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D1Baseball Weekly Chat: April 19
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TOAST
12:30
Mississippi State is playing some of their best baseball right now. Do you think they can carry that into a wining 2 games in Nashville this weekend? Georgia and UT have shown how to get to Leiter and Kumar.
Kendall Rogers
12:30
TOAST -- Maybe. I really like the way Mississippi State is playing right now. We were sky high on these guys coming into the season and certainly after opening weekend. Then, they went into a mini offensive lull. Now, the Bulldogs are hitting much better (and getting clutch hits) and the pitching hasn't let up. Essentially, their games are over if they can turn the ball over to Sims in the 9th inning. They've got helium for me.
Dirt
12:31
Will you rank USM this week even though they split with LA Tech? Feels like a top 25 resume - RPI at 16, Strength of Schedule at 7 or 8, what more do the Eagles have to do? Sweep all of the remaining 4 game series?
Kendall Rogers
12:31
Honestly, I think USM is a Top 25 caliber club -- but impossible to rank a team after going 2-3 over the past week. WTS -- keep your head up -- The Golden Eagles are on our radar, and I like this club a lot.
Kevin
12:32
As a fan of a Conference USA team, I can tell you that these 4 game conference weekends are brutal. I know the AAC is also going with 4 game weekends. Do you think the selection committee will view the weekend performance of those teams differently than teams playing the traditional 3 game weekends?
Aaron Fitt
12:32
You raise a great point here Kevin, and I really really hope the committee does cut these teams a little extra leeway because it's just so damn hard to win three out of four or more, as opposed to two out of three. Four-game series inevitably lead to lots of splits, which drag everybody closer to .500 overall. But that's why we've been so impressed with what Charlotte and ODU have done, and why we've brought them into the rankings. Hopefully the committee will consider all the extenuating circumstances facing teams in a variety of conferences through no fault of their own -- the ACC having to play 36 conference games instead of 30 has crushed those teams, and the Big Ten having to play every game in conference has been a major challenge, and those four-game weekends in a bunch of leagues. Teams that are playing conventional schedules have a huge advantage.
12
12:32
Texas has taken care of business against the lower half of the Big 12 while OSU is looking to get back on track this weekend. How do you see the series going in Stillwater?
Kendall Rogers
12:32
This series has danger zone written all over it for Texas. Oklahoma State has not played bad in most of its quality series -- it just hasn't gotten over the hump. That would scare me a little if I was Texas. OSU is definitely due. I've got this on my upset watch for sure.
Barry in NE MS
12:34
Happy Monday Guys! The Dude was rockin' this weekend, and that bats did not disappoint on Sunday.  Let us explore the word domination: to occupy a more elevated or superior position.  Can another word describe State's ownership over baseball supremacy in this state?  Let us hope that we continue momentum to Nashville, where we last took a Super in 2018.
Aaron Fitt
12:34
I think you guys can enjoy your victory lap today -- it's been a hell of a five-year run for Hail State.
Luke
12:34
I don't know if this has been announced yet, but is the NCAA going to have blanket capacity requirements for the postseason or will each host use their local rules?
Kendall Rogers
12:34
Luke - NCAA is planning to dive into this soon. I know the basketball tournaments were at 22-25% capacity, but a source at the NCAA told me that outdoor sports would likely be different and more. How much more? I hope it's 75 percent, personally. I have zero issue at this point with massive outdoor crowds. Indoor is a little different.
Irish Fan
12:36
Did ACC create an RPI/SOS issue for itself by not playing more non conference games?  Seem to be bunched up in 50-60 RPI range.  Irish have only played 2 non conference games and have 70+ SOS.
Aaron Fitt
12:36
No question about it. The ACC did not devise this schedule with postseason selection in mind, of course -- this was purely a COVID-related measure. But man is that schedule crushing the league.
Wreck'em
12:38
I feel like the Big 12 is coming down to just two teams UT and TCU. Can Tech make some noise and win the conference still?
Aaron Fitt
12:38
I know a three-game deficit appears daunting, but heck there's no way I'm writing off Texas Tech, even with the injuries. That team can reel off wins in a hurry. It's still a three-team race, I think, but obviously TCU and Texas are in the catbird seat together.
Adam
12:38
Despite winning the midweek game against Florida Gulf Coast, as well as sweeping Clemson, I still sea Miami is scuffling, are they in serious jeopardy of missing the tournament for the third time in four years o
Kendall Rogers
12:38
Adam -- Not at all. the RPI is strong for the Hurricanes and the league record is respectable. Miami is closer to being ranked by a wide margin than it is to missing the postseason altogether.
BandAg
12:39
Where would you go if you were in charge of hiring for Texas A&M next season? Any established names you think would listen (message boards are aiming for Schloss at TCU)? Or maybe an up and comer you really like (personal favorite is Heefner at DBU)?
Kendall Rogers
12:39
I would start with Tim Tadlock and Jim Schlossnagle and make both turn you down. Money is not an issue at A&M ... so be smart.
Kevin R.
12:39
With a 4-11 record, do LSU fans get a 50% off promo code for subscriptions?
Kendall Rogers
12:39
I think it would be wise for LSU fans to stick around for a while ....
Mitch
12:42
If you were building a super team and could pick one team's rotation (*cough* Vandy), one team's bullpen, one team's lineup, and one team's defense who would you choose?
Aaron Fitt
12:42
I love this question! Yes, Vandy's rotation is an easy call, despite the revolving door on Sundays. I'll take Mississippi State's bullpen. I'll take the Arkansas offense... and heck I think I might take the Arkansas defense too. Notre Dame and NC State would be other good choices for defense, both in the top five nationally in fielding percentage -- but I think I like Arkansas' defensive personnel the best of the bunch. East Carolina is tied with Arkansas in fielding (.979), and I love ECU's defensive personnel too. Both teams are just so good up the middle.
trophy 1
WestCoastStan
12:42
Stanford still has series against Arizona and Oregon on the schedule: Is it safe to say that 2 of these 3 will host or is UCLA still lurking?
Kendall Rogers
12:42
I think it's safe to say two will host -- and hell, I don't think it's that crazy to say all three could host. It would satisfy all three host sites west of the State of Texas and would allow the NCAA to send all the West Coast schools to sites only out West. The Needs report says UCLA would need to win all but one remaining game to finish in the Top 16. That's a tough ... road.
Dorefan
12:44
How far is Indiana State from being a regional host? Can they get there?
Kendall Rogers
12:44
Dore - Indiana State's RPI is within range at 25 -- but I just think if you look at the remaining schedule, the only way the Sycamores host is if the NCAA wants to use ISU satisfy a locational/geographic site. It's hard to imagine that RPI getting into the Top 20.
WisCockSin
12:47
L’ville seems to be ranked quite a bit above schools like South Carolina and Ole Miss with similar records and much better records. What’s the reasoning behind this? Do you think they’re in line for a top 8 seed or even a hosting opportunity ahead of those schools?
Aaron Fitt
12:47
Louisville is a weird team with a weird resumé -- some head-scratching losses in midweek action and early in the season, but heck they're 14-6 in the ACC, and I will keep saying this, the ACC is a serious grind this year with those two extra weeks of conference play. Frankly we don't know what to make of that team right now, they have some flaws and some injuries, but 14-6 in the ACC still holds some weight.
Ryan
12:48
The top of the Pac-12 is a hot mess with so many teams bunched up. How do you think this ends up playing out?
Kendall Rogers
12:48
It's gotta be Mark Wasikowski at the moment, right? He's done wonders in Eugene. I might actually pick Oregon to win the league at the moment with UCLA and Stanford both going to Eugene.
Adam
12:49
Despite winning the midweek game against Florida Gulf Coast and 🧹 Clemson I still see Miami as a team that is scuffling should I be really concerned that they will yet again miss being in the field of 64
Aaron Fitt
12:49
Oh, I'm not concerned at all about Miami missing regionals. At 13-10 in the ACC with a series win in Gainesville, Miami's postseason resumé is strong. It's closer to a hosting resumé than a non-field of 64 resumé.
Dimer
12:49
The Big 10 looks like it is being treated like a mid-major in the Top 25 (deservedly so), and even its sole rep (Michigan) has wonky losses. 2 questions: how difficult is it to rank any of them each week and is there ANY chance that the committee spurns them with less than 3 bids?
Kendall Rogers
12:49
Dimer -- I actually think the Big Ten is pretty solid at the top. I think the league deserves four bids this year -- Nebraska/Michigan/Indiana are obvious ones for me, and I think Trenton Wallace and Iowa are most certainly postseason worthy. There's a legitimate argument to make for Ohio State, too. I think four teams is the sweet spot.
dopt
12:51
What does Baylor need to do at this point to get a regional bid ? Is it possible
Kendall Rogers
12:51
If Baylor can avoid getting swept on the road and can take those KSU and OU series at home -- I think it will make the postseason. But it's going to be close. FWIW, I think Baylor is a solid club.
Bilo
12:53
Northwestern Indiana series thoughts? Indiana obviously has proven regional status and Northwestern shows promise. They have been close in a bunch of losses and seem to have a really strong starting rotation and offense. Would love to hear your thoughts please?
Aaron Fitt
12:53
Big weekend for the Hoosiers. I still feel like Indiana is the Big Ten team that I think could wind up making the best postseason run because of their pitching -- they're fifth in the nation in ERA! Northwestern has held its own this year, middle of the pack in ERA and scoring... but they need to play better defense. Last in the league in fielding.
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