Talking college baseball with Jay & Brian...

[GoneGolfin]

today on Bird'e Eye View. Either in the 4pm or 5pm hour.

Brian

[Turbine]

I'll be there.

[CajunCall]

I heard most of the show, how many wins would it have taken for UL to get in the big batters box? ps Brian sure knows his stuff.

[GoneGolfin]

CajunCall said:
I heard most of the show, how many wins would it have taken for UL to get in the big batters box?
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After seeing the selections, I think that if the Cajuns had finished above .500 (winning that last game against MTSU and making it to Saturday), the NCAA would have extended an at-large bid to the Cajuns (finishing at 31-30). Both Houston (29-28 in '01) and UCLA (30-29 in '99) received at-large bids after finishing one game over .500. New Mexico State would have been sitting at home. Making it to the Championship game on Saturday (two more wins) and finishing 32-30 would have been a sure bid to the NCAA tournament.

The reason?

1) Louisiana would have had a better RPI than New Mexico State (they still do).

2) Louisiana would have had a better record in conference games, 18-11 to 15-11. The Cajuns would have established themselves as the #2 team in the Sun Belt.

3) New Mexico State went two and out in the conference tournament. The NCAA does not like this (see TCU).

4) The Cajuns have had plenty of past success in the NCAA tournament, including taking LSU to the final game in Baton Rouge last year. New Mexico State had not won an NCAA tournament game until today.

5) The Cajuns and Aggies split four games this year, with the Cajuns winning the last one going away. Three of the four games were played at New Mexico State.

6) Louisiana finished the season stronger than New Mexico State.

7) The NCAA rewards teams for playing strong schedules. The Cajuns had a very strong schedule this year. NMSU did not.

However, the Cajuns finished .500, which made them ineligible for postseason play. The same fate fell upon Southern California as they were swept by Washington in the final conference series to finish 28-28.

Brian

[Turbine]

You are a jewel. Diamond perhaps.

I was afraid I would miss the show, so I called and asked Jay to record it, but he was out of mini disks.

Fortunatly I heard the show, your grasp of the national scene is amazing.

I must say though, last years show was better.

[GoneGolfin]

Turbine said:
You are a jewel. Diamond perhaps.

I was afraid I would miss the show, so I called and asked Jay to record it, but he was out of mini disks.

Fortunatly I heard the show, your grasp of the national scene is amazing.

I must say though, last years show was better.
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Thanks Turbine.

We did a few shows last year. Are you referring to the one in which I picked the regional winners off of the cuff?

Stay tuned ... we will probably do another show next week previewing the super-regionals.

Brian

[Turbine]

Originally posted by GoneGolfin
Turbine said:
I must say though, last years show was better.

We did a few shows last year. Are you referring to the one in which I picked the regional winners off of the cuff?...
Brian

That certainly was a fun show.

Last years show was better, because, the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana were in the mix.

ps I think your willingness to go out on a limb makes for great radio.

[GoneGolfin]

Turbine said:
That certainly was a fun show.

Last years show was better, because, the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana were in the mix.
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I agree. There is definitely more interest and hype when the Cajuns are in the thick of it. Next time the Cajuns go to the CWS, Jay and I will have to do a good preview segment in Omaha.

P.S. If the Jaguar pitching that remains can survive Florida State tomorrow, it looks like the Jaguars will be coming to Austin for the super-regional.

Brian

[California Cajun]

I caught part of that interview Friday and it was very insightful. Enjoyed it very much!

[Turbine]

I was wondering how many of the regional winners saved their regular season starter for Saturday.

I thought it was a good move by Smoke last year I think it is a good move this year.

[GoneGolfin]

I was wondering how many of the regional winners saved their regular season starter for Saturday.

I thought it was a good move by Smoke last year I think it is a good move this year.
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Off of the top of my head, I don't know them all. But I do know that the following teams did not throw their aces on Friday (some regional winners, some not, some #2 seeds) ...

LSU, Tulane, Texas, Baylor, Florida State, South Alabama, Nebraska, South Carolina, California State-Fullerton, Miami, Rice, Georgia Tech, and Auburn.

You could say that not throwing their ace backfired on only one of the teams (Georgia Tech).

Brian