SB: UL vs Mississippi State

[ragin50]

So, we suck?

We definitely did last night in all aspects.

[VObserver]

So, we suck?

Not saying that, 84. There have also been days when we over-performed as a conference and/or as individual teams. Just all had a bad night at the same time this time. Even then, that USM [RPI 88] win over SLU [RPI 56] was a quality win.

[RaginScotsman]

Just in for a weird journey this year given the situation. New coach, different style of play, lost so many key contributors and outright stars, injuries impacting depth and talent on the field. They'll still lose some games they usually don't lose (Ole Miss and Moo State are usually sent to our regionals as a 3 seed.) It'll be a struggle at times. But, when they do get some big wins, celebrate them. There's been a couple already.

Anyway, last night was super frustrating either way. Hate that feeling when it looks like Softball doesn't belong. Just need to take it into context and recognize that it's likely temporary.

[VObserver]

Current SBC RPI [through games of 3/5/25]

28 Coastal Carolina
44 Louisiana
51 Texas St.
54 ULM
75 Southern Miss.
80 Troy
81 James Madison
106 Ga. Southern
110 South Alabama
151 Georgia St.
157 App State
182 Marshall

Hard to believe, but we went from 46 to 44 in RPI based on last night's games. ULM went from 60 to 54 for losing to TSAB. USM went from 88 to 75 with their win over SLU, who went from 56 to 67. USA went from 105 to 110 by losing to McNeese, who jumped from 74 to 72.

The conference is very close to having 4 top 50 RPI teams, and 3 more top 75. Both thresholds are important for RPI bonuses.

[Louisiana84]

Charlie, I'm just hoping we can compete for the conference championship. We seem to be in a tough spot. Love our coach, though. Hope she is getting the support she needs to win here.

[VObserver]

Charlie, I'm just hoping we can compete for the conference championship. We seem to be in a tough spot. Love our coach, though. Hope she is getting the support she needs to win here.

I want to compete for the championship as well, but long term it is more important that our conference mates have stepped up their game to strengthen the conference. We now have 9 of our 12 softball members committed to taking their programs seriously. All 9 are capable of fielding top 75 teams so long as they continue to fund and schedule properly.

Now the conference can challenge us, rather than being an RPI anchor.

[RaginScotsman]

Current SBC RPI [through games of 3/5/25]

28 Coastal Carolina
44 Louisiana
51 Texas St.
54 ULM
75 Southern Miss.
80 Troy
81 James Madison
106 Ga. Southern
110 South Alabama
151 Georgia St.
157 App State
182 Marshall

Hard to believe, but we went from 46 to 44 in RPI based on last night's games. ULM went from 60 to 54 for losing to TSAB. USM went from 88 to 75 with their win over SLU, who went from 56 to 67. USA went from 105 to 110 by losing to McNeese, who jumped from 74 to 72.

The conference is very close to having 4 top 50 RPI teams, and 3 more top 75. Both thresholds are important for RPI bonuses.

Benefit of an SEC type schedule. Only need to go about .250 against those teams and we're pretty much set for the NCAA tourney

[JamesTheJeweler]

Just in for a weird journey this year given the situation. New coach, different style of play, lost so many key contributors and outright stars, injuries impacting depth and talent on the field. They'll still lose some games they usually don't lose (Ole Miss and Moo State are usually sent to our regionals as a 3 seed.) It'll be a struggle at times. But, when they do get some big wins, celebrate them. There's been a couple already.

Anyway, last night was super frustrating either way. Hate that feeling when it looks like Softball doesn't belong. Just need to take it into context and recognize that it's likely temporary.

You're absolutely right

[VObserver]

Benefit of an SEC type schedule. Only need to go about .250 against those teams and we're pretty much set for the NCAA tourney

Well... we have to do a bit better than that, but we do have the benefit of having almost the toughest possible conference schedule. The only way it could be possibly any better from an RPI standpoint would be to substitute GaSo for Marshall. We also need Coastal to reach 25 or better, TxSt and ULM to break into the top 50, USM, Troy and JMU to get better than 75 and South Alabama to get to 100 or better. All those are possible.

Toss in another win over McNeese, a sweep of Iowa and one or two more SEC wins, and assuming we finish in the top 4 or so in conference, all of a sudden we are looking at an RPI in the at large bid range.

That's the big picture. We may not be as good as usual, but our conference will buoy us up instead of dragging us down.

[RedBug58]

It takes a little time to build a great team. (Unless you are Texas Tech and you BUY someone else’s). Alyson hasn’t even had a recruiting cycle yet and she is already fielding a fairly competitive team. Wait till she gets a couple cycles under her belt. She said that she wants to win a “Natty”. (Not a natty light)

[VObserver]

It takes a little time to build a great team. (Unless you are Texas Tech and you BUY someone else’s). Alyson hasn’t even had a recruiting cycle yet and she is already fielding a fairly competitive team. Wait till she gets a couple cycles under her belt. She said that she wants to win a “Natty”. (Not a natty light)

That ain't working out real good for Tech. Current RPI is 15. Glasco could have stayed here and done that.

We have always had a Natty as our goal in Softball.

There are some Habetz recruits that are having a really good impact on this squad. Savanah White is a coach on the field and a team leader. Mia Liscano is awesome. Clary and Noble are making good contributions. Just about everyone else was recruited by Glasco.

[ZoomZoom]

Need to recruit a pitching staff on par with the Covid shut down year for starters. Was the only season CGG had that kind of staff. A WCWS staff.

Texas Tech might of bought one of the top pitchers available, but softball has been evolving where hitters catch up with the Montanas, Bahls and NiJarees of the world pretty quick after 2 or 3 years. They don’t fool too many good players at that point.

CAH will find some diamonds in the rough