I don't think they'd send us to a 15/16, but you never know.
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I think you could have four Sun Belt teams in the RPI Top 50 and it would have no impact. While the RPI Top 50 peer teams are used to help evaluate an at-large candidate's inclusion in the field of 64, this is not the peer group used to evaluate national seed/host candidacy. This would be the Top 25 ... and we know that the committee has used Top 10 as well in the past (especially for Top 8 national seed consideration).
At 0-1 vs. the RPI Top 25, I do not see it happening. It would require a full reversal over their stated criteria of the recent past. Also, such a reversal would result in deafening cries from Minnesota and the softball community at-large ... making the committee look woefully inconsistent (borderline incompetent) while requiring them to answer questions they will not what to answer. The committee will not want to bring that spotlight down on themselves.
Let us also not forget that the Cajuns have nothing in their resume that makes the case for a national seed/host spot. They still do not have a Top 16 RPI ... and at #18 there is a large gap between them and Michigan at #17. #16 -> #12 is reasonably close.
If things remain roughly as they are, do not be surprised if the Cajuns are not considered a high #2 seed. They quite well may be considered a middling #2 seed.
Brian
Schools that are awarded a national seed outside of the Top 16 RPI are awarded such because they have other significant factors in their favor ... particular a proven record against that peer group. Not only have the Cajuns not performed against this group, they have not played against this group. And it will not matter one bit that the Cajuns had a series canceled against Florida State, a game lost vs. Oklahoma due to weather, Baylor is down, etc., etc.. Those are just excuses. It simply did not work out for the Cajuns this year ... it happens often with the non-power elite softball schools. And knowing Glasco, he will be extremely aggressive in trying to give the Cajuns more wiggle room in the future.
Personally, I like the idea of walking into someone else's backyard as a #2 seed and giving everyone a big s__tburger to eat.
Brian
Much of how it all plays out depends on whom makes the field of 64 ... thus setting up the geographical aspect of the regional selections. The SEC always needs a number of non-SEC schools given the number of teams it places in postseason play. Baton Rouge is certainly a possibility (always), but so is Oxford. It could come down to #2 seeds in the area and the best place for them to go. Austin is also a possibility.
Brian
Team Sheets: https://extra.ncaa.org/solutions/rpi...u%205.5.19.pdf
Nitty Gritty: https://extra.ncaa.org/solutions/rpi...u%205.5.19.pdf
League Rankings: https://extra.ncaa.org/solutions/rpi...u%205.5.19.pdf