BB 2007: Hosting or Not? NOT!

[cajundiehard]

_ I am not surprised. I had Mark Etheridge (SEBaseball.com) waffling at the last second (he had A&M and UL ... and was thinking about bringing in Arizona for UL or A&M ... Wichita State was a surprise to him).

But we both agreed that it was a better than even shot that the Cajuns would be a #1 seed and a host. Now we get to find out if we are a #1 seed or not. If we are, we are probably going to Wichita State ... or Texas A&M if Baylor comes back and beats the Aggies.

Brian _

How do you feel about facing Wichita State over there with us as a #1 seed? How is there pitching? Would that be a better scenario for our chances than going to A&M? Any chance we go to Oxford? I don't think Vandy or Rice is likely as UL would certainly be an upper #2 seed if a two. Texas?

[cajundiehard]

If we are, we are probably going to Wichita State ... or Texas A&M if Baylor comes back and beats the Aggies.

Brian _

Who would the other traveling #1 seed be if Wichita and A&M end up #2 seeds?

[RaginCajun918]

I haven't been this disappointed in a really long time...

[Turner]

I will wonder what if what if we had gone to round robin pitching after four innings yesterday.

[GoneGolfin]

Surprised yes but "Shocked" no. The one other thing that could be a slight factor is geography. That will play out when we see the whole field announced tomorrow. The Shockers did not have a winning record against the Top 50 and their non conference RPI was only 48th.

I'm starting to lean more towards geography and facilities as possible reasons. I just don't think the Shockers resume adds up to ours. We were borderline the whole way and keep in mind there are only sixteen slots for 293 teams. The Cajuns have gotten it done all year long on the road so we just have to keep it up.

I think overall UL has a better resume than Wichita State ... which is why I am not convinced we are not a traveling #1 seed. Here is the breakdown ...

RPI (UL 14, WSU 20)
Non-Conference RPI (UL 12, WSU 48)
Road Record (UL 20-12, WSU 20-7)
Record vs. Last 15 (UL 12-3, WSU 9-6)
Record vs. RPI Top 25 (UL 1-5, WSU 2-2)
Record vs. Top 50 RPI (UL 1-5, WSU 9-11)
Record vs. teams being considered for field [RPI Top 75] (UL 15-6, WSU 20-15)
Record vs. Top 100 RPI (UL 20-11, WSU 20-15)
Conference Finish (UL 1st 26-8, WSU 1st 23-6)
Conference RPI (SBC 7, MVC 9)
Conference Tournament Performance (UL 2nd 3-1, WSU 2nd 3-2)
Common Opponents (UL 5-0, WSU 1-1)

The common opponent above is South Alabama. Wichita State split with South Alabama in Wichita. UL won three in Lafayette and two in Mobile, going 5-0 against South Alabama.

Note that while Wichita State has a better road record percentage wise than the Cajuns, they have also played considerably more home games than the Cajuns. WSU has played nine more home games than road games. The Cajuns have played eight more road games than home games.

I give the edge to the Cajuns as far as a #1 seed. But I have been saying for weeks that if the Cajuns are not a #1 seed, it will be because of their record vs. the RPI Top 25 and RPI Top 50. The hosting question is obviously related, but a #1 seed does not guarantee a host regional.

Brian

[LifeTimeCajun]

_ I think overall UL has a better resume than Wichita State ... which is why I am not convinced we are not a traveling #1 seed. Here is the breakdown ...

RPI (UL 14, WSU 20)
Non-Conference RPI (UL 12, WSU 48)
Road Record (UL 20-12, WSU 20-7)
Record vs. Last 15 (UL 12-3, WSU 9-6)
Record vs. RPI Top 25 (UL 1-5, WSU 2-2)
Record vs. Top 50 RPI (UL 1-5, WSU 9-11)
Record vs. teams being considered for field [RPI Top 75] (UL 15-6, WSU 20-15)
Record vs. Top 100 RPI (UL 20-11, WSU 20-15)
Conference Finish (UL 1st 26-8, WSU 1st 23-6)
Conference RPI (SBC 7, MVC 9)
Conference Tournament Performance (UL 2nd 3-1, WSU 2nd 3-2)
Common Opponents (UL 5-0, WSU 1-1)

The common opponent above is South Alabama. Wichita State split with South Alabama in Wichita. UL won three in Lafayette and two in Mobile, going 5-0 against South Alabama.

I give the edge to the Cajuns as far as a #1 seed. But I have been saying for weeks that if the Cajuns are not a #1 seed, it will be because of their record vs. the RPI Top 25 and RPI Top 50. The hosting question is obviously related, but a #1 seed does not guarantee a host regional.

Brian _

Troy dropping out of the top 50 RPI hurt us as for as RPI goes

[J-Town Cajun]

I have been watching ESPN2 and have not seen anything?

[JMV JustMyView]

_ I have been watching ESPN2 and have not seen anything? _

IT WAS ON ESPN, NOT ESPN 2 AND THEY JUST SHOWED THE SITES....

[GoneGolfin]

How do you feel about facing Wichita State over there with us as a #1 seed? How is there pitching? Would that be a better scenario for our chances than going to A&M? Any chance we go to Oxford? I don't think Vandy or Rice is likely as UL would certainly be an upper #2 seed if a two. Texas?

Of all of the options left remaining, I think it is the best chance for the Cajuns to advance. Texas A&M would be next best chance, if we were a #1 seed.

Wichita State does have good pitching.

I don't think we go to Oxford. But it could happen. I have seen stranger things.

I think it would be stupid to send the Cajuns to Rice or Texas, being arguably the top #2 seed and at worst the #18 seed. Some heads would need to be examined over there if we were sent to Vandy. If Vandy wins today, they will be the #1 national seed IMO.

Brian

[J-Town Cajun]

Was there any mention of UL getting screwed?

[GoneGolfin]

Who would the other traveling #1 seed be if Wichita and A&M end up #2 seeds?

UL and Arizona, IMO. But probably only one of Texas A&M and WSU would be #2 seeds, if any. A&M is beating Baylor 5-2 in the 4th. If they win the Big XII Tournament title, they will be a #1 seed.

Brian

[GoneGolfin]

Troy dropping out of the top 50 RPI hurt us as for as RPI goes

Yes ... another thing I have been harping on here and on the radio. Troy is #54 in the RPI.

Brian