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

[Cajun Express]

Gone Golfin, tell me what happens if the Cajuns take two or more at ASU in Tempe, beat Tulane, and continue to win near 80% of their games. Are there not sixteen regionals now? I would think not being given a regional would and should be unthinkable.

My unthinkable almost always start with a dream of a perfect season.

[GoneGolfin]

Gone Golfin, tell me what happens if the Cajuns take two or more at ASU in Tempe, beat Tulane, and continue to win near 80% of their games. Are there not sixteen regionals now? I would think not being given a regional would and should be unthinkable.

My unthinkable almost always start with a dream of a perfect season.

I would turn it around and say that hosting a regional is certainly not unthinkable. But it would be difficult, even in the scenario that you describe.

First, the media and press box facilities at Moore Field will hurt the Cajuns' chances. There are so many nice new and renovated ballparks around in 2007 that were not in 2000. But facilities questions aside ...

UL will face stiff competition from the state of Texas. I see Rice, Texas, and maybe Texas A&M hosting. Two of those schools could easily be national seeds. If the season ended today, all three would be hosting.

The West will also pose some problems. I see the West being awarded at least four host regionals, with the possibility of five. Last season the West only hosted three. Pat Murphy of Arizona State replaces Mike Gaski of North Carolina-Wilmington on the NCAA Selection Committee this season. Thus, there will be a stronger lobby for western regionals (and rightfully so). If the season ended today I believe that Oregon State, Pepperdine, and at least two of Cal State-Fullerton, Long Beach State, Arizona State, and San Diego would host.

Other "nearby" regional possibilities (excluding Tulane for now) include Arkansas (possible national seed) and Mississippi. I think the SEC gets four regionals. Vanderbilt and South Carolina are cinches.

Ohio State and Minnesota are playing well and are excellent possibilities to host a northern regional. Wichita State has an excellent shot as well. Nebraska will be in the running. Oklahoma State and Oklahoma will aggressively bid and will be in the running.

In the ACC, Florida State, North Carolina, and Virginia look like locks. The ACC has a good chance of landing four regionals. Clemson or NC State could be the fourth.

So, when you add up the numbers and only grant the West four regionals, it does not look good ...

Here is a trial guestimate ...
Vanderbilt
South Carolina
Arkansas
Mississippi
Florida State
North Carolina
Virginia
Ohio State/Minnesota
Wichita State
Rice
Texas
Texas A&M
Oregon State
Pepperdine
Cal State-Fullerton/Long Beach State
San Diego/Arizona State

Missing from the above list are ... Nebraska, Clemson, NC State, Tulane, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Southern Mississippi, and Louisiana. This is not an exhaustive list of candidates, but illustrates how difficult it will be.

Impossible? No. But this will be a very big hill to climb. It may take a top 10 RPI (it is very different than 2000). If the NCAA thinks the Cajuns are a #1 seed, they have a chance (this is where facilities and bid amount will come in). The best thing the Cajuns can do is keep winning. The rest will take care of itself.

And yes, it is fun to think about. :-)

Brian

[DestinCajun]

Gone Golfin, tell me what happens if the Cajuns take two or more at ASU in Tempe, beat Tulane, and continue to win near 80% of their games. Are there not sixteen regionals now? I would think not being given a regional would and should be unthinkable.

My unthinkable almost always start with a dream of a perfect season.

Thanks!

[jay bee]

First, the media and press box facilities at Moore Field will hurt the Cajuns' chances...

Are facilities that big of a factor? Wasn't there a regional site in the past few years that did not lights so games could not be played late?

Our attendance seems to be up this year--could that be a factor? If Baton Rouge and New Orleans are not regional sites, do our changes increase?

Anyway it goes, our best chances of hosting or participating in post-season play is continuing to win, right?

[ulforlife]

Gone Golfin, tell me what happens if the Cajuns take two or more at ASU in Tempe, beat Tulane, and continue to win near 80% of their games. Are there not sixteen regionals now? I would think not being given a regional would and should be unthinkable.

My unthinkable almost always start with a dream of a perfect season.

Why don't y'all stop thinking about regionals and start thinking about the cajuns giving up 9 runs in the 5th and blowing a 6 run lead...

[Mineshaft]

Why don't y'all stop thinking about regionals and start thinking about the cajuns giving up 9 runs in the 5th and blowing a 6 run lead...

Exactly......

[Cajunsmike]

Exactly......

I guarantee not one player or coach at FIU was thinking about a regional, they were just figuring out how to stop the bleeding. Bullpen has it's first bad day of the season. Every unit of every squad has them at least a couple of times a year. A few of those hits in the big FIU inning had eyes that found holes. The team had it's head in the right place. What fans think has little impact.

[DestinCajun]

Why don't y'all stop thinking about regionals and start thinking about the cajuns giving up 9 runs in the 5th and blowing a 6 run lead...

Because a lot goes into being selected as a regional host and the main question here is whether the Cajuns have a snowball's chance in hell of hosting IF they deserve it at the end of the season. You have to be kidding if you think this talk changes the score of today's game.

[Cajun Express]

Why don't y'all stop thinking about regionals and start thinking about the cajuns giving up 9 runs in the 5th and blowing a 6 run lead...

It was not a good day to say the least. Are you suggesting as a fan, I should not enjoy the moment and look forward to great things? Just sit around in fear that all will come apart. I know you are not saying that. Yes I am very much in the dumps today.........

[gorcajun]

_ Why don't y'all stop thinking about regionals and start thinking about the cajuns giving up 9 runs in the 5th and blowing a 6 run lead... _

Baseball scored more than 1/3 of the points that a potential National Championship basketball team scored. Tell me who show go back to the drawing board??????

14-13 That's averaging at least one run per inning. You're team did not average 1 point per MINUTE, including free throws. Go Figure