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D1Softball Weekly Chat: April 18
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Kevin
2:31
I was keeping an eye on Arkansas this week and liked the team a lot. Curious as to what you guys think the Razorbacks should be shooting for in the post season. The pitching in game 2 vs. Kentucky was concerning but I really think that Coach Deifel's squad should be pushing for either an SEC tournament championship or finally getting to OKC this year.
Brady Vernon
2:31
Arkansas should be shooting for making it to Oklahoma City. This series against Florida has huge implications on the Razorbacks possibly getting another Top 8 seed as they did last year. Although they didn’t make it last year, the road to OKC is a lot easier when it’s the only trip you have to do in the postseason. Outside of Oklahoma, there might not be a scarier lineup right now than Arkansas having to go down the order of Sides, McEwen, Ellsworth, Gibson, Gammill, Malkin. The pitching hasn’t been ideal for Arkansas, but Chenise Delce’s performance against a good Kentucky offense should be encouraging for Hog fans. Mary Haff has had her struggles but she’s still shown us she can pitch at a high level when called upon.
Jordan Poinil
2:34
OU obviously stands at #1, after this weekend all we know is that they are indeed beatable at least. It really does seem however after this week that the gap is huge for the rest of the field (VT lost to UVA, FSU lost to UNC, Alabama with a sweep but a VERY big scare to MS, UCLA lost a series - but I think they are still #2). Im starting to think with a lot of season left, there can be a lot of changes in the entire top 15. Do you think there are certain teams that are going to stay in top 8 for national seeds, or do you think they are up for grabs too?
Brady Vernon
2:34
At this moment, I firmly believe five of the Top 8 seeds are secured by Oklahoma, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Florida State and UCLA. Unless those teams have a crazy downward spiral to the season, I feel confident they’ll have those top spots. I think Northwestern is getting very close to that point, but the Wildcats need to win the Big Ten (which can be achieved easily) for it to be a lock in my opinion. That leaves two spots open, and I think that the winner of the series between Florida and Arkansas will have the inside track to one of those. Duke, Oklahoma State, and ASU (if they can win the Pac-12) would be the other players in the mix.
Rhenny
2:38
Arkansas & Florida are battling this weekend with so much on the line! Who do you think has the edge to win the series, and honestly which team could benefit more from the wins resume wise?
Brady Vernon
2:38
I’m going to give the edge to Arkansas. Florida’s pitching isn’t bad by any means but I don’t think it's elite and doesn’t produce a ton of strikeouts. For that reason, I think Arkansas will hit them well. And despite Arkansas’ own pitching problems, Florida’s offense hadn’t been as explosive as it started until this past week. Arkansas has a lot to gain to jump Florida in the RPI and gain ground for a Top 8 as I said earlier. This might be a weekend that Florida is old school and humbles an opponent.
Brandon
2:38
There were several losses in the past two weeks of play by top 10 teams. I'm really enjoying the parity as we near our May festivities. Get. Excited.

If you had to give a projection today who are the final four teams left standing in OKC?
Brady Vernon
2:38
Mine would be OU, Bama, VT and UCLA
Jon V
2:44
Who are your favorites for player/pitcher/freshman of the year in the power 5 conferences?
Brady Vernon
2:44
My opinion without looking closely at all the numbers

ACC - Kavel, Rochard, Gold(?)
Big Ten - Lewis, Williams, tough but watch out for Indiana’s Taylor Minnick
Big 12 - Alo, Maxwell, Bahl
Pac-12 - Klingler, Faraimo, Sanders
SEC - Gibson, Fouts or Delce, I really don’t have one for you, Chaffin from LSU?
Captain Crunch
2:44
After Arizona's series win over Oregon are they back in the NCAA Tournament discussion? That was huge series win for the Wildcats!
Is there a possibility that all 9 Pac 12 teams make it to the NCAA Tournament!
Brady Vernon
2:46
Combining these. I don't think Arizona was ever OUT of the tournament but it was close. The Wildcats do have the weaker teams in the Pac coming up and as long as they keep winning they'll be fine. As for the rest of the conference, I don't see Utah making it especially with what's left on its schedule. Cal is firmly on the bubble, and might've brought Stanford with it. I'd say seven with confidence
Jack40703
2:47
If you had to pick one team not in the top 25 right now to make it to the WCWS who would it be? LSU comes to mind for me but can't think of any beyond that
Brady Vernon
2:48
That's a tough one, LSU is a good choice. Arizona if the pitching magically figures it out? Missouri? It just never happens really so it's hard to even think about one. Liberty, Louisiana are other wild cards I'd throw out.
Captain Crunch
2:49
Can UCF host a Regional? If they did the state of Florida would have 3 Regional Hosts with Florida and Florida State!
Brady Vernon
2:51
UCF is in the mix, but it's going to be a close call IMO. The resume is really good, but if it's between UCF and a team like Washington I wonder if they'd take another Pac-12 team (the pac has had three hosts every year since 2010) or a third team in florida outside the Power Five. My guy tells me it'd be Washington
HuskerFan
2:52
Nebraska has been on quite a run, they miss the top teams in the B1G, so winning a conference regular season title is very much in reach.  How do you project the Huskers to do in postseason conference and NCAA play?
Brady Vernon
2:53
I think we'd all like to see Nebraska and Northwestern play in the Big Ten tournament. As for the postseason, Nebraska will probably be a two-seed and likely make the drive to one of the Oklahoma schools would be my guess
Bill Schiebel
2:55
Good afternoon, with the increase in popularity in NCAA softball, do you see the possibility of the sport becoming more available in the sports wagering world. And do you think that would effect any part of the game in terms of injury reports and the release of starting lineups earlier.
Brady Vernon
2:57
The way the game is being televised, I do believe that gambling can make its way to softball because well people like throwing money on sports to make the viewing experience better for themselves. I know some sites you can bet on the WCWS already but it's not very known to the world. For injury reports, it'd have to be because of what it does in other sports and how it's impacted. Some might believe that it wouldn't be good for the sport, but I think it'd bring more eyes to it.
Kevin
2:57
Can we get a resume breakdown on Wisconsin and there chances at making noise in a reginal if they make the tourney.
Tara Henry
3:01
Wisconsin has ranked wins over UCF, Notre Dame, and Clemson. A current RPI of 31 puts them well within reach of a tournament bid. The Badgers are historically a scrappy squad and this year is no different. A good barometer for postseason implications? Nebraska and Michigan in the next couple of weeks.
Captain Crunch
3:05
Thoughts on Texas snapping Oklahoma's 40 game winning streak? I think that win showed that Texas can go to OKC!
Tara Henry
3:08
Texas has the talent and ability to make it to OKC. However, the Longhorns must shore up the defensive miscues - especially mental errors. It's true and cliche but defense wins championships. In my opinion, this is the biggest issue for Texas at the moment. We witnessed Dolcini and Simpson (for the most part) hold down the hottest offense in the country. We also saw the offense produce in key situations. Texas will be in the WCWS if they can limit errors and compounding mistakes.
Captain Crunch
3:10
Why isn't USC Update ranked with a 41-4 Record?
Brady Vernon
3:11
They just haven't had the hardest strength of schedule, so it's hard to value how good they truly are
Jeff
3:10
With a perfect season now off the table, fact or fiction: Sooners will have the best winning percentage in history this year?
Tara Henry
3:25
I can't predict the future but I do think they will be close to UCLA's 1992 team with .964 winning percentage (54-2). Oklahoma State may take one or two and they could run into another tough game in Supers. So, I'll go with fiction.
18mveilleux@gmail.com
3:26
Do you think this weekends series in Tuscaloosa said more about Alabama or Mississippi State? Those first two games were nail biters!
Tara Henry
3:34
Alabama. The SEC is an absolute dogfight and any win is a win. Alabama has been able to pick up victories in a number of different ways. I'm glad to see Montana back to Montana form but I'm most impressed with the rookies: Bloodworth, Goodnight, Lord, and Barnhart. They have stepped up in big-time moments to carry a pitching staff that has struggled more than expected. My biggest concern right now is the number of walks Alabama has given up in conference play. Again, a series sweep is a series sweep and they have proven they can fight.
3:35
That's it! Thank you and see you next week grinning
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