BB 2007: Hosting or Not? NOT!

[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

[GoneGolfin]

All of this said, the NCAA might agree that UL has a stronger resume than Wichita State. But they may choose to send UL to a nearby regional as a #2 seed for purposes of keeping geographical harmony and find a "good enough" #2 seed for the Wichita regional that also makes geographic sense.

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

[GoneGolfin]

One big difference why Wichita State was able to get some wins against the Top 25 and Top 50 was that they were able to get these teams to come to their park. They have precious few road wins (like the Cajuns) against such competition. On the road the Shockers have done the following ...

Pepperdine (1-2)
Arkansas (0-1)
Oklahoma (0-1)
Oklahoma State (0-1)
Oral Roberts (0-1)
Kansas State (1-0) (lost to the Wildcats at home)

And of the above teams, only Arkansas has a chance at a national seed. Arizona State is a sure fire national seed.

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

[ShowDog]

_ Hey ya'll, just think what might have been if we had decided to get off the bus yesterday????

Do not blame the NCAA selection committee! WE let ourselves down on this one. NO ONE to blame but us.

L'Ronte' _

You're right. We do this all the time, then cry over spilled milk.

I think we will be a 2 or 3 seed somewhere and will be 2 and out.