Not going to out him, but I'm pretty sure Howlomaha is well connected to the program and gets a more honest assessment of things then you do as a donor. And that is not meant as a dig at you. You are a knowledgeable supporter!!

I think Rice's team is being assessed fairly by the pundits. Every team has freshman and JuCo players that join the program. There might be a bit of an information gap with the Baylor player, but even you said he will likely be a role player. Hardly a reason to vault a team in the rankings.

(01-20-2017 12:00 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Not going to out him, but I'm pretty sure Howlomaha is well connected to the program and gets a more honest assessment of things then you do as a donor. And that is not meant as a dig at you. You are a knowledgeable supporter!!

I think Rice's team is being assessed fairly by the pundits. Every team has freshman and JuCo players that join the program. There might be a bit of an information gap with the Baylor player, but even you said he will likely be a role player. Hardly a reason to vault a team in the rankings.

Well-connected now, or used to be well-connected?

(01-20-2017 12:00 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Not going to out him, but I'm pretty sure Howlomaha is well connected to the program and gets a more honest assessment of things then you do as a donor. And that is not meant as a dig at you. You are a knowledgeable supporter!!

I think Rice's team is being assessed fairly by the pundits. Every team has freshman and JuCo players that join the program. There might be a bit of an information gap with the Baylor player, but even you said he will likely be a role player. Hardly a reason to vault a team in the rankings.

More honest assessment? Really. Or axe to gind? Remember, in addition to attending several Fall intrasquads (a couple times sitting next to Wayne), I did spend almost 2 weeks with the team and coaching staff in Cuba. And Wayne has never pulled punches in those few instances we've had occassion to talk one-on-one. As for pundits assessment of newcomers, they tend to overvalue Top 200 prospects, projecting them to hit the ground running from Day 1 (which is very rarely the case), and totally ignore everyone else. Sarchet was a JUCO stud, hitting .384 with I believe 10+ HRs last year, while Sheppard was a 3-year, middle of the lineup star for Baylor. Though I do believe The OG is going to go with Wunderlich in LF, due to his speed and defense, Sarchet and Sheppard could make one hell of a righty-lefty platoon at DH, and provide much needed, proven, experienced depth at both OF and 1B in case of injury (which killed us last year when Gray, Warren and Wunderlich went down for extended periods).

(01-20-2017 12:23 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-20-2017 12:00 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Not going to out him, but I'm pretty sure Howlomaha is well connected to the program and gets a more honest assessment of things then you do as a donor. And that is not meant as a dig at you. You are a knowledgeable supporter!!

I think Rice's team is being assessed fairly by the pundits. Every team has freshman and JuCo players that join the program. There might be a bit of an information gap with the Baylor player, but even you said he will likely be a role player. Hardly a reason to vault a team in the rankings.

More honest assessment? Really. Or axe to gind? Remember, in addition to attending several Fall intrasquads (a couple times sitting next to Wayne), I did spend almost 2 weeks with the team and coaching staff in Cuba. And Wayne has never pulled punches in those few instances we've had occassion to talk one-on-one. As for pundits assessment of newcomers, they tend to overvalue Top 200 prospects, projecting them to hit the ground running from Day 1 (which is very rarely the case), and totally ignore everyone else. Sarchet was a JUCO stud, hitting .384 with I believe 10+ HRs last year, while Sheppard was a 3-year, middle of the lineup star for Baylor. Though I do believe The OG is going to go with Wunderlich in LF, due to his speed and defense, Sarchet and Sheppard could make one hell of a righty-lefty platoon at DH, and provide much needed, proven, experienced depth at both OF and 1B in case of injury (which killed us last year when Gray, Warren and Wunderlich went down for extended periods).

Eh, I think he has some valuable insight with an axe to grind as well. I appreciate both perspectives on this board.

You are obviously close to the program.

One week to the start of officially-sanctioned Spring practice and intrasquads. 4 weeks 'til opening day.

(01-19-2017 10:51 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-19-2017 10:04 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(01-19-2017 08:51 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  I think the truth is somewhere in between Walt and Howl.

+1

You're giving Howl that much credit? Seriously? I may be taking an optimistic view, but it's an informed one. Howl is just trolling with no inside or personal knowledge of this team. And, BTW, if we're as bad as Howl contends we are, do tell how everyone ranks us in the Top 25 (and almost all of those guys are taking a wait and see position on the Owls heading into the season, after losing Dup and Fox, and without knowledge of our newcomers (Freshmen and transfers).

It is called getting a premium for the name "Rice". Based upon reputation the polls have Rice in the top 25. Same as when FSU was in decline under Bowden and Paterno at PSU. Come on guys seriously...Salinas, Myers and Amador are the weekend starters. This year the strength will be in the bats not staff.

Collegesportsmadness has us at #27 their countdown (#30 DBU, #31 FIU, #33, FAU, #34 Stanford, #35 Sam Houston, #37 UT, #44 SELA)...

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/base...4-previews

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/14053

...unfortunately, they've done little to no homework; all they did was look at last year's roster with regards to who left and who's returning...

Quote:Rice put together a very good 2016 campaign, winning 38 games and giving LSU all they could handle in the Baton Rouge Regional. The Owls will look to make their 23rd straight NCAA Tournament in 2017 and they have more than enough talent to create some noise. Rice returns 11 pitchers, but losing Blake Fox and Jon Duplantier is huge. Ricardo Salinas went 9-2 in 14 starts in 2016 and will be the new ace of the staff while young players look to step up their production. Regardless of who starts, Rice has one of the best relievers in the game with Glenn Otto. In 33 appearances, Otto pitched 71.2 innings with a 2.26 ERA, 76 strikeouts and eight saves.

2016: 38-24, 19-10
2016 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Wayne Graham

Key Departed Players:
Blake Fox, P, 2.72 ERA, 109.1 IP, 95 SO
Jon Duplantier, 3.24 ERA, 111.0 IP, 148 SO
Connor Teykl, .284 BA, 2 HR, 28 RBI
Grayson Lewis, .263 BA, 4 HR, 23 RBI

Key Returning Players:
Ricardo Salinas, 3.39 ERA, 82.1 IP, 64 SO
Glenn Otto, 2.26 ERA, 71.2 IP, 76 SO, 8 SV
Charlie Warren, .341 BA, 0 HR, 27 RBI
Ford Proctor, IF, .336 BA, 3 HR, 41 RBI
Tristan Gray, IF, .295 BA, 5 HR, 18 RBI
Dominic DiCaprio, .293 BA, 0 HR, 20 RBI
Ryan Chandler, OF, .270 BA, 2 HR, 20 RBI
Dane Myers, IF, .264 BA, 2 HR, 21 RBI
Dayne Wunderlich, OF, .228 BA, 4 HR, 27 RBI

Projection:
Coach Wayne Graham returns seven regular starters in the field. The Owls are not a prolific hitting team, but their experience should help see a boost across the board. Charlie Warren batted .341 as a junior and Ford Proctor emerged as the team’s most productive as a freshman. He hit .336 with 15 doubles and 41 RBIs. Tristan Gray and Ryan Chandler are solid power hitters as well. Gray led the team with five home runs and Chandler belted 15 doubles. The offense did not have to do much last season. Coach Graham had the luxury of generating runs and letting his pitching staff do what they do. That should be the case again in 2017, but the offense may have to make some bigger plays every once in a while.

These guys have no clue. I would not waste my time reporting their poll.

(01-21-2017 06:29 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Collegesportsmadness has us at #27 their countdown (#30 DBU, #31 FIU, #33, FAU, #34 Stanford, #35 Sam Houston, #37 UT, #44 SELA)...

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/base...4-previews

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/14053

...unfortunately, they've done little to no homework; all they did was look at last year's roster with regards to who left and who's returning...

Quote:Rice put together a very good 2016 campaign, winning 38 games and giving LSU all they could handle in the Baton Rouge Regional. The Owls will look to make their 23rd straight NCAA Tournament in 2017 and they have more than enough talent to create some noise. Rice returns 11 pitchers, but losing Blake Fox and Jon Duplantier is huge. Ricardo Salinas went 9-2 in 14 starts in 2016 and will be the new ace of the staff while young players look to step up their production. Regardless of who starts, Rice has one of the best relievers in the game with Glenn Otto. In 33 appearances, Otto pitched 71.2 innings with a 2.26 ERA, 76 strikeouts and eight saves.

2016: 38-24, 19-10
2016 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Wayne Graham

Key Departed Players:
Blake Fox, P, 2.72 ERA, 109.1 IP, 95 SO
Jon Duplantier, 3.24 ERA, 111.0 IP, 148 SO
Connor Teykl, .284 BA, 2 HR, 28 RBI
Grayson Lewis, .263 BA, 4 HR, 23 RBI

Key Returning Players:
Ricardo Salinas, 3.39 ERA, 82.1 IP, 64 SO
Glenn Otto, 2.26 ERA, 71.2 IP, 76 SO, 8 SV
Charlie Warren, .341 BA, 0 HR, 27 RBI
Ford Proctor, IF, .336 BA, 3 HR, 41 RBI
Tristan Gray, IF, .295 BA, 5 HR, 18 RBI
Dominic DiCaprio, .293 BA, 0 HR, 20 RBI
Ryan Chandler, OF, .270 BA, 2 HR, 20 RBI
Dane Myers, IF, .264 BA, 2 HR, 21 RBI
Dayne Wunderlich, OF, .228 BA, 4 HR, 27 RBI

Projection:
Coach Wayne Graham returns seven regular starters in the field. The Owls are not a prolific hitting team, but their experience should help see a boost across the board. Charlie Warren batted .341 as a junior and Ford Proctor emerged as the team’s most productive as a freshman. He hit .336 with 15 doubles and 41 RBIs. Tristan Gray and Ryan Chandler are solid power hitters as well. Gray led the team with five home runs and Chandler belted 15 doubles. The offense did not have to do much last season. Coach Graham had the luxury of generating runs and letting his pitching staff do what they do. That should be the case again in 2017, but the offense may have to make some bigger plays every once in a while.

A poll is a poll, but I agree-- they did absolutely no homework beyond looking at last year's stats and assessing who departed from the program.

Ryan Chandler is a "solid power hitter"? Who knew?

I love Ryan, but his extra base numbers come from speed, not power.

(01-20-2017 11:06 PM)Howlomaha Wrote:  

(01-19-2017 10:51 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-19-2017 10:04 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(01-19-2017 08:51 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  I think the truth is somewhere in between Walt and Howl.

+1

You're giving Howl that much credit? Seriously? I may be taking an optimistic view, but it's an informed one. Howl is just trolling with no inside or personal knowledge of this team. And, BTW, if we're as bad as Howl contends we are, do tell how everyone ranks us in the Top 25 (and almost all of those guys are taking a wait and see position on the Owls heading into the season, after losing Dup and Fox, and without knowledge of our newcomers (Freshmen and transfers).

It is called getting a premium for the name "Rice". Based upon reputation the polls have Rice in the top 25. Same as when FSU was in decline under Bowden and Paterno at PSU. Come on guys seriously...Salinas, Myers and Amador are the weekend starters. This year the strength will be in the bats not staff.

Honest question, what is your motive here Howl?

If you're wondering, I have a belief Rice's athletics program are not moving in the right direction and certainly not fast enough. I share that and it's met with sharp criticism. That's fine but it makes some of my good friends who can't speak here for fear of backlash feel there view point is shared. So I deal with it even though it's not much fun.

You seem to simply dig at the talent of your own blood and his friends on this baseball team. I'm not sure what that accomplishes or why your so proud of yourself for doing so. In honesty, if I was related to you, was a friend of yours or currently played for this team and met you, I'd punch you in the mouth for saying I suck so bad.

Perhaps you can shed some light on what you're actually getting at for all of us who were rooting for this program since before you were born much less since you discovered that tingling sensation you can get every time you log into a message board.

I apologize for chiming into the pre-season polls thread with a personal question. I don't think we should let the thread stop waiting for a reply. I don't see one coming. On the topic, I think this year's team is pretty fairly ranked to start the year. If the team hits as it should, pitches to how it's expected to a conference championship is likely. If not, it'll be a long year of Howlmaha continuing to insult his friends talent level and their coaches for recruiting them.

(01-22-2017 08:04 PM)BufflOwl Wrote:  On the topic, I think this year's team is pretty fairly ranked to start the year. If the team hits as it should, pitches to how it's expected to a conference championship is likely. If not, it'll be a long year of Howlmaha continuing to insult his friends talent level and their coaches for recruiting them.

I don't think the reputable polls are too far out of line (with Baseball America due out tomorrow). I thought we'd be somewhere in the #17 - #23 range. Yes, I think we're better than that, but I can understand the pollsters viewing our pitching staff as a big question mark outside of Otto and Salinas (though most don't give Ricky the credit he deserves, IMO) due to the loss of Dup and Fox. The pitching is relying on guys who have yet to prove themselves or show consistency at he D-1 level (Kravetz, Myers, Amador, Esquivel, Jefferies, Orewiler, Parthasarathy)...or are relatively non-touted Freshmen (Moss, Gayle, Garcia, etc.). However, many of them impressed during Fall Ball and gave indications that they're ready to break out and contribute. As far as the offense goes, on paper it should be the best we've seen at Reckling since the glory days of the mid-00s. IMO, 3B Jefferies is the lone question mark in the batting order....and we've haven't had the quality depth provided by guys such Sarchet, Sheppard, Lammons and a couple of the Freshmen (Moss, Mueller, Gneiting) in years. Though I honestly believe the pitching will surprise, the offense should be good enough to overcome simply average pitching. In addition, the D should be well above average. Jefferies is even better than Myers at 3B, and Dane was pretty sensational defensively last year. Proctor and Gray make up one of the best middle infield combos in all of college baseball...and an outfield of Wunderlich, Chandler and Warren is as good as any out there. DiCaprio has improved signficantly behind the plate, but he's still average at best defensively, IMO. Robbie Lammons, on the other hand, is a defensive wiz, despite his small size. I can see Lammons catching 1 - 2 games per week, and coming in as a defensive replacement late in close games.

Net, net-- I'm not surprised by our #20 - #25 preseason ranking, and could certainly understand it, but I think we're flying a bit under the radar with regards to our potential.

Not ranked in BA's Top 25

(01-23-2017 09:06 AM)grol Wrote:  Not ranked in BA's Top 25

Link: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2...ege-top-25

(01-23-2017 12:45 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(01-23-2017 09:06 AM)grol Wrote:  Not ranked in BA's Top 25

Link: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2...ege-top-25

BA's 2017 pre-season ranking:

1 Texas Christian
2 Florida State
3 Florida
4 Louisiana State
5 South Carolina
6 East Carolina
7 Louisville
8 Cal State Fullerton
9 Oregon State
10 Clemson
11 Vanderbilt
12 Washington
13 Louisiana-Lafayette
14 North Carolina State
15 Coastal Carolina
16 Virginia
17 North Carolina
18 Oklahoma State
19 UC Santa Barbara
20 Long Beach State
21 Georgia Tech
22 Arizona
23 Stanford
24 Maryland
25 Texas Tech

Teddy Cahill will be here at 2 p.m. ET to chat about the (Baseball America) Preseason Top 25: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2017-college-preseason-top-25-chat

Mike (San Jose, Calif.): How close was Rice to making your pre-season Top 25 this year ... and what kept them out, in your opinion?

Teddy Cahill: We looked at Rice when we were putting together the rankings. Ford Proctor is a great player to build the lineup around, and I think Rice should be pretty good offensively. I think the biggest question is how the Owls will replace Jon Duplantier and Blake Fox. Those guys were so good for them at the front of the rotation last year. Ricardo Salinas and Glenn Otto are two really nice pieces for the staff, but some guys are going to have to step up. They've got some talented arms, and I'm very interested to see how it all comes together.

Bill (Florida): Where do you think Southern Miss will do this year? I am hearing that they will be much more athletic this year and still have the big bats. Also, the pitching looks deeper.

Teddy Cahill: Conference USA should be pretty interesting again with Rice, Southern Miss and Florida Atlantic all battling it out. Southern Miss is always solid and they bring back some nice pieces like Kirk McCarty and Nick Sandlin. They're going to be younger up the middle, but I think the Eagles can compete for the conference title and be a regional team again this year.

Dave (Florida): How do you think CUSA will shake out this year?

Teddy Cahill: All the CUSA questions. I think Rice is the favorite. FAU and Southern Miss should be regional teams again. Old Dominion should be solid, and I think FIU will take a step forward in Mervyl Melendez's first year. I expect another strong year for CUSA overall.

(01-23-2017 12:55 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  Teddy Cahill will be here at 2 p.m. ET to chat about the (Baseball America) Preseason Top 25: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2017-college-preseason-top-25-chat

One of their yells has "Reload give us room" in it.

The successful programs reload because you can get only 4 seasons usually out of a player. Success brings in new recruits.

(01-11-2017 11:12 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  The Aggies lost 12 or so players from last year's team to graduation/the draft. Even the most diehard Aggie fans I know don't really know what to expect this year.

(01-23-2017 02:48 PM)75src Wrote:  One of their yells has "Reload give us room" in it.

Indeed! Since 1914:

Squads left! squads right!
Farmers, farmers, we're all right!
Load, ready, aim, fire, BOOM!
(Seniors only) Reload!
(All) A&M, give us room!

Source: http://www.myaggienation.com/history_tra...f887a.html

As a graduate student there, I learned only the senior way of doing yells and so would be saying the reload.

(01-23-2017 02:58 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(01-23-2017 02:48 PM)75src Wrote:  One of their yells has "Reload give us room" in it.

Indeed! Since 1914:

Squads left! squads right!
Farmers, farmers, we're all right!
Load, ready, aim, fire, BOOM!
(Seniors only) Reload!
(All) A&M, give us room!

Source: http://www.myaggienation.com/history_tra...f887a.html