Softball RPI (5/7)

[GoneGolfin]

This situation is similar to that of Missouri above, except that they are an additional .0031 back. However, a run to the SEC finals could be enough, depending on whom they meet in the second round and finals. It is quite fortunate for the Cajuns that Georgia is paired with Kentucky in the opening round. While it is an RPI bonus opportunity for Georgia, every SEC Tournament game is a bonus opportunity for all teams. Having Georgia play the team with the worst winning percentage (Kentucky at 29-27), results in an OWP contribution that will bring down Georgia's OWP some. Since Kentucky won 2/3 from Georgia in Lexington this year, the OWP contribution for Georgia in this opening round game will be a mere .5094 (27-26).


Florida State opens the ACC Tournament against a 23-30 NC State squad (#96 RPI). This is a very good thing for the Cajuns. Like the SEC, the ACC is a single elimination tournament and the Seminoles have #61 Virginia (26-24) and #25 Georgia Tech (33-21) on their side of the bracket. Even if FSU were to sweep the tournament and beat #26 North Carolina (40-12) in the finals, I do not think they catch the Cajuns if the Cajuns take care of business.

Just a reminder that there are some key games being played today and through Saturday for the Cajuns. This afternoon, Georgia is scheduled to take on Kentucky at 4pm CST on ESPNU. At 1:30pm CST, Florida State takes on NC State (ESPN3, CSN, and various DirecTV channels). Georgia Tech and Virginia are currently playing on several DirecTV channels. GT leads Virginia 2-0 T2nd.

LSU is playing Florida now on ESPNU (all of the SEC Tournament games are televised on ESPNU). The game is 0-0 T3rd.

Brian

[CajunAmos]

LSU one & done in the SEC tournament, losing to Florida 1-0.

[CajunAmos]

GaTech holds on to beat VA 6-4, giving up four runs in the top of the 7th and ending the game with runners on second & third for the last two outs.

[GoneGolfin]

The Cajuns could catch Louisville if there is an upset in the Big East Tournament, but Louisville will definitely have a significant schedule advantage with very friendly RPI teams like South Florida, Syracuse, DePaul, and Notre Dame looming. Louisville gets started with Connecticut, whom is a much better RPI draw than Florida Atlantic.

Louisville mercy-rules Connecticut in 5 innings today, 8-0.

Florida State opens the ACC Tournament against a 23-30 NC State squad (#96 RPI). This is a very good thing for the Cajuns. Like the SEC, the ACC is a single elimination tournament and the Seminoles have #61 Virginia (26-24) and #25 Georgia Tech (33-21) on their side of the bracket. Even if FSU were to sweep the tournament and beat #26 North Carolina (40-12) in the finals, I do not think they catch the Cajuns if the Cajuns take care of business.

Florida defeating LSU (Base RPI rank of #26) helps ensure that Georgia Tech stays in the Base RPI Top 25 (.0026 bonus for the Cajuns). Georgia Tech led Virginia 6-0 entering the top of the 7th ... and proceeded to allow the tying run to get to second base with one out (runners on 2nd and 3rd) ... after UVA led off the inning with back-to-back pinch hit HRs. The final out was caught at the CF wall as Virginia just missed a three-run HR to take the lead). Georgia Tech wins 6-4.

These remaining teams are not a real threat to the Cajuns. Washington? No chance. Their regular season is finished. Stanford finishes with a mediocre #71 Utah team that hurts their OWP (.5000, 26-26). Stanford will not be a problem. If South Florida were to get hot and go undefeated in the Big East Tournament, it is possible they catch the Cajuns ... but only if the Cajuns drop at least one game in the SBC Tournament.

Thus, I feel confident that even a loss in the SBC Tournament will result in an RPI Top 16 finish for the Cajuns. I even feel good about two losses, unless South Florida gets hot. But we do not want any part of that.

The Cajuns need not worry about South Florida. They were shutout by DePaul today 6-0.

Brian

[MelRock]

Louisville mercy-rules Connecticut in 5 innings today, 8-0.


Florida defeating LSU (Base RPI rank of #26) helps ensure that Georgia Tech stays in the Base RPI Top 25 (.0026 bonus for the Cajuns). Georgia Tech led Virginia 6-0 entering the top of the 7th ... and proceeded to allow the tying run to get to second base with one out (runners on 2nd and 3rd) ... after UVA led off the inning with back-to-back pinch hit HRs. The final out was caught at the CF wall as Virginia just missed a three-run HR to take the lead). Georgia Tech wins 6-4.


The Cajuns need not worry about South Florida. They were shutout by DePaul today 6-0.

Brian

I am glad you are on our team giving us updates. Thank you!

[Boomer]

CAn I now assume that LSU cannot host a regional????? What about their getting into a regional???

[GoneGolfin]

CAn I now assume that LSU cannot host a regional????? What about their getting into a regional???

LSU will be in a regional ... should be as a #2 seed (unless they are paired in a regional with a team that would be a stronger #2 seed ... such as Texas Tech) . Lafayette looks to be a good possibility. But it also depends on other potential #2 seeds in the geographic area. You could see LSU sent to the state of Texas because a Big XII #2 seed could not go to College Station or Austin. That Big XII #2 seed (if it exists) might go to Lafayette instead.

Brian

[ulforlife]

Kentucky not looking to help us out, down 6-1 to Georgia in the 5th with the game winning run at the plate

[CajunAmos]

Alabama lost to Fordham last night 8-5. The Cajuns are now quite close to the #1 spot in non-conference RPI ... but looks like they will just fall short (but there are more games remaining). A win over any of Arizona, North Carolina, or McNeese State (cancelled games) would have pushed them into the #1 spot.

Alabama falls to 24-2 in non-conference play on the year.

Brian

Does the Arizona State / Cal series help or hurt us?

[GoneGolfin]

Does the Arizona State / Cal series help or hurt us?

Arizona State playing Cal is not good for UL unless Arizona State sweeps (not likely ... a Cal sweep is much more likely) ... or maybe wins 2/3. For the Cajuns, Arizona State's OWP contribution is currently high and very important ... and is at risk. Playing Cal is good for ASU as it contributes nicely to their OWP. But it only contributes to our OOWP.

Brian