[a.d.a.m.]

While I agree that ranking shouldn't take on too much importance in selecting a partner, a certain amount of respect and consideration should be given to those teams that just find a way to win. Even if a team has had the softest schedule in the competition, winning enough matches to rank highly is still a tough job. It may be due to some intangible that this team is winning, and it is often the intangibles that win champoinships (in any sport).