SB Final: Louisiana 0, Troy 3

[ULvictory]

Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, I have no reason to believe the committee will treat us fairly. Considering their past history in awarding regionals, I have no faith that they will do the right thing.

The entire selection process in softball is one big mystery compared to baseball.

[VObserver]

No mystery: The committee looks at the top 50 or so RPI teams, decides who they want to host and who they want to get at large bids, then plays with the criteria they use in such a way that they get the outcome they want.

Honestly; the only fair method is to set a standard by which teams are measured; make it transparent and understandable and fire the committee. Just take the 64 teams that finish at the top of those standard criteria and have a tournament. No auto-bids, but a set of criteria that is fair to all. I could live with the RPI as it now stands in softball; rewards for good wins out of conference, penalties for bad losses out of conference.

I don't care who gets in, if criteria reachable by all teams are set, who cares if the SEC gets all 13 teams in, provided they are all in the top 64?

If it were done that way this year, the SBC would have 4 teams in rather than the 2 or 3 they will get in using whatever the current system is this year.

[Cajun90]

Those humans ... what can you do with them!

AI my friend....just ask Sarah & John Conner.

[BeauCajun]

Those humans ... what can you do with them!

Some I can do without.

[CajunSID]

… Much would need to happen for the Cajuns to fall out of the RPI TOP 16. Could it happen? Sure. But if the Cajuns do not tank, they will be ok in this regard.

I think the caution is a possible misconception that the top 16 in the RPI host. That is most certainly not the case.

But the overall point is a loss to Troy (and even another loss) doesn’t necessarily ruin their host chances. Just gets them closer to the bubble.

If they win the league tournament and get at least 1 win in the next 2 days, they for sure have a decent chance.

Would be nice to see that streak keep going though! But more importantly get the sticks going again.

[GoneGolfin]

I think the caution is a possible misconception that the top 16 in the RPI host. That is most certainly not the case.

Certainly. But the problem that others have in this regard (you see it in this thread) is understanding why it is not the case that the hosts simply come from the RPI Top 16.

The Cajuns did not get screwed last year. There was significant precedent established as to why the Cajuns did not host and it was easy to see coming. They did not have a hosting/national seed resume because they did not prove it against the top teams (national seed peers). Understand that this does not mean they did not have one of the top 16 teams ... they did. But they did not fulfill the requirements of proving it to the committee. Goal posts did not move. It has happened to other teams in the recent past ... for example, Minnesota.

The Cajuns have taken significant steps to rectify the resume problem this season. Does what they have done guarantee a spot (even with a Top 16 RPI finish)? No. But I like their chances. It will depend on what team(s) are on the bubble with the Cajuns for those final selections and how the Cajuns finish. One metric strongly in their favor that will be considered ... they will finish with the #1 NC SOS. Looking at the board, I think the chief competition will come from Washington, Baylor, Cal, and Mississippi State. If the Cajuns can maintain separation from these schools RPI-wise, I like their chances. I think if the season ended today, the Cajuns would be hosting.

Brian

[CajunSID]

Certainly. But the problem that others have in this regard (you see it in this thread) is understanding why it is not the case that the hosts simply come from the RPI Top 16.

The Cajuns did not get screwed last year. There was significant precedent established as to why the Cajuns did not host and it was easy to see coming. They did not have a hosting/national seed resume because they did not prove it against the top teams (national seed peers). Understand that this does not mean they did not have one of the top 16 teams ... they did. But they did not fulfill the requirements of proving it to the committee. Goal posts did not move. It has happened to other teams in the recent past ... for example, Minnesota.

The Cajuns have taken significant steps to rectify the resume problem this season. Does what they have done guarantee a spot (even with a Top 16 RPI finish)? No. But I like their chances. It will depend on what team(s) are on the bubble with the Cajuns for those final selections and how the Cajuns finish. One metric strongly in their favor that will be considered ... they will finish with the #1 NC SOS. Looking at the board, I think the chief competition will come from Washington, Baylor, Cal, and Mississippi State. If the Cajuns can maintain separation from these schools RPI-wise, I like their chances. I think if the season ended today, the Cajuns would be hosting.

Brian

This is a must-read. Well done.