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D1Baseball Weekly Chat: April 29
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Caleb
1:11
What has ECU done different this year from last year? They seem to be a much better team.
Kendall Rogers
1:11
Caleb -- I think it's pretty simple. While the Pirates have had good offensive teams in the pass they've got a lot of quality depth on the mound. Kuchmaner/Agnos are both really good, and the bullpen has several options. This is the most complete ECU team I've seen in my years of covering this sport, I think.
PG
1:12
With the college baseball season getting into the final few weeks, who is a mid-major program that could shock some teams going into tournament time?
Kendall Rogers
1:12
PG -- Keep an eye on Texas State. We considered the Bobcats for the Top 25 and they've got some really nice pieces. The offensive lineup is solid, and from what I saw at the Shriners tournament earlier this season, they've got a quality rotation, too, with Nicholas Fraze, Hunter McMahon and of course, talented Connor Reich. This isn't some offensive heavy with no arms type of Sun Belt club. They're scary IMO.
Tex
1:14
Do you think Baylor will host a regional after sweeping TCU this past weekend?
Kendall Rogers
1:14
Texas -- We will see what Mark and Aaron think Tuesday night, but I like Baylor's chances of being a Top 16 this week. The Bears' RPI took a big climb after the TCU series, they lead the Big 12 by 1 1/2 games and they are trending the right direction.
Landen
1:15
If southern miss knocks off ole miss and Fau at home this week... top 25?
Kendall Rogers
1:15
Laden -- i would like their chances. Southern Miss was in the mix for a Top 25 spot in our rankings this week, but frankly, its resume is very weak overall. Those would be high quality wins to say the least, so would bolster their chances.
cjk Bulldogs
1:16
Although Miss St is in good post-season position now, they have to go to A&M and Ole Miss the next two weekends. Seems like they have to go 4-2 and win both series to keep a top-8 national seed.  Concur?
Kendall Rogers
1:16
CJK -- If State can win 2 of its last three series, it's in outstanding shape for a top 8, IMO, entering the SEC tournament. Of course, even if State loses 2/3 series to end the season, it could still roll through Hoover and likely earn a top eight as well. Lots at play here down the stretch for all those SEC West clubs.
HamSolo
1:17
How far do you think Arkansas can go in the NCAAT?
Kendall Rogers
1:17
Ham -- I think Arkansas could win the national title, I really do. I do have Aaron's concern about those two freshmen in the rotation come postseason time, but Noland, especially, has thrown well as of late. I do believe in the bullpen and Campbell is elite. If those other two starters pitch well, the sky is the limit for DVH's club, IMO.
Aaron Fitt
1:17
Hey guys, sorry I'm late -- I'm traveling again today, but hopefully KR has been taking good care of you here. Let's get after it.
Kendall Rogers
1:19
Un-ducking acceptable.
Jack
1:19
How far can Texas tech go in the postseason especially with the team heating up at the right time?
Kendall Rogers
1:19
Jack -- Texas Tech can win the whole thing if it plays the way it did the past two weekends against Baylor and OSU. Tech's bullpen, especially, was very good against the Cowboys, while Caleb Kilian put together yet another solid start. The offense was already elite, but they've just taken a while to get rolling. We'll see how Tech does down the stretch, but highly encouraged by its surge as of late.
Heel
1:20
If UNC wins their last 2 ACC series (@Pitt, NCSU), are they in good shape to host? Up to 11 Top 50 wins now
Aaron Fitt
1:20
Yeah I think so. That 15-9 ACC record carries a lot of weight, and if they win those last two series to get to at least 19 ACC wins, there's no way they don't host. 18 conference wins could do it too, although UNC is a little light on quality series wins (vs. Miami and a sweep of Duke, and that's really it -- no other series wins over potential regional teams).
Spear15
1:22
How many ACC wins does FSU need to make sure RPI doesn't keep them out of the NCAA's? Seems like at Louisville is their only chance to really boost RPI and we know that will be a tough series.
Aaron Fitt
1:22
This is shaping up as a very interesting test case. FSU is 14-10 in the ACC but just 57th in the RPI. You basically never see ACC teams in the 50s get at-larges... but you never really see ACC teams that go 18-12 or better in conference getting left out, so something might have to give. I certainly expect FSU to win 4 more ACC games to reach that 18-12 mark, and if they do, I have a feeling they can sneak in even with a borderline RPI. As long as it's not outside the top 60, I think.
Matt
1:25
Does UConn still have a realistic shot at hosting?
Aaron Fitt
1:25
No, I think that ship sailed with three series losses in the last four weekends. UConn just needs to worry about getting over .500 in the league to secure its at-large footing. At least the RPI is still strong, in the mid-20s. But will the fifth-place team in the American get a bid, even with a good RPI? They need to move up the standings some.
Sid
1:27
Any chance the SEC gets four national seeds? If not, which set of dawgs is on the outside looking in? I'll apologize prior to any ill will I bring upon you if the answer is yes.
Aaron Fitt
1:27
I think there's a very realistic chance the SEC gets four of the top 8 seeds, yes. Certainly you've got to feel like Vandy and Arkansas are slam dunks at the moment, and now Mississippi State is ahead of Georgia in the pecking order after that sweep this weekend. But UGa is still right in the mix with a 13-8 SEC record and a No. 4 RPI.
IllegalEagle
1:28
With LA Tech getting swept by Rice and FAU dropping 2 of 3 to ODU, does this solidify the CUSA as a 1 bid league?
Kendall Rogers
1:28
Illegal -- No. I think Southern Miss and FAU are still in the mix for two bids, though FAU has more work to do with an RPI in the 50s. I don't think a C-USA team with an RPI in the 50s is making the field. I would have USM in right now, and FAU on the bubble (out), but we'll see how things stack up Tuesday night in the NerdCast.
Daniel
1:30
Granted that preferences vary a great deal, what team plays the most entertaining style of ball this year?
Aaron Fitt
1:30
That's a fun question. You guys might know I have soft spot for Matt Deggs Ball, and the two games I saw Sam Houston State play in Frisco were a blast to watch — they are so hyper-aggressive on the basepaths, it's really entertaining. They have power and speed and a "power bunting" game that I really enjoy as well. That would be my pick.
Scott S
1:30
How bout that Canes RPI?! Thoughts on hosting possibilities?
Kendall Rogers
1:30
Scott, the RPI and conference record are both major plus marks for the Canes Top 16 chances. Should the Canes take their final two ACC series and play well in the ACC tournament, hard to see them not being a Top 16 seed. But the resume (from a metric standpoint) isn't amazing with a losing record vs. RPI top 50 teams.
Corey
1:32
With the remaining schedules in the sec, do you feel that Arkansas or Vandy has the best chance for the season title. Also, do you feel confident in both as a national seed.
Aaron Fitt
1:32
Vandy has two winnable road series against two of the three non-regional contenders in the league (at South Carolina, at Kentucky), as well as a home series against Missouri. I think that's probably about as favorable as you could hope for in the SEC. Arkansas is at Kentucky, vs. LSU, at Texas A&M. I think the schedule favors Vandy here in a big way.
Bo
1:34
I enjoyed the write-up on Georgia Tech! What do the Jackets need to do to break the "first round exit" curse that's been plaguing them the past few tourney appearances?
Kendall Rogers
1:34
Bo -- The one good thing about this Georgia Tech team is that the make up is really good and they are tough. I think the rotation is good enough assuming Brant Hurter comes back, while the bullpen remains somewhat of a concern. As long as the bullpen can keep things together in the postseason, I like Tech's chances of winning a home regional. Super Regional is really anyone's game.
W2
1:36
Is Florida State making a move to regain a regional host spot if they play out the last three weeks of the season like they have these previous three?
Aaron Fitt
1:36
I still think it's a long shot -- the RPI Needs Report estimates that FSU needs to win 10 of its last 12 just to finish the regular season inside the top 45. Even if they get to 20 ACC wins, they're not hosting with an RPI in the 40s. But if they finished that strong and then made their typical deep run in the ACC tourney, maybe they could climb up closer to 20ish and have a shot at it... But right now I don't think I'd bet on it.
Shabba Ranks
1:37
Is Cal on the inside looking out at the moment in terms of making a Regional?
Kendall Rogers
1:37
Shabba -- I feel pretty good about Cal right now. RPI of 47 with a record two games above .500 in Pac 12 play. Those teams typically get in. With that said, Cal has little room for error down the stretch with that league mark.
LeRoy
1:38
If ND beats UofL this weekend, and sweeps BC can they make the postseason at 17-13 in ACC?
Kendall Rogers
1:38
LeRoy -- RPI is in the 90s right now, so even with series wins in both of those, the Irish would still have some serious work to do in league play.
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