Let's not pretend this isn't one of the truly great coaching jobs of The OG's career. The "out of touch" Wayne Graham and his staff managed to somehow convince a bunch of talented (but struggling) kids that if they just keep fighting, good things can happen.

Coach Graham and his guys took a LOT of heat on this board 30 games into the season. It's time to give credit where credit is due. Hats off to Clay, Scott, John, and especially Coach Graham.

Go Owls!!!!! Keep winning!!!

Amen.

What a great way to end the season and continue the streak!

A day may come when the streak falls. But it is not this day!

Way to go Owls...here's hoping the tournament selection committee is creative and matches them up with Wake or Stanford rather than the easy geographic match in Ft Worth or with LSU

When we were struggling during the middle of the season, I stated that we should never consider letting the OG go because of the NC he won for us in 2003. He should decide when he gets to retire. And I still stand by this.

(05-29-2017 01:10 AM)seniorowl Wrote:  When we were struggling during the middle of the season, I stated that we should never consider letting the OG go because of the NC he won for us in 2003. He should decide when he gets to retire. And I still stand by this.

That NC is the reason why Rice plays D1 athletics today. We need to be finding more Wayne Grahams instead of getting rid of the one we have. We need to have a succession plan for when that day comes, but we don't need to execute that plan just yet.

This was an amazing coaching effort. One might pick around the edges (this batting order/that; this rotation/that) but but keeping the team headed in direction of success when when it sure looked like all was lost -- that was a great effort. Someone posted it was like keeping the Titanis afloat after the iceberg -- -- nice turn of a phrase.

Well, a streak was snapped today (Miami), fortunately it was not Rice.

(05-29-2017 09:29 AM)austinowl73 Wrote:  This was an amazing coaching effort. One might pick around the edges (this batting order/that; this rotation/that) but but keeping the team headed in direction of success when when it sure looked like all was lost -- that was a great effort. Someone posted it was like keeping the Titanic afloat after the iceberg -- -- nice turn of a phrase.

Picking around the edges is what fans are supposed to do.

Is the team considered "young?"

With 7-8 Sophs/freshmen playing significant roles, I would say they're fairly young.

Guys, that was a very nice run this weekend! But the program is not what it used to be. Rice used to be one of the top 2-3 programs in the state if not the top. Now, it is somewhere between 6-10. Recruiting is not what it used to be. I get loyalty and that Graham has done a tremendous job at Rice, but dont let this weekend fool you that this program is anywhere near what it used to be when a trip to the Super Regionals every year was a minimum.

(05-29-2017 01:41 PM)AggieOwl01 Wrote:  Guys, that was a very nice run this weekend! But the program is not what it used to be. Rice used to be one of the top 2-3 programs in the state if not the top. Now, it is somewhere between 6-10. Recruiting is not what it used to be. I get loyalty and that Graham has done a tremendous job at Rice, but dont let this weekend fool you that this program is anywhere near what it used to be when a trip to the Super Regionals every year was a minimum.

Oh, go away.

(05-29-2017 09:29 AM)austinowl73 Wrote:  This was an amazing coaching effort. One might pick around the edges (this batting order/that; this rotation/that) but but keeping the team headed in direction of success when when it sure looked like all was lost -- that was a great effort. Someone posted it was like keeping the Titanis afloat after the iceberg -- -- nice turn of a phrase.

Restructuring the batting order (moving Warren and Wunderlich to the bottom, and inserting Dunlap as DH) is precisely what got the offense going. Why it took so long for The OG to make those moves is the head-scratcher.

(05-29-2017 01:47 PM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(05-29-2017 01:41 PM)AggieOwl01 Wrote:  Guys, that was a very nice run this weekend! But the program is not what it used to be. Rice used to be one of the top 2-3 programs in the state if not the top. Now, it is somewhere between 6-10. Recruiting is not what it used to be. I get loyalty and that Graham has done a tremendous job at Rice, but dont let this weekend fool you that this program is anywhere near what it used to be when a trip to the Super Regionals every year was a minimum.

Oh, go away.

Another sig name for EMV?

No, AggieOwl01 is a long time, high quality poster.

Just because we have had a good run doesn't mean that the questions within the program don't need to be addressed.

(05-29-2017 02:39 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  No, AggieOwl01 is a long time, high quality poster.

Just because we have had a good run doesn't mean that the questions within the program don't need to be addressed.

Absolutely. We need someone who can turn this team around, win the conference tournament, and get to the regionals.

(05-29-2017 03:42 PM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(05-29-2017 02:39 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  No, AggieOwl01 is a long time, high quality poster.

Just because we have had a good run doesn't mean that the questions within the program don't need to be addressed.

Absolutely. We need someone who can turn this team around, win the conference tournament, and get to the regionals.

I'd prefer to not have to win the conference tournament to make it to the NCAA tourney though. There are still plenty of questions about the program but I'm fine with focusing on the second season until it's over.

(05-29-2017 03:47 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(05-29-2017 03:42 PM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(05-29-2017 02:39 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  No, AggieOwl01 is a long time, high quality poster.

Just because we have had a good run doesn't mean that the questions within the program don't need to be addressed.

Absolutely. We need someone who can turn this team around, win the conference tournament, and get to the regionals.

I'd prefer to not have to win the conference tournament to make it to the NCAA tourney though. There are still plenty of questions about the program but I'm fine with focusing on the second season until it's over.

I may be in the minority here, but for the first time since I've been following Rice Baseball (dating back to around 1997) whatever happens in the post-season is gravy, and I won't be disappointed (even with a 2 and Q). What this team has accomplished playing virtually the last 2 months in survival mode-- and keeping our post-seasons steak alive-- makes this season a success. I've never been prouder of a team.