNation — Matt Subbiondo (@MattSubbiondo) February 17, 2014

Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports had Joe's back.

@MattSubbiondo @joerexrode How dare you have a differing view, Joe? — Pat Forde (@YahooForde) February 17, 2014

@BrentAxeMedia Funny, I bet his exCUSE would be Florida's 2 losses were not at full strength, meanwhile we keep winning down 2 guys — Jeffrey Ames (@semayerffej) February 17, 2014

While some Syracuse fans weren't too thrilled with Joe's choice, others brushed it off.

@BrentAxeMedia SU fans shouldn't care too much about regular season rankings. Getting the 1 seed in the East is what's most important. — Chari Bayanker (@charibayanker) February 17, 2014

@BrentAxeMedia have absolutely no problem with it. We really haven't played well since the duke game. — ? (@Na_Na_Nesci) February 17, 2014

@BrentAxeMedia Eh, I'd get worked up if it mattered even one bit. — rw (@russwilliams3) February 17, 2014

I can appreciate the AP voting process as a voter in the football poll. The AP leaves it open to voters to set their poll the way they see it.

That said, I have to disagree with Joe here. Florida may pass the look test more than Syracuse right now according to some, but the Orange did nothing to lose their top spot in the poll in my eyes. "Lucky" as those wins may have been, they were still wins. Life gets tougher when a team occupies the top spot as you are going to get every opponent's best effort. Every win doesn't have to be a work of art.

If anything, Syracuse should be given more credit for finding a way to win when it matters the most and for someone always rising to the occasion when the big guns struggle. In the case of the N.C. State game that would be Rakeem Christmas nearly having a triple-double.

But that is the beauty of the polls. They are, at best, a quick temperature gauge of what is going on in college basketball and they can change quickly.

What did you think of Joe Rexrode ranking Florida No.1 over Syracuse this week?

Bad call or the polls don't matter?

Drop below in the comments section or contact me at the info below to let us know what you think.

Brent Axe

baxe@syracuse.com

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Find me on Twitter @BrentAxeMedia