1. Reason #1: North Carolina - A team featuring as many young players as North Carolina was bound to lose games early. That would happen no matter how talented those players are together. That is part of the reason why I didn't have them #2 in my Sweet 16. Pittsburgh had the older, more experienced team, and therefore was in better position to do well. Of course, North Carolina might just be the #2 team in the country this year, but it is more likely that as the pre-ACC season goes on, we will see them falter, especially against more experienced squads like Gonzaga.
2. Reason #2: Gonzaga - I can't remember that far back, but this might be the first time in the last six years that Gonzaga did not make the pre-season rankings. Although they are constantly replacing the parts, the whole seems to succeed each season. Gonzaga deserved at least to be in the #20-#25 range, just based on talent returning and the ability to win under coach Mark Few. The Zags showed that again on Wednesday night, taking down what will now be former #2, North Carolina.
3. Reason #3: Boston College - The Eagles fell to 1-2 after losing to Providence on Wednesday night. Not exactly soaring high. Boston College was supposed to be the #2 or #3 team in the ACC this season. And yet, their season so far consists of losses to Providence, a team that can only hope to reach the top half of the Big East, and Vermont, from the America East conference, one of the bottom five conferences last season. And the loss last night comes with 6-10 Sean Williams back in the middle for BC. Not a great beginning for a team which began the season ranked #15 and now will most likely be unranked come Monday.
4. Reason #4: Butler - Here's a case for the mid-majors to get some respect in the pre-season rankings, if they are going to exist. When the season started, the only three ranked teams outside of the Big 6 conferences were Memphis, Creighton, and Nevada. Now Butler, who didn't even receive one vote in either poll before the season will be playing for the NIT pre-season title. This is after knocking off Notre Dame, Indiana (who did receive votes), Tennessee (#25 pre-season, and #21 now). And now they get to face Reason #2, Gonzaga. Just for making New York, Butler gets to take home almost 9% of the revenues from the tournament. They might just be adding a banner and a Top 25 rankings.
5. Reason #5: Not every team was scheduled to play a "real" game until yesterday - The preseason ratings came out almost a month ago. And yet, not every Division I team played a game against another Division I opponent until Cal State Fullerton and Grambling played their games last night. So, basically, you set up expectations that couldn't even be proved partially incorrect until almost a month later. In the meantime, you had three weeks worth of games, with teams moving the rankings, and yet not every team played. Sounds like there is a flaw in there somewhere.

The MRI numbers filled in this morning. The first release of the MRI rankings will be on Monday, right on time. As of right now, a certain scarlet and grey team leads, just like in that other sport the MRI covers. I guess some things never change.

That's it for 5 Things. If you have any tips from the day of basketball, be sure to send them on.

Ben Miraski writes for MRISports.com and is a featured blogger on FanIQ. Readers can contact Ben at bmiraski@mrisports.com