I just wanted to wish you well in the Silver Glove games against UH. I'm happy to see the Owls (Rice and FAU) representing in the Top 25 for CUSA, while Houston is taking up the rear.
I really think that Rice made out good in baseball by remaining in CUSA as the flagship program. The American is the #3 RPI conference but has little to show for it. Only Houston has managed to climb into the rankings.
In my opinion, Rice has a better future in CUSA baseball than would have been the case in the AAC. I think the conclusion of the Silver Glove will show that. The Coogs are beat up. I don't see this ending well for them.

We did not remain in CUSA. We were left in CUSA.

Thanks Bo. I agree that we're a better team than them right now (if just slightly), but baseball is a funny game and anything can happen.
I do like our chances tonight and thank you for reminding us that this is now a battle between two conference leaders, and the last regular season meeting scheduled between C-USA and AAC, with CUSA leading by just one game.
We beat AAC pretty soundly head-to-head in football this year, so I'd sure love to win this one for the Conference as well as for the Glove and the RPI boost.

(05-11-2015 11:29 PM)BoKnows Wrote:  I just wanted to wish you well in the Silver Glove games against UH. I'm happy to see the Owls (Rice and FAU) representing in the Top 25 for CUSA, while Houston is taking up the rear.
I really think that Rice made out good in baseball by remaining in CUSA as the flagship program. The American is the #3 RPI conference but has little to show for it. Only Houston has managed to climb into the rankings.
In my opinion, Rice has a better future in CUSA baseball than would have been the case in the AAC. I think the conclusion of the Silver Glove will show that. The Coogs are beat up. I don't see this ending well for them.

Actually, Kendall yesterday had a good explanation for why the AAC had such a high RPI ranking; it's primarily because they have so few teams in the conference and no bottom feeders. Rather, every team no worse than solid, but they have no truly elite team, and the result is that they beat up on each other. They also have a number of Northern (UConn) and southeastern school (UCF, ECU, Tulane, Memphis, South Florida), who play ACC and SEC schools in early season OOC series and midweek games; further boosting their RPI above what their overall resume vs. Top 25/50/100 would indicate.

Having said that, Houston has been red hot since speedster Survance returned to the lineup...and their pitching staff has stabilized after the early season injuries to their ace and closer as the new guys have stepped up and improved as the season has progressed.

(05-11-2015 11:33 PM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  We did not remain in CUSA. We were left in CUSA.

Thank God Rice got "left" in CUSA. I think you'll see, long term, that it was the best thing that could have happened. Being the lone Private among a a solar system of large publics - each with a ton of potential - in the Southeast, is not such a bad thing. Rice will thrive under these conditions, imo.
OTOH, if Rice would have been locked into a league like the AAC (in the same division with 3 other privates, not to mention Navy... and another school in your own city), Rice wouldn't have had that distinctiveness it has in CUSA. The Owls programs would have suffered mightily because of it.

In CUSA, Rice can be a strong top shelf program. I just think the dynamics of having those other privates in our conference previously, greatly stunted Rice's potential. We're good to be rid of them (especially Tulane). The Owls get more shine with your fellow Roadrunners, Mean Green, and Miners, conference mates coming to your stadium. No doubt in my mind. For anyone playing the academic card for what you look for in an ATHLETIC conference, just look at how Louisville was chosen over UCONN in the ACC.

As a CUSA alum, let me just say that I think Rice baseball is a great example of our conference. I'm extremely happy to call you my brothers.

(05-15-2015 10:50 AM)BoKnows Wrote:  

(05-11-2015 11:33 PM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  We did not remain in CUSA. We were left in CUSA.

Thank God Rice got "left" in CUSA. I think you'll see, long term, that it was the best thing that could have happened. Being the lone Private among a a solar system of large publics - each with a ton of potential - in the Southeast, is not such a bad thing. Rice will thrive under these conditions, imo.
OTOH, if Rice would have been locked into a league like the AAC (in the same division with 3 other privates, not to mention Navy... and another school in your own city), Rice wouldn't have had that distinctiveness it has in CUSA. The Owls programs would have suffered mightily because of it.

In CUSA, Rice can be a strong top shelf program. I just think the dynamics of having those other privates in our conference previously, greatly stunted Rice's potential. We're good to be rid of them (especially Tulane). The Owls get more shine with your fellow Roadrunners, Mean Green, and Miners, conference mates coming to your stadium. No doubt in my mind. For anyone playing the academic card for what you look for in an ATHLETIC conference, just look at how Louisville was chosen over UCONN in the ACC.

As a CUSA alum, let me just say that I think Rice baseball is a great example of our conference. I'm extremely happy to call you my brothers.

Thank God Rice was left in CUSA? NO THANKS! Rice would rather align itself with our former rivals, UH and SMU, and other privates like Tulane (AAU school) than with LaTech, UTSA, and all the hyphonetated directional schools that have been brought in CUSA. And with UAB leaving we will replace it with another directional school, South Alabama. What is so hard to understand about wanting to rejoin with our former rivals???? That is both from an academic and athletic view. And based on my discussions with the admin, I am glad they are NOT in agreement with your view. CUSA is not a long term option for Rice.

(05-11-2015 11:29 PM)BoKnows Wrote:  1. The American is the #3 RPI conference but has little to show for it.

2. In my opinion, Rice has a better future in CUSA baseball than would have been the case in the AAC.

3. I think the conclusion of the Silver Glove will show that. I don't see this ending well for the Coogs.

Seldom right and wrong again. SMH at these three statements.

I would say, accept for the first year Coach Graham came to Rice, this the worst team Rice has had in a long time but it happens to every program. It does not matter what conference Rice baseball played in, it would have been one of the top teams in the conference accept for this year.

(05-15-2015 03:04 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(05-11-2015 11:29 PM)BoKnows Wrote:  1. The American is the #3 RPI conference but has little to show for it.

2. In my opinion, Rice has a better future in CUSA baseball than would have been the case in the AAC.

3. I think the conclusion of the Silver Glove will show that. I don't see this ending well for the Coogs.

Seldom right and wrong again. SMH at these three statements.

Personally, I think Rice fans are overlooking the benefit of being a top dog (in football and basketball) in a conference... versus just getting a participation medal every year.
I love Rice, and I honestly feel like you're better off being aligned with Louisiana Tech than Tulane. It seems like the SEC is always trying to poach the Louisiana Tech coaches. The same can't be said for Tulane.
I'm excited to see how the Rice Mob handles the situation at UAB. The Mobs antics will be much better suited to the new teams in CUSA. Less stodgy fanbases. You are where you belong, gents.

(05-17-2015 08:43 PM)BoKnows Wrote:  Personally, I think Rice fans are overlooking the benefit of being a top dog (in football and basketball) in a conference... versus just getting a participation medal every year.
I love Rice, and I honestly feel like you're better off being aligned with Louisiana Tech than Tulane. It seems like the SEC is always trying to poach the Louisiana Tech coaches. The same can't be said for Tulane.
I'm excited to see how the Rice Mob handles the situation at UAB. The Mobs antics will be much better suited to the new teams in CUSA. Less stodgy fanbases. You are where you belong, gents.

At the downside of less material to work with. There's a reason that the best show not about Rice in the past six years was against UT.