Let's just hope we make the regional final this year. That would be a step forward over last year's team.

(05-17-2015 02:32 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Let's just hope we make the regional final this year. That would be a step forward over last year's team.

I just don't understand some of you who at least appear to perceive post-season performance as the sole determinant in grading a successful season. Would you really prefer to be a Longhorn fan, who has one Omaha run the past 6 years, but have also missed the post-season altogether for three of those years (assuming they don't win the Big12 tourney this year and get the automatic bid). UT was a consensus Top 10 team entering this season and, unlike UVA and a couple others, did not have major injury woes that adversely impacted their season.

(05-16-2015 10:03 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Neither FAU or Rice will be hosting even if they/we win four straight games. Mark my word.

I think whatever chances we might have had to host died Tuesday and were buried Thursday.

(05-16-2015 10:34 PM)Owl Is In Chains Wrote:  http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-ba...15aad.html

On the C-USA site, there appears to be a conflict in the format. The text says there are two double elimination brackets with four teams each, but the game schedule below on Friday shows the winners of the two loser games playing each other, as well as the losers of the two winners games playing each other. This would result in teams crossing brackets.

It's probably a typo in the schedule. But if the schedule is accurate it would provide an interesting format not unlike the CWS double elimination brackets of the 80s.
I wouldn't mind going to this format in the future (8 team double elim) but I sure wouldn't want it this year when we've earned the right as the 1 seed to play a bracket against the 4,5, and 8 seed teams.

(05-17-2015 06:10 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-17-2015 02:32 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Let's just hope we make the regional final this year. That would be a step forward over last year's team.

I just don't understand some of you who at least appear to perceive post-season performance as the sole determinant in grading a successful season. Would you really prefer to be a Longhorn fan, who has one Omaha run the past 6 years, but have also missed the post-season altogether for three of those years (assuming they don't win the Big12 tourney this year and get the automatic bid). UT was a consensus Top 10 team entering this season and, unlike UVA and a couple others, did not have major injury woes that adversely impacted their season.

The Horns went in 2011 (we saw the new ball park that opened that year) and last year (one inning away from playing in the championship series). That's twice recently and not bad at all. I'm proud to be a Longhorn fan, as well as a Rice baseball fan.

You do wonder if Augie Garrido continues to want to coach much longer although he's there as long as he wants to be there IMO. The other long time coach in Texas whose days are numbered (probably not his decision to make) is Steve Smith at Baylor. Smith is the only other coach besides Wayne Graham I believe who coached some in the SWC before that conference's demise in 1996. It will be interesting if he gets fired this offseason and Wayne becomes the last holdover from the days of the SWC.

(05-17-2015 10:17 AM)gmath Wrote:  

(05-17-2015 06:10 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-17-2015 02:32 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Let's just hope we make the regional final this year. That would be a step forward over last year's team.

I just don't understand some of you who at least appear to perceive post-season performance as the sole determinant in grading a successful season. Would you really prefer to be a Longhorn fan, who has one Omaha run the past 6 years, but have also missed the post-season altogether for three of those years (assuming they don't win the Big12 tourney this year and get the automatic bid). UT was a consensus Top 10 team entering this season and, unlike UVA and a couple others, did not have major injury woes that adversely impacted their season.

The Horns went in 2011 (we saw the new ball park that opened that year) and last year (one inning away from playing in the championship series). That's twice recently and not bad at all. I'm proud to be a Longhorn fan, as well as a Rice baseball fan.

Yes, they've been to Omaha twice in the last six years, and missed the post-season altogether 3 times. For each their own, but I'll take Rice's consistency of excellence even if we have had a period of disappointing post-seasons.

According to Boyds, we enter the conference tournament at...

#23 ISR, #26 RPI (in a virtual tie with #25 South Florida), #39 SoS

...and I suspect we'll be ranked right around #20 in all the polls (save for Perfect Game) tomorrow.

(05-17-2015 10:44 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  You do wonder if Augie Garrido continues to want to coach much longer although he's there as long as he wants to be there IMO. The other long time coach in Texas whose days are numbered (probably not his decision to make) is Steve Smith at Baylor. Smith is the only other coach besides Wayne Graham I believe who coached some in the SWC before that conference's demise in 1996. It will be interesting if he gets fired this offseason and Wayne becomes the last holdover from the days of the SWC.

Does Augie get a free ride?

He may based on his overall career, or the fact that baseball is not as important at UT as football or basketball (whose coaches have been replaced). But UT has all the expectations of the school with the largest athletic budget in the world and not making it to the postseason 3 of the last five (as contrasted with 5 of the previous 5) is a trend that the new athletic director may not tolerate (even for Augie).

Then the question is: Is there some super coach out there who wants to be the new UT coach? Who are the candidates? It doesn't help that this year the Big 12 doesn't look like a power conference.

(05-16-2015 07:23 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Where is it being played?

It's at USM.

(05-17-2015 01:09 PM)JOwl Wrote:  

(05-16-2015 07:23 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Where is it being played?

It's at USM.

Thanks, that's what I thought, but saw one story that kind of threw me off.

I plan to be at the Wednesday game, it's right on my way home to see my mom for Memorial Day.

(05-16-2015 08:44 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  

(05-16-2015 08:42 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-16-2015 08:39 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  

(05-16-2015 08:32 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  It appears we have free video feed for the entire tourney...

http://www.conferenceusa.com/championshi...ip-15.html

It looks like "premium" watch as opposed to "free" watch to me.

I have OwlVision and CUSA access, but when I clicked on the link it when straight to the site without asking me for my user name and password.

Perhaps still in memory from this weekend?

Worked for me too.

(05-17-2015 12:12 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  According to Boyds, we enter the conference tournament at...

#23 ISR, #26 RPI (in a virtual tie with #25 South Florida), #39 SoS

...and I suspect we'll be ranked right around #20 in all the polls (save for Perfect Game) tomorrow.

Agree with the #20 +/-.
2-2 is usually good enough to tread water, especially since 1 game was against a ranked team, AND we won the conference title. Might slip a spot per poll, at most.

Also should point out that, upon reflection, I agree with you and Ranger on the slimness of any hosting chances for either of C-USA's Owls. (What I stated earlier was mostly due to wishful thinking) I do think that if we solidify as a top 20 team that we will at least be in the conversation -- but the committee is unlikely to ultimately give us the nod.

(05-17-2015 02:02 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  

(05-17-2015 12:12 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  According to Boyds, we enter the conference tournament at...

#23 ISR, #26 RPI (in a virtual tie with #25 South Florida), #39 SoS

...and I suspect we'll be ranked right around #20 in all the polls (save for Perfect Game) tomorrow.

Agree with the #20 +/-.
2-2 is usually good enough to tread water, especially since 1 game was against a ranked team, AND we won the conference title. Might slip a spot per poll, at most.

Also should point out that, upon reflection, I agree with you and Ranger on the slimness of any hosting chances for either of C-USA's Owls. (What I stated earlier was mostly due to wishful thinking) I do think that if we solidify as a top 20 team that we will at least be in the conversation -- but the committee is unlikely to ultimately give us the nod.

Not even in the conversation, and we have a far superior resume than FAU, despite their still lofty #16 RPI. Too many teams ahead of us with vastly superior overall resumes. Conference championships certainly help, but they're used by the Committee more as a tie-breaking factor vs. key determining criteria. FAU finished the regular season in 3rd place in the 8th ranked RPI conference, is just 17 - 13 vs. Top 100, and are just .500 in their last 10 games. We won the regular season championship, BUT our RPI sits at #26 (and is unlikely to improve much even if we run the table in the conference tourney), and our record is just 13 - 11 vs. Top 100. Neither cuts it, especially when there are numerous other better options for the Committee to select to host. FAU is going to be perceived as one of the highest #2 seeds, but I can guarantee that any of the host schools would greatly prefer to have FAU as their #2 vs. Rice or USM.

In my opinion the athletic department let baseball down by not even preselling a regional. Again in my opinion, that was pure laziness. You win your conference and your administration doesn't even got through the motions of setting up a possible regional. Fail.

(05-17-2015 02:50 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  In my opinion the athletic department let baseball down by not even preselling a regional. Again in my opinion, that was pure laziness. You win your conference and your administration doesn't even got through the motions of setting up a possible regional. Fail.

I'll have to differ with you on that point, even though I've been right with you all season clinging to the hope of earning a host spot. We've clearly been outside looking in for the past couple months - and presale interest would be lower simply because most fans don't expect us to host.
Also, with Aggies and Horns both out of the running for 2 & 3 seeds, there's less urgency of locking up those seats for Owl faithful.

(05-17-2015 02:11 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Not even in the conversation, and we have a far superior resume than FAU, despite their still lofty #16 RPI. Too many teams ahead of us with vastly superior overall resumes. Conference championships certainly help, but they're used by the Committee more as a tie-breaking factor vs. key determining criteria. FAU finished the regular season in 3rd place in the 8th ranked RPI conference, is just 17 - 13 vs. Top 100, and are just .500 in their last 10 games. We won the regular season championship, BUT our RPI sits at #26 (and is unlikely to improve much even if we run the table in the conference tourney), and our record is just 13 - 11 vs. Top 100. Neither cuts it, especially when there are numerous other better options for the Committee to select to host. FAU is going to be perceived as one of the highest #2 seeds, but I can guarantee that any of the host schools would greatly prefer to have FAU as their #2 vs. Rice or USM.

Maybe we get sent over to Cullen Boulevard as the Number 2 seed at the Houston (Cougars) Regional.

(05-17-2015 03:22 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  

(05-17-2015 02:50 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  In my opinion the athletic department let baseball down by not even preselling a regional. Again in my opinion, that was pure laziness. You win your conference and your administration doesn't even got through the motions of setting up a possible regional. Fail.

I'll have to differ with you on that point, even though I've been right with you all season clinging to the hope of earning a host spot. We've clearly been outside looking in for the past couple months - and presale interest would be lower simply because most fans don't expect us to host.
Also, with Aggies and Horns both out of the running for 2 & 3 seeds, there's less urgency of locking up those seats for Owl faithful.

Nice rationalization. I get it. But if the administration won't put forth the effort, why should an NCAA representative. BTW, I think your opinion might have been different if Rice had won the two weekday games last week.

Also, bids are submitted long before you can crystal ball who will available for your regional. Why not hope for the best and take the bid process one stage further? Your main cost is labor and you are already paying your overhead through the end of the school year.

I was unimpressed with the marketing of baseball this year. I was impressed with the effort spent on football and basketball. When baseball came around they were out of ideas, tired, and probably out of budget (money). Sully's work is the lone administrative point of light.

(05-17-2015 03:31 PM)ESE84 Wrote:  

(05-17-2015 02:11 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Not even in the conversation, and we have a far superior resume than FAU, despite their still lofty #16 RPI. Too many teams ahead of us with vastly superior overall resumes. Conference championships certainly help, but they're used by the Committee more as a tie-breaking factor vs. key determining criteria. FAU finished the regular season in 3rd place in the 8th ranked RPI conference, is just 17 - 13 vs. Top 100, and are just .500 in their last 10 games. We won the regular season championship, BUT our RPI sits at #26 (and is unlikely to improve much even if we run the table in the conference tourney), and our record is just 13 - 11 vs. Top 100. Neither cuts it, especially when there are numerous other better options for the Committee to select to host. FAU is going to be perceived as one of the highest #2 seeds, but I can guarantee that any of the host schools would greatly prefer to have FAU as their #2 vs. Rice or USM.

Maybe we get sent over to Cullen Boulevard as the Number 2 seed at the Houston (Cougars) Regional.

It's possible, but I doubt it, given that we did play UH three times already this year. If think it's much, much more likely we'll be sent to TCU, Oklahoma State, DBU, A&M or LSU if the Committee decides to keep us relatively local....and if that's the case, the Aggies are the far preferable opponent (with OSU a close second); especially since they haven't won a weekend series in 4 weeks. DBU would be more convenient for out-of-staters, however. Don't they have a sparkling new stadium, just opened up last year? I want nothing to do with either TCU or LSU.

Anyone know where you fly into for Oklahoma State?

Tulsa and okc each work. Okc more convenient but if flights favor Tulsa you should go to Tulsa.