The Friday edition of USA Today includes the preseason coaches poll in which (as Alan Shelby posted in this morning's update) Rice was ranked #17. In the call-out section on the front page of the sports section (in the LHS column), "Magic Number: 6-- number of Texas colleges ranked in the Top 25 of the preseason USAToday/ESPN Coaches Poll (TCU, Houston, Texas, Texas Tech, Rice, Texas A&M".

Eric "Stitchhead" Sorenson just released his annual, preseason Top 301 listing, with Rice coming in at #14, and with several big surprises vis-à-vis the other polls (#2 TCU, #11 UH, #12 TxTech, #16 Stanford, #23 Texas, #49 A&M, #52, DBU, #62 UAB, #64 FIU, #66 Arizona, #71 SHS, #76 ODU, #78 USM, #91 UTSA, #99 TxState, #110 WKU, #114 MTSU, #118 FAU, #203 Charlotte, #248 Marshall, #258 LaTech)...

http://www.collegebaseballtoday.com/2015...s-of-2015/

Quote:14- RICE (42-20, 23-7)
Projected Conference USA Finish: 1st

2014 ISR: 19
Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15+inns.): 5

You know when Wayne Graham has a stocked arms staff it’s an ominous sign for opposing batters. Junior lefties Blake Fox (12-0, 1.46) and Kevin McCanna (8-3, 2.69) will team with All-CUSA flinger Jordan Stephens (8-4, 2.43 in 2013), who missed nearly all of 2014. The bullpen will be strong as well, headed by saves man Matt Ditman (5-6, 1.83, 9svs). Four of the top five hitters are gone, but C John Clay Reeves (.317), SS Leon Byrd (.258) and 2B Ford Stainback (.258) are experienced leaders. The incoming class was ranked No. 23 in the NCAA and features OFs Tristan Gray and Ryan Chandler, who should both find starting roles.

Can't believe he has UT at #23 and the Aggies at #49, but he gives respect to a number of CUSA programs.

And the Writers rank us #15 in their preseason poll, with UT at #6...

http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2015...ason-poll/

FYI: Texas fans on the ShaggyBevo are reporting that their tickets were botched for the series. For example, one guy got three Saturday tickets, but no Sunday ticket. Just make sure you have the right ones!!

D1Baseball's first Field of 64


Houston Regional
1 Rice
4 Alabama State
2 Arizona State
3 Oklahoma

Paired with...
Houston Regional
1 Houston (6)
4 Dartmouth
2 Texas A&M
3 Oregon State

http://www.d1baseball.com/projections/20...rojection/

Eric "Stitchhead" Sorenson with his latest column for ESPN, previewing the college baseball season...

http://espn.go.com/ncaa/notebook/_/page/...eball-2015

..of note, Blake Fox listed as one of five players to watch...

Quote:Blake Fox
RHP, Rice
2014 stats: 12-0, 1.46 ERA, 69 K, 27 BB
Going into his junior season, Fox has made 35 appearances and is a perfect 18-0 overall on the mound. He really came into his own as a sophomore.

...and UT's Bret Boswell listed as one of the five top newcomers...

Quote:Bret Boswell
3B, Texas
The redshirt freshman Boswell's inclusion in the infield had Augie Garrido saying this could be "the best defense in the country" if it plays as expected.

And we're #14 in College Baseball 360's composite poll...

http://collegebaseball360.com/collegebas...ings-2015/

BTW, this is fun reading for those interested.