Looking at it practically, the ceiling has been lower in Independence with just one ap ranking at 25 the very 1st year of independence. The prior 5 years in the MWC had a 23, 16, 14, and 12 end of season ranking.
When talking about ceilings I look at it practically. I don't consider Vanderbilt to have the same ceiling as Alabama, or Utah to have the same ceiling as USC just because they are all P5.