So, yeah, I know I don't really put much stock in polls (though they do help when writers want to point out "upsets").

But looking at the AP poll, sometimes you've got to wonder about the qualifications of the voters...

Mel Greenberg's answer to our wondering is simple:

The reason the Scarlet Knights stayed in fifth place and it's a harsh truth: Simply, the knowledge base across the 50-member panel is not as deep as one would like.

He then offers a reconfigured AP poll:

Having spoke of the "knowledge base," the Guru went to the AP voting site and randomly grabbed names of media whose awareness of the scene and rhythm of the season might be more extensive than others. Some exceptions were made to get "beat" writers of local teams in the mix, while not every name was taken from those considered to be a bit more aware, nationally.

The results:
1. Connecticut (10 first-place votes) - Full AP vote: UConn
2. North Carolina (1) - Full AP vote: UNC
3. Rutgers (6) - Full AP vote: Tennessee
4. Maryland - Full AP vote: Maryland
5. Tennessee - Full AP vote: Rutgers
6. LSU - Full AP vote: LSU
7. Stanford - Full AP vote: Stanford
8. Baylor - Baylor

Worth a read -- and it'll be interesting to see how the ESPN/Coaches poll matches up. (Which, of course, raises the question, how much time do THEY spend watching and/or analyzing teams they don't play?)