RPI Watch

[Bandwagon King]

Although they would say otherwise, I doubt Paul Mainieri or Spencer Turnbull want any more of us.

I'll guarantee you they don't. As good as LSU is playing right now, Manieri knows what UL would do to his ball club in a super regional either here or there. That's why he said what he did the other day. He was politicking already to get as far away from UL as possible. His hope is that LSU & UL end up with their own national seeds & some how another team knocks us out before Omaha. He knows his guys can hang with anybody else in the country playing conventional baseball. But he realizes how bad that @$$ whipping would have been without the rain. his team went into a little funk after that. He'd be squarely on the hot seat if that game had gone nine innings & we wouldn't have their RPI to help us. Because that whole team would have had a complete collapse in confidence.

[CajunDreDog]

As of right now...

	Record					Rating Percentage Index		Strength of Schedule		Polls
Team	W	L	T	Win Pct	Rank	RPI	Rank	SOS	Rank	CBN	Coaches
Florida	40	20	0	0.6667	39	0.6053	1	0.5947	1	11	12
Virginia	44	13	0	0.7719	4	0.6049	2	0.5518	21	4	3
Florida State	43	15	0	0.7414	10	0.6036	3	0.5632	7	6	5
Indiana	41	13	0	0.7593	6	0.6027	4	0.5433	37	9	18
Louisiana	52	7	0	0.8814	1	0.5977	5	0.5087	117	2	2
Oregon State	42	11	0	0.7925	3	0.5970	6	0.5347	51	1	1
Vanderbilt	41	18	0	0.6949	23	0.5932	7	0.5690	5	18	10
Rice	40	18	0	0.6897	26	0.5916	8	0.5611	9	20	16
Texas	38	18	0	0.6786	33	0.5908	9	0.5718	4	28	20
LSU	43	14	1	0.7500	7	0.5900	10	0.5400	41	14	8
Houston	43	15	0	0.7414	10	0.5894	11	0.5480	29	19	17
TCU	41	15	0	0.7321	13	0.5884	12	0.5468	33	12	19
South Carolina	42	16	0	0.7241	14	0.5859	13	0.5473	31	15	6
Ole Miss	41	18	0	0.6949	23	0.5858	14	0.5548	17	13	14
Miami	41	17	0	0.7069	19	0.5848	15	0.5532	19	3	11
Cal Poly	45	10	0	0.8182	2	0.5833	16	0.5019	148	5	4
Texas Tech	40	18	0	0.6897	26	0.5823	17	0.5546	18	27	21
Oklahoma State	45	15	0	0.7500	7	0.5808	18	0.5334	55	7	8
Louisville	45	14	0	0.7627	5	0.5759	19	0.5225	79	10	7
Kentucky	35	23	0	0.6034	76	0.5755	20	0.5726	3		30
Indiana State	35	16	0	0.6863	29	0.5671	21	0.5193	88		27
Alabama	34	22	0	0.6071	72	0.5669	22	0.5620	8		25
Oregon	42	18	0	0.7000	22	0.5666	23	0.5228	78	16	15
Maryland	36	20	0	0.6429	47	0.5665	24	0.5417	39		40
Nebraska	40	18	0	0.6897	26	0.5649	25	0.5273	70	24	23
Washington	38	15	1	0.7130	17	0.5643	26	0.5193	87	8	13
UNLV	35	22	0	0.6140	65	0.5631	27	0.5393	42		35
Dallas Baptist	40	19	0	0.6780	34	0.5619	28	0.5231	77		40
Liberty	41	16	0	0.7193	16	0.5606	29	0.5078	123		31
Long Beach State	32	24	0	0.5714	95	0.5602	30	0.5591	12

[wcd35]

That's wrong. The NCAA released the current official as of last night and we're behind Oregon St still. It's posted above

[GoneGolfin]

That's wrong. The NCAA released the current official as of last night and we're behind Oregon St still. It's posted above

Just enough incorrect game results to affect some of the rankings.

Brian

[lcitsh]

I know that the national seeds are handed out using RPI, and that the small amount of delineation usually involves conference championships, etc. But there also has to be at least a small amount of human element. As BWK said, the eyeball test has to come in at some point. And there will always be P5 conference bias. But it made me think, as far as perception goes, is there any way that the showing the softball team has had this year could have a small amount of influence if anything comes down to perception?

I know the SB-C was a pretty decent league this season, but again, we are talking perception here. And the perception is that the SB-C is a nothing conference (which, if you judge by administration tems, it absolutely is). But having our Ragin Cajun ladies on ESPN two days in a row, listening to the mediots talk up our P5 opponent, and our team just cruching their faces, could there be a little help there as far as perception of UL?

"This baseball team has a great record and all, but they play in the Sun Belt"

"Well, I heard someone say that about their softball team too, and I just watched them SPANK a mighty Arizona team. Maybe this baseball team has the same kind of potential"

I don't know. I'm just kind of thinking that if it comes down to it, any sliver of good could help us secure an "on the bubble" national seed. And it definitely cannot hurt.

Way to go ladies! And let's go guys, leave no doubt today. Bring home the title!!

GEAUX CAJUNS!!!!!!!

I understand we are talking perception, but the baseball selection committee normally (my opinion) has knowledgeable baseball people serving on the committee. The Sun Belt has been a very strong baseball conference for a number of years, and people around the country know this. As an example, in 2009, the SBC was the 7th rated conference according to the rpi. In 2010 and 2011, it was #6, it dropped to #16 in 2012, flew back up to #5 last year, and is #11 this year. FIU's and FAU's departures probably have quite a bit to do with the drop this season, but the conference, I would think, should still be viewed in a positive light by this committee.

[sportsfanatic21]

I understand we are talking perception, but the baseball selection committee normally (my opinion) has knowledgeable baseball people serving on the committee. The Sun Belt has been a very strong baseball conference for a number of years, and people around the country know this. As an example, in 2009, the SBC was the 7th rated conference according to the rpi. In 2010 and 2011, it was #6, it dropped to #16 in 2012, flew back up to #5 last year, and is #11 this year. FIU's and FAU's departures probably have quite a bit to do with the drop this season, but the conference, I would think, should still be viewed in a positive light by this committee.

In the above quote, I was talking about the SB-C being a decent league this year in softball. The baseball league was atrocious this year, and that's all that matters to the committee THIS YEAR. That, along with the perception of any of the non-P5 leagues, works against us. All of that said, my point was that the ladies proving that mid-majors can be successful in the postseason, specifically THIS (UL) mid-major, MAY help just a little.

At this point, I don't think it matters. All signs point to UL receiving a national seed regardless of today's outcome. But I would love for our guys to leave no doubt.

Geaux Cajuns!!!

[NOCajun]

I understand we are talking perception, but the baseball selection committee normally (my opinion) has knowledgeable baseball people serving on the committee. The Sun Belt has been a very strong baseball conference for a number of years, and people around the country know this. As an example, in 2009, the SBC was the 7th rated conference according to the rpi. In 2010 and 2011, it was #6, it dropped to #16 in 2012, flew back up to #5 last year, and is #11 this year. FIU's and FAU's departures probably have quite a bit to do with the drop this season, but the conference, I would think, should still be viewed in a positive light by this committee.

You would think, but I wouldn't count on it.

[Dad04]

What about LSU? Are they really a win away from a national seed?

[GoneGolfin]

What about LSU? Are they really a win away from a national seed?

I think a win over Florida nets LSU a national seed. They would likely be Top 8 in RPI ... have the #2 conference record in the SEC ... won 2/3 from Ole Miss (one of the competitors for a national seed) ... and would only be the second national seed from the #1 RPI Conference.

Yes, LSU has some warts on their resume. Particularly NC RPI and NC SOS, as well as record vs. RPI Top 25 (would be 6-9 w/ win over Florida) ... (LSU's record vs. RPI Top 50 would be 14-11). But so do the other contenders. For example, Rice is 3-6 vs. RPI Top 25 and 9-11 vs. RPI Top 50.

Brian

[Dad04]

Following up, if they lose, I am guessing they host, possibly lined up with us. Since they are so hot, not my first choice.