Quote:* Tulane is as good as it gets after Rice and Southern Miss, and its very close to overtaking the Golden Eagles in our eyes. Though Tulane has stumbled lately when it comes to the NCAA postseason, this club should end that nasty trend this spring. The Green Wave looks strong both offensively and on the mound. Tulane hit .305 as a team last season and returns several key hitters from that club, including shortstop Brennan Middleton, outfielder Brandon Boudreaux and catcher Blake Crohan, who each hit .320 or better. They also welcome back Sean Potkay and Garrett Cannizaro, who each are consistent with power potential. Boudreaux is expected to have an even better campaign this season, while freshman utility player Tim Yandel is a player to watch with very good gap power ... Tulane is excited about its pitching staff for good reason. The Green Wave welcomes back a pair of good starters in right-hander Alex Byo (3.38) and left-hander David Napoli (2.86), while TCU transfer righty Tony Rizzotti might be the guy to watch in the entire conference with a fastball up to 95 during fall workouts. Bullpen-wise, Andrew Reeves is a consistent arm in the closer role while the bullpen is stacked with Alex Facundus, and power arms such as Alex Massey (low 90s FB), Randy LeBlanc and Kyle McKenzie back.

Quote:The Greenies have fought the injury bug, but if they stay M*A*S*H free the 2013 could be a breakthrough. 1B Sean Potkay (.313-5-30), SS Brennan Middleton (.357, 14SBs) and 3B Garrett Cannizaro (.305-4-42) will keep the 11th-best defense in the country stout again

Quote:- TULANE (38-20, 14-10)
2012 ISR: 65

Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (15+inns.): 3

All Conference Candidates:
SS Brennan Middleton (.357, 14SBs)
OF Brandon Boudreaux (.330-8-36, 10SBs)
3B Garrett Cannizaro (.305-4-42)
LHP David Napoli (7-3, 2.86)
RHP Alex Byo (9-4, 3.38)

NOTES:
- The Green Wave were given the shaft on selection day last year, but there are signs they are definitely on the way back to prominence. This year could be the year they break the sumbitchin’ door down. All 58 of their starting assignments on the mound return to the roster, including the one-two punch of David Napoli and Alex Byo (who seems to have been at Tulane since the late 90s). The only real question mark for this team is whether they can find a rock-solid closer to fill the cleats of David Ponder, who had 12 saves and held opponents to a .193 average...

- The Greenies finished 11th in the country in defense last season and will return Brennan Middleton, Garrett Cannizaro and 1B Sean Potkay (.313-5-30) to the infield. So the dirtbaggers look ready to go and ready to excel.

- It was said that the schedule was the biggest anchor to the 2012 squad’s post-season hopes of the Green Wave. And, rated at No. 142 in the land by Boyd Nation, it’s easy to see why… especially since East Carolina’s was rated at No. 74. Still, on the surface, it doesn’t look like 2013′s slate is any great shakes either with 3-gamers vs. Notre Dame, Alabama, High Point and UT-San Antonio marking their pre-CUSA work. But they will open the season at the Texas State Tournament, playing against the host Bobcats and also Sam Houston State and Missouri State.

- Before we leave the schedule talk alone, it should be noted that TU may have the toughest road to pave in the conference, having to go on the road to face Rice, USM and UCF this season. That’ll put some hair on your chest…. that is, if the Hurricanes down at Pat O’Briens don’t do that first.

Quote:• Tulane, which used to rely heavily on an impact freshmen, has evolved into a team that relies heavily on seniors who don't sign as drafted juniors. This year's lineup has six projected senior starters plus a redshirt junior; the top veterans are 3B Garrett Cannizaro (.305/.378/.420), a fine defender, and CF Brandon Boudreaux (.330/.426/.541, 8 HR, 10 SB). They also return Sr. RHP Alex Byo (9-4, 3.38), who showed what he could do when healthy by tying for the conference lead in victories. During this fall and spring, redshirt Jr. RHP Kyle McKenzie has returned to the form that made him a big-name prep prospect in Massachusetts, making him a breakout candidate. Juco transfer Tony Rizzotti gives this staff another power arm with a nice pedigree, and he has overcome a pair of knee surgeries to show power stuff this offseason. On the whole, this roster looks deeper and more dangerous than it has been in years.