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D1Baseball Weekly Chat: April 12
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Bobbruinbear a terrific seri
12:52
What does UCLA have to do, in your mind, to get back into the Top 25?
Aaron Fitt
12:52
At this point I need to see the Bruins go on a run. They've lost four of their eight weekend series, and two in a row, and really it's not like a lot of those series losses were against premium competition. UCLA has a lot to prove right now. Win those series against Oregon and Oregon State coming up, and they'll certainly be back in.
Guest
12:54
How do you see the new upcoming transfer rule playing out this summer ? Will larger top tier programs become even more dominate ?
Kendall Rogers
12:54
Guest - I don't think there's any doubt the larger programs will benefit more -- but guess what? If players from smaller programs move up to some extent, that also means that any player at a major program who may feel they're not playing enough, will be headed to a smaller program to play all the time. There will be a definite give/take for both small and large programs. This won't be the same as the old wild west of transfers.
TOAST
12:55
Again, Thanks guys, we appreciate the best college baseball coverage. Also the ACC seems to be a toss up at this point??? I mean just when you think you have a team figured out...I think Louisville has the most complete team in the ACC but they are not as impressive as other top 10 teams. Notre Dame is up there but I want to see their record at the end of the season. VT and PITT have been consistent. Really weird seeing Virginia, Miami, and FSU not being further up on the polls.
Aaron Fitt
12:55
Thanks, TOAST! Yes, the ACC just feels like a free-for-all. I was starting to waver just a bit on Louisville, but the Cards showed me something winning that Florida State series. Louisville is far below full strength on the mound, tons of injuries there, and I have some concerns about the defense, but ultimately I still feel like UofL is the team to beat. But you have to give Notre Dame and Va Tech so much credit for what they've done, and Pitt as well. I saw the Hokies twice this weekend and wrote a column arguing that they are a bona fide ACC title defender. That's a balanced club that's just now starting to get really healthy. Look out for the Hokies, I think they have staying power.
Guest
12:56
What does the Ducks sweeping the Beavers mean for the PAC12?
Aaron Fitt
12:56
Another league that sure feels like a toss-up. At the moment I think I feel the best about Arizona's chances to win the league, but at this point we have to take Oregon and Stanford seriously as league title contenders, and the Beavers are still right there in the mix, and UCLA will surely make a run (right?). I think it's gonna be a wild ride down the stretch in the Pac.
GoHoos
12:56
I know UVA got off to a rough start in ACC play but seem to be playing a lot better. What are the odds they can get back in the postseason picture?
Kendall Rogers
12:56
I have to admit, Virginia has my attention. The Cavaliers are up to 55 in the RPI, up to 8-13 in the league and have Louisville, Duke and Wake still to play at home, and they should win two of three in those series. Then, you have at BC, who's a mess right now, and at VT (it's a rivalry series -- so who knows what might happen?) -- There's a definite pathway for the 'Hoos right now.
Kevin R.
12:58
Can we please do something about replay? LSU-UK game had two instances of a UK batter claiming he got hit; UK called for a review; the umps reviewed; clear as day he didn't get hit; and the call on field stood. There's no penalty on the team that calls for the review, so why not just call for one every time? The game gets unnecessarily paused for these 2-3 minute reviews and just completely breaks up the flow and momentum. It's so frustrating to watch. What are your thoughts on college replay?
Aaron Fitt
12:58
Kevin, you are preaching to the choir. We've got to do something about this, replay is just destroying the flow of the game. I think we need to give teams a finite number of challenges -- and maybe if you win your challenge you don't lose it... but right now coaches have no reason not to ask for a review, and it happens way too often. Force teams to use some discretion when they challenge a ruling.
cool 2
MississippiGeologist
1:03
I was surprised to see both Old Dominion and Charlotte break into the top 25 ahead of Southern Miss. Are y’all waiting to see if they can post a 3-2 week or better against S Alabama and La Tech this week?
Aaron Fitt
1:03
The Golden Eagles got healthy over the last two weeks against lower-tier teams in C-USA, but before that they lost 3 of 4 to La Tech. ODU and Charlotte are red-hot, and it felt like time to reward them, but USM is right there on the cusp, just one good week away from getting back into the Top 25. Long-term I still like USM and La Tech better than ODU and Charlotte, but I think all four teams are legit contenders. That's a good group.
Max
1:04
If UCSB and UCI keep playing at the rate they are now could you see 2 teams coming out the Big West come playoffs?
Aaron Fitt
1:04
I doubt the RPI will allow the Big West to get two bids -- right now that league has nobody inside the top 50, and its conference RPI is 17th. That spells one-bid league. There's a chance for two if UCI and UCSB really really pull away from everybody else, but it won't be easy.
Corey81280
1:07
Gents, with the meat of Arkansas’ schedule behind us, what do you feel is the chances to run the weekend series table. I feel that Florida is the best competition and the last game on the schedule. Should the pitching hold up I think it’s possible. With that being said I feel that’s a resume, win or lose the sec tournament, to be the #1 overall seed in post season. Your thoughts?   By the way you guys have been my go to site for info and analysis for sometime. I’m a loyal subscriber and appreciate what you do!!! Keep up the good work, and WPS!!!
Aaron Fitt
1:07
Thanks for subscribing and reading, and for the kind words! It feels nuts that we're actually talking about an SEC team having a chance to run the table in conference, but with road series at MSU and Ole Miss already in the rear-view mirror, I think we have to acknowledge that there's a shot. Still feel like Arkansas will probably stumble at some point just because it's SO hard to win every single weekend, and don't overlook those series at South Carolina and at Tennessee, both real challenges. But yes, right now Arkansas is building up a real No. 1 national seed caliber resumé.
James
1:09
Could USM get in the hosting conversation with a series win in Ruston this weekend? And is taking La Tech’s spot the only hope for a host since the NCAA is unlikely to give two CUSA teams a host?
Aaron Fitt
1:09
I do think winning that La Tech series is absolutely essential for USM to have a shot to host. But I don't think it's necessarily out of the question for C-USA to get two hosts. It's looking like a four-bid league, and I could see two of them potentially hosting.
Guest
1:10
Anyone from D1 Baseball going to Fort Worth this weekend? Should be a massive series for hosting and Big 12 title implications.
Aaron Fitt
1:10
I've got my eye on that series, but it might be a last-minute call for me -- monitoring a family situation here at the homestead (which prevented me from going to Lubbock this past weekend). Would love to go if I can -- massive series is right. I think TCU and OK State are both very real Omaha contenders too.
Tyler
1:10
Pretty big drop in RPI for my Gamecocks this week (from 4th to 13th). Does this week (neutral-site extra-inning loss to UNC, 2-1 series win at home vs Mizzou) make that big of a difference in our hosting chances?
Kendall Rogers
1:10
Tyler -- I actually still feel pretty good about the Gamecocks' hosting chances. If you look at the remaining opponents on the weekend they are all strong RPI teams for the most part. I think as long as the Gamecocks are still in this range on May 10 -- I think they're hosting.
Bill
1:12
Alright, that series was fun, especially the chaos that was Sunday, but how concerned should I be about the Hogs pitching?  They look set to get Connor Noland back soon, but at this rate, the bullpen will be exhausted by the postseason.
Kendall Rogers
1:12
Bill -- The Arkansas pitching staff is a really weird one to figure out. I don't know if the offense is so potent that it's just setting the tone to be an offensive game each time out or what, but it's definitely a mystery, because Hobbs' staff is just dripping with talent right now. I think they'll figure things out before the postseason begins. The pieces are there.
Trey
1:13
15-12 Florida State gets the top 25 nod over a 21-9 heating up Southern Miss? What would a midweek win against South Alabama and a series win in Ruston do for the Golden Eagles?
Aaron Fitt
1:13
Keep in mind the ACC has been in conference play since Week Two -- so going 15-12 when all but one of your weekends has been in the ACC is still pretty impressive. That's a serious meat-grinder schedule for those ACC teams; having two extra weeks to pad your record against lesser competition makes a big difference.
ProngATO
1:14
Do you guys see a top 16 ranked team with a top 16 RPI NOT getting to host a regional because of the new rules this season?  I know there are alway considerations but it has a weird feeling this season.
Kendall Rogers
1:14
Prong -- I actually feel pretty good about a chalky looking host selection this year. With that said, I'd keep an eye on Oregon and Stanford out West. I am going to find out if they are actually bidding to host -- those are two schools with extremely strict state COVID rules/regulations.
FittsMagic
1:14
Assuming they both take care of business next weekend, ODU and Charlotte are staring at back-to-back 4-game series (8 in a row!!!) against each other. What will the impact of those games be on regional hosting potential? It seems like the perfect time for them to play each other with that process being decided
Aaron Fitt
1:14
Great point -- I think if either team wins at least 5 out of those 8 games, right before the hosting announcement, it has a real shot to host. If they split them 4-4, maybe neither of them hosts. If somebody goes 6-2 in those games, that could be an enormous boost.
James
1:16
30 games into the season, what’s your thoughts on South Carolina as a whole? Really like our pitching staff with the emergence of Will Sanders in the rotation.
Aaron Fitt
1:16
I'm with you there -- big fan of Sanders, who has a ton of projection but also has good "now" stuff, with three legit pitches. I've been high on the depth of that staff since the fall, and that depth also meant they had more options to try in the rotation if somebody struggled. Looks like that's working out well.
Guest
1:19
:Are you ready to reconcile the fact the PAC12 is not as Far behind the SEC in talent and your rankings are biased in SEC favor ? Because of not dropping SEC teams further when they did lose , you  have created a Log Jam top ten that disproportionately favors SEC
Aaron Fitt
1:19
Oh, I still think the Pac-12 is leaps and bounds behind the SEC when it comes to talent, and the draft will bear that out. In last year's five-round draft, the SEC had more than twice as many players drafted as the Pac-12 (although the SEC has three more baseball-playing members). I still feel strongly that those SEC teams in the logjam at the top of the rankings are the best teams in the country. But I also have been impressed by the turnarounds at Stanford and Oregon, which bode well for the Pac. The Pac definitely looks deeper than it has been, and looks on track to get six bids.
TPX49
1:20
What would it take for a C-USA team like Charlotte to host in June if they stay hot?
Kendall Rogers
1:20
I like USM's pathway to hosting as a second Conference USA team, potentially, a lot more than Charlotte. Better overall setup AND the RPI is already there. In addition, USM, if it won 3 of 4 from La Tech this weekend, would have two marquee-esque series wins.
Captain Crunch
1:20
Could the ACC possibly have no Regional Hosts this year? ACC is having a down year!
Kendall Rogers
1:20
C'mon now. Notre Dame is about as slam dunk host as it gets unless the Irish just collapsed leading up to May 10.
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