‘Had a mind block’: AP voter explains why he didn’t have BYU in his top 25 ballot this week

BYU Cougars guard TJ Haws (30) celebrates with fans who rushed the court after BYU toppled No. 2-ranked Gonzaga 91-78 at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — The explanation was simple: it was a mistake.

When one of the two Associated Press voters who didn’t have BYU in his top 25 ballot this week — less than 48 hours after the Cougars knocked off No. 2 Gonzaga — was asked by a Twitter user why he didn’t BYU ranked, The Washington Post contributing columnist John Feinstein responded:

Screw those rankings. Here's the answer: I screwed up. Mind-block. I'm old. And YES, I watch games.

— John Feinstein (@JFeinsteinBooks) February 24, 2020

BYU landed at No. 17 in the latest poll, up six spots following the victory over the Zags. One media member, the Missoulian’s Jordan Hansen, had BYU 12th on his ballot, the highest the Cougars were ranked by any voter, according to collegepolltracker.com. The Deseret News’ Jeff Call has BYU at No. 15 this week, while the Cougars’ most popular ranking was No. 14, where 15 voters had the team.

Feinstein, after attempting to respond to other questions about his ballot, gave a final response on the situation.

So, I don't have to respond 100 times: I blew it this morning leaving BYU out of my poll. Had a mind block. AP laid off the guy who caught stuff like this last week. He wasn't there to rescue me.

— John Feinstein (@JFeinsteinBooks) February 24, 2020

BYU landed anywhere from No. 12 to No. 23 on every ballot but those of Feinstein and Brian Holland, a TV sports director in Louisiana. Holland did not respond to questions about his ballot on Twitter.

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