Eric's "Off The Top Of My Head" column on D1 Baseball today:
– March Further Exposed The Tank Jobs Of The Year…
As you know, there are always a handful of teams that start out the season in the Top 25, but then completely screw the pooch and have a forgettable season that doesn’t even include the NCAA tournament. Right now, these are the top candidates for that dishonor in 2017: North Carolina State (preseason No. 6, now 14-12 and No. 51 RPI), Coastal Carolina (preseason No. 11, now 16-10 and No. 98 RPI), Texas A&M (preseason No. 20, now 17-9 and No. 65 RPI), Miami (preseason No. 22, now 11-14 and No. 83 RPI), Rice (preseason No. 23, now 8-19, No. 108 RPI), UNC Wilmington (preseason No. 24, now 11-12 and No. 115 RPI) and UC Santa Barbara (preseason No. 25, now 10-12 and No. 153 RPI).
Well, we're tanking with some pretty good company...
Strangely enough that list does make me feel a little better
(03-30-2017 09:16 PM)Leoguy Wrote: [ -> ]Eric's "Off The Top Of My Head" column on D1 Baseball today:
– March Further Exposed The Tank Jobs Of The Year…
As you know, there are always a handful of teams that start out the season in the Top 25, but then completely screw the pooch and have a forgettable season that doesn’t even include the NCAA tournament. Right now, these are the top candidates for that dishonor in 2017: North Carolina State (preseason No. 6, now 14-12 and No. 51 RPI), Coastal Carolina (preseason No. 11, now 16-10 and No. 98 RPI), Texas A&M (preseason No. 20, now 17-9 and No. 65 RPI), Miami (preseason No. 22, now 11-14 and No. 83 RPI), Rice (preseason No. 23, now 8-19, No. 108 RPI), UNC Wilmington (preseason No. 24, now 11-12 and No. 115 RPI) and UC Santa Barbara (preseason No. 25, now 10-12 and No. 153 RPI).
Well, we're tanking with some pretty good company...
WOW ... Does this mean Stitchhead no longer cares for Tanya ???
A good example the rankings are BS at least in college baseball.
(03-30-2017 11:38 PM)Da.Owl Wrote: [ -> ] (03-30-2017 09:16 PM)Leoguy Wrote: [ -> ]Eric's "Off The Top Of My Head" column on D1 Baseball today:
– March Further Exposed The Tank Jobs Of The Year…
As you know, there are always a handful of teams that start out the season in the Top 25, but then completely screw the pooch and have a forgettable season that doesn’t even include the NCAA tournament. Right now, these are the top candidates for that dishonor in 2017: North Carolina State (preseason No. 6, now 14-12 and No. 51 RPI), Coastal Carolina (preseason No. 11, now 16-10 and No. 98 RPI), Texas A&M (preseason No. 20, now 17-9 and No. 65 RPI), Miami (preseason No. 22, now 11-14 and No. 83 RPI), Rice (preseason No. 23, now 8-19, No. 108 RPI), UNC Wilmington (preseason No. 24, now 11-12 and No. 115 RPI) and UC Santa Barbara (preseason No. 25, now 10-12 and No. 153 RPI).
Well, we're tanking with some pretty good company...
WOW ... Does this mean Stitchhead no longer cares for Tanya ???
(03-31-2017 07:13 AM)OldOwl Wrote: [ -> ]A good example the rankings are BS at least in college baseball. (03-30-2017 11:38 PM)Da.Owl Wrote: [ -> ] (03-30-2017 09:16 PM)Leoguy Wrote: [ -> ]Eric's "Off The Top Of My Head" column on D1 Baseball today:
– March Further Exposed The Tank Jobs Of The Year…
As you know, there are always a handful of teams that start out the season in the Top 25, but then completely screw the pooch and have a forgettable season that doesn’t even include the NCAA tournament. Right now, these are the top candidates for that dishonor in 2017: North Carolina State (preseason No. 6, now 14-12 and No. 51 RPI), Coastal Carolina (preseason No. 11, now 16-10 and No. 98 RPI), Texas A&M (preseason No. 20, now 17-9 and No. 65 RPI), Miami (preseason No. 22, now 11-14 and No. 83 RPI), Rice (preseason No. 23, now 8-19, No. 108 RPI), UNC Wilmington (preseason No. 24, now 11-12 and No. 115 RPI) and UC Santa Barbara (preseason No. 25, now 10-12 and No. 153 RPI).
Well, we're tanking with some pretty good company...
WOW ... Does this mean Stitchhead no longer cares for Tanya ???
No, it's not an example of anything. Preseason rankings by the reputable publications are based on returning, proven talent plus incoming recruiting class. The fact that we laid a big time egg the first 40% of the season doesn't mean we didn't deserve to be Top 25 in the preseason polls. It simply means we've been underperforming bigly so far this season.
(03-30-2017 09:16 PM)Leoguy Wrote: [ -> ]Eric's "Off The Top Of My Head" column on D1 Baseball today:
– March Further Exposed The Tank Jobs Of The Year…
As you know, there are always a handful of teams that start out the season in the Top 25, but then completely screw the pooch and have a forgettable season that doesn’t even include the NCAA tournament. Right now, these are the top candidates for that dishonor in 2017: North Carolina State (preseason No. 6, now 14-12 and No. 51 RPI), Coastal Carolina (preseason No. 11, now 16-10 and No. 98 RPI), Texas A&M (preseason No. 20, now 17-9 and No. 65 RPI), Miami (preseason No. 22, now 11-14 and No. 83 RPI), Rice (preseason No. 23, now 8-19, No. 108 RPI), UNC Wilmington (preseason No. 24, now 11-12 and No. 115 RPI) and UC Santa Barbara (preseason No. 25, now 10-12 and No. 153 RPI).
Well, we're tanking with some pretty good company...
True but our record is by far the worst of that list...
(03-31-2017 09:34 AM)DirtyBirds52 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-30-2017 09:16 PM)Leoguy Wrote: [ -> ]Eric's "Off The Top Of My Head" column on D1 Baseball today:
– March Further Exposed The Tank Jobs Of The Year…
As you know, there are always a handful of teams that start out the season in the Top 25, but then completely screw the pooch and have a forgettable season that doesn’t even include the NCAA tournament. Right now, these are the top candidates for that dishonor in 2017: North Carolina State (preseason No. 6, now 14-12 and No. 51 RPI), Coastal Carolina (preseason No. 11, now 16-10 and No. 98 RPI), Texas A&M (preseason No. 20, now 17-9 and No. 65 RPI), Miami (preseason No. 22, now 11-14 and No. 83 RPI), Rice (preseason No. 23, now 8-19, No. 108 RPI), UNC Wilmington (preseason No. 24, now 11-12 and No. 115 RPI) and UC Santa Barbara (preseason No. 25, now 10-12 and No. 153 RPI).
Well, we're tanking with some pretty good company...
True but our record is by far the worst of that list...
Maybe we can turn it around starting tonight. What better way than to beat a 16-7 and conference leading FAU team at home?
(03-31-2017 12:11 PM)RiceOwl Wrote: [ -> ] (03-31-2017 09:34 AM)DirtyBirds52 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-30-2017 09:16 PM)Leoguy Wrote: [ -> ]Eric's "Off The Top Of My Head" column on D1 Baseball today:
– March Further Exposed The Tank Jobs Of The Year…
As you know, there are always a handful of teams that start out the season in the Top 25, but then completely screw the pooch and have a forgettable season that doesn’t even include the NCAA tournament. Right now, these are the top candidates for that dishonor in 2017: North Carolina State (preseason No. 6, now 14-12 and No. 51 RPI), Coastal Carolina (preseason No. 11, now 16-10 and No. 98 RPI), Texas A&M (preseason No. 20, now 17-9 and No. 65 RPI), Miami (preseason No. 22, now 11-14 and No. 83 RPI), Rice (preseason No. 23, now 8-19, No. 108 RPI), UNC Wilmington (preseason No. 24, now 11-12 and No. 115 RPI) and UC Santa Barbara (preseason No. 25, now 10-12 and No. 153 RPI).
Well, we're tanking with some pretty good company...
True but our record is by far the worst of that list...
Maybe we can turn it around starting tonight. What better way than to beat a 16-7 and conference leading FAU team at home?
Of all the series this year, this one is THE most important thus far....taking 2/3 is extremely important. 1/3 or getting swept will pretty much be the nail in the coffin in my opinion.
(03-31-2017 01:08 PM)Owl1998 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-31-2017 12:11 PM)RiceOwl Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe we can turn it around starting tonight. What better way than to beat a 16-7 and conference leading FAU team at home?
Of all the series this year, this one is THE most important thus far....taking 2/3 is extremely important. 1/3 or getting swept will pretty much be the nail in the coffin in my opinion.
Would have to agree with you there. After this weekend we will have played 30 games. Do or die.
FAU's hitting looks to be pretty solid. The focus will be hard in followed by quality breaking pitches with depth. Nothing our pitchers cannot do. Scouting report on these guys is hard to judge due to the cupcakes they played earlier in the season.
The only bit of hope I can provide is that Rice has slightly lowered its walk and error rates as a team over the last 10 games. However, there hasn't been a huge improvement, the rates are still pretty bad, and its entirely possible that the lower rates over 10 games are just fluctuation based on small sample size.
1st 20 games: 4.9 BB per game; 1.5 errors per game
last 10 games: 4.2 BB per game; 1.3 errors per game
(03-31-2017 02:17 PM)mrbig Wrote: [ -> ]The only bit of hope I can provide is that Rice has slightly lowered its walk and error rates as a team over the last 10 games. However, there hasn't been a huge improvement, the rates are still pretty bad, and its entirely possible that the lower rates over 10 games are just fluctuation based on small sample size.
1st 20 games: 4.9 BB per game; 1.5 errors per game
last 10 games: 4.2 BB per game; 1.3 errors per game
With the other exception of the first ODU game, our losses have felt "better" lately. As in the circumstances have made me not as likely to put my fist through a wall. Or maybe I'm just getting numb.
Now's the time for a 20 game win streak! Go Owls!!!!
(03-31-2017 02:23 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-31-2017 02:17 PM)mrbig Wrote: [ -> ]The only bit of hope I can provide is that Rice has slightly lowered its walk and error rates as a team over the last 10 games. However, there hasn't been a huge improvement, the rates are still pretty bad, and its entirely possible that the lower rates over 10 games are just fluctuation based on small sample size.
1st 20 games: 4.9 BB per game; 1.5 errors per game
last 10 games: 4.2 BB per game; 1.3 errors per game
With the other exception of the first ODU game, our losses have felt "better" lately. As in the circumstances have made me not as likely to put my fist through a wall. Or maybe I'm just getting numb.
I agree. We've gone from "tear your eyes out bad" to "still not good but we can squint and see light at the end of the tunnel ... or at least pretend we see some light."
I think the nail is in the coffin, already. If we have to use that allegorical reference, I would say winning 2 of 3 this week-end equates to a light kick from the inside of the coffin against a seemingly firm lid.
(03-31-2017 03:16 PM)mrbig Wrote: [ -> ] (03-31-2017 02:23 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-31-2017 02:17 PM)mrbig Wrote: [ -> ]The only bit of hope I can provide is that Rice has slightly lowered its walk and error rates as a team over the last 10 games. However, there hasn't been a huge improvement, the rates are still pretty bad, and its entirely possible that the lower rates over 10 games are just fluctuation based on small sample size.
1st 20 games: 4.9 BB per game; 1.5 errors per game
last 10 games: 4.2 BB per game; 1.3 errors per game
With the other exception of the first ODU game, our losses have felt "better" lately. As in the circumstances have made me not as likely to put my fist through a wall. Or maybe I'm just getting numb.
I agree. We've gone from "tear your eyes out bad" to "still not good but we can squint and see light at the end of the tunnel ... or at least pretend we see some light."
That's an oncoming train you see.
Sigh. A 3-2 loss to FAU in game one. We're now 8-20.
(03-31-2017 09:06 PM)Leoguy Wrote: [ -> ]Sigh. A 3-2 loss to FAU in game one. We're now 8-20.
FAU had 3 hits and scored the winning run on a HBP, walk, sac fly, ground out.
Yea, that's a big SIGH!
(03-31-2017 09:06 PM)Leoguy Wrote: [ -> ]Sigh. A 3-2 loss to FAU in game one. We're now 8-20.
How did we win eight games?
It's a miracle?
It's a miracle!
Had my math wrong in my initial post, here are the corrected numbers before the 3/31 game against FAU.
1st 17 games: 5.8 BB per game; 1.7 errors per game
last 10 games: 4.2 BB per game; 1.3 errors per game