Season long look at UL's trek through the Baseball RPI rankings

[GoneGolfin]

C'mon guys. I would not have the Cajuns in my Top 25 either. They are not far away, probably Top 30. But I do not see any teams in the CB Top 25 or BA Top 25 that I would have behind the Cajuns at this point, except maybe Southern Cal (ranked #25 in BA). But there are also a few teams that I would slot in front of the Cajuns for that last spot in the BA poll.

Brian

Just so some of you do not get too down on BA with respect to the rankings, the Cajuns were considered by at least Aaron Fitt (one of the three that decides the rankings).

That said, I am not a fan of the criteria they use. But I think that they have the Cajuns slotted correctly right now.

From the Chat ...

Q: Joe from CA asks:
How close is Maryland in your ranking of top 25, they took 2 of 3 from Clemson this weekend, should of taken 2 of 3 at Miami prior weekend and took 2 of 3 AT NC State?
A:

Aaron Fitt: If we had an open spot in our Top 25 this week, Maryland would have been a leading contender to fill it, along with Missouri, Arizona, Louisiana-Lafayette, Tulane, Ohio State, Stetson and College of Charleston. I think all of those have worthy cases for the rankings.

[Zeebart21]

Hey Brian, the bad blood with respect to BA comes from 2000. Dont know the other dudes, but John Manuel is a goober.

Z.

[GoneGolfin]

Hey Brian, the bad blood with respect to BA comes from 2000. Dont know the other dudes, but John Manuel is a goober.

Z.

I know about 2000. I had a conversation with Manuel myself concerning 2000.

Brian

[Zeebart21]

I know about 2000. I had a conversation with Manuel myself concerning 2000.

Brian

Kind of like talking to a rock? LOL

Z.

[TuffGuy84]

Of all teams in the belt this year, I would not have picked FIU to be a RPI graveyard, yet their RPI is around 222 according to boydsworld, why are they SO low this year, even with a winning record.

Also, I know Its early, but I want to know what you think we need to do to have a shot as a host for a regional (As in a sub 16 RPI and/or conference championship and/or conference championship). I'd love to see us do it, and with LSU and Tulane having down years, you would think that there would be an open spot in the region.

Its all early, but its fun to think.

Thanks in advance,
Tuffguy

[Cajun Express]

Of all teams in the belt this year, I would not have picked FIU to be a RPI graveyard, yet their RPI is around 222 according to boydsworld, why are they SO low this year, even with a winning record.

Also, I know Its early, but I want to know what you think we need to do to have a shot as a host for a regional (As in a sub 16 RPI and/or conference championship and/or conference championship). I'd love to see us do it, and with LSU and Tulane having down years, you would think that there would be an open spot in the region.

Its all early, but its fun to think.

Thanks in advance,
Tuffguy

IMO we do not host unless both of those schools are a three seed. Being a number one seed at the Box or the Shrine on Airline would suck. I agree with your view that we need to host to proceed to the CWS. Clearly it would be very difficult to win one road series against quality competition, much less two.

[rhineaux]

IMO we do not host unless both of those schools are a three seed. Being a number one seed at the Box or the Shrine on Airline would suck. I agree with your view that we need to host to proceed to the CWS. Clearly it would be very difficult to win one road series against quality competition, much less two.

I know teams have hosted as #2 seeds, but as a #3 seed? If I were on the selection comittee, i would have a hard time with that, but that's probably why I'll never be on that committee. I would think that if LSU were to even get into the tournament, which at only a few games over .500, its questionable, although their RPI and SOS are still rather high, I doubt they would be a three or four seed. Its a tough comparison because we're crossing sports barriers, but, look at the season that Duke had this year, it was pretty bad, but they still ended up with a #6 seed (which would be a #2 in a regional). However, LSU baseball still has some work to do to get to where Duke was, they are bad this year, but they're not in the position that Duke was. I guess point being that because they're LSU, they'll get credit for their NC's in the 90s. If we, or Tulane wants to host another regional, we better do it this year, because i doubt any of us will get another after they get that new crib next year.

I don't know much about that team, but are they 16-2 v. Kentucky bad, or is it not that bad or what? Brian? Any comments? Is it a new system? Is it poor recruiting catching up?

[GoneGolfin]

I know teams have hosted as #2 seeds, but as a #3 seed?

He was not suggesting that a #3 seed would host. Simply that we would need LSU and Tulane to be #3 seeds in order to host. I do not agree with this. But I also do not think we will be hosting this season due to a number of reasons. Of course it is still early and things (including opinions) can change.

No #3 seed (since the new tournament format commenced in '99) has ever hosted as a #3 seed. I do not think one ever will (I think the NCAA SC would make the team a #2 seed, as they have done with Minnesota in the past). There were some #3 seed hosts in the previous six team regional format. Texas was one.

I don't know much about that team, but are they 16-2 v. Kentucky bad, or is it not that bad or what? Brian? Any comments? Is it a new system? Is it poor recruiting catching up?

Some of it is simply a new system. Some of it is the youth on the team. Some of it is lack of talent in some areas and that Manieri has just begun building the team he wants. LSU is in the middle of transforming itself from the power ball type program it was (and has not been successful since the 2000 CWS) to one that is more pitching and defense oriented. It will take a couple of years.

LSU has really suffered in the offensive production department this year (and last). The meat of their order is composed of freshman! With freshman, you are going to have inconsistency. Some of the veterans (such as Hollander and Waguespack) are not producing as expected (understatement). The pitching staff is not very deep, but there are some good arms here. The depth will come in the next couple of years. The Friday night starter (Furbush) is learning how to pitch at the Div. I level. He has good stuff. Not many lefties can touch 94 with a big breaking ball. But he is still making mistakes. I do see progress though. Jared Bradford (JC transfer) has been solid as a #2. The Tigers just got T.J. Forrest into the rotation a couple of weeks ago. Forrest is a true freshman that was the top high school pitching prospect in Louisiana last year. Sophomore Louis Coleman has made the transition to the closer role.

LSU is going to take its lumps this season. But I do not think they are far from being an NCAA Regional participant and still could be this season.

Brian

[Cajun Express]

I know teams have hosted as #2 seeds, but as a #3 seed? If I were on the selection comittee, i would have a hard time with that, but that's probably why I'll never be on that committee. If we, or Tulane wants to host another regional, we better do it this year, because i doubt any of us will get another after they get that new crib next year.

I don't know much about that team, but are they 16-2 v. Kentucky bad, or is it not that bad or what? Brian? Any comments? Is it a new system? Is it poor recruiting catching up?

My argument is we need to be a number one seed, and they need to be no better than a three seed if we are to host. :o :o :o :o :o

[rhineaux]

My argument is we need to be a number one seed, and they need to be no better than a three seed if we are to host. :o :o :o :o :o

I know what your argument was. I was just saying that the NCAA loves to reward teams on past performances, and that may come into play this year with LSU blowing, but still perhaps hosting a regional. they would not be a #1 seed, PROBABLY a #2 even though they wouldn't deserve it, but would most likely deserve a #3. And becuase they can pack 7k fans in there, I was wondering if the NCAA would reward them with being a host because of what they've done in the past, even though they don't deserve a spot anywhere in the Top 32 teams.