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D1Softball Weekly Chat: May 2
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Feng Nai
2:31
OSU at OU, what is your pick and why?
Brady Vernon
2:31
We’ve seen Oklahoma lose one game all season. I am not going to pick them to lose two in a three game span no matter who they are facing right now. Oklahoma State not winning one of the two games at Florida State doesn’t give me a ton of confidence, especially if Miranda Elish isn’t fully healthy. The Cowgirls might sneak a win, but I believe the Sooners sweep.
Brandon
2:32
The two big matchups of the week for me are UCLA vs ASU and OSU vs OU. Both contests will play a part in crowning a conference champion (most likely). What are your predictions?
If ASU were to go 2-1 in each of its last two series would that secure a spot in the top 8 for the Sun Devils? I can see the forks being raised. I believe UCLA will still be a top 8 seed going 1-2 against ASU as long as they sweep their final series.
Brady Vernon
2:32
As for the de facto Pac-12 championship, my best guess is UCLA takes two of three in Tempe. Arizona State doesn’t have the best history against the Bruins of late, but it did play well against UCLA last season. However, I’ll say that UCLA’s offense has not played well, and while UCLA’s pitching is good, Faraimo and Azevedo do give up home runs - the Sun Devils specialty. 

To answer your Top 8 question. The only way Arizona State comes close to a Top 8 is by going 6-0 against UCLA and Washington because the non-conference strength of schedule isn’t great and they don’t have a ton of Top 25 RPI wins.
Jenna Sevigny
2:33
Obviously I’m sure you could argue this question both ways, but in your guys’ opinion, is it more impressive to win regular season title, or tournament title for your conference? I understand each conference obviously differ in strength from one to the next, but in a general sense, which ones bigger to you?
Brady Vernon
2:33
I’ve personally always believed that the regular season title should mean more. The team that has played the best throughout the season should be praised for that. Conference tournament titles are impressive because of the road you have to take, but a team can have a really good weekend and be rewarded for it. It hasn’t always made a ton of sense to me even in other sports, but when softball is about series or double elimination, the tournaments are a little odd to me. I see the benefits, but what Arkansas did in the SEC this season is more impressive than what team wins the tournament, even if it's the Hogs.
Brandon
2:37
Does Northwestern clinch a top 8 seed with a big 10 conference championship?
Brady Vernon
2:37
Yes, Northwestern would lock a Top 8 seed with a Big Ten title. The non-conference strength of schedule and RPI are already there, winning the conference would secure it.
Ballcoach15
2:39
If Liberty slips up, and doesn't win ASUN tournament, what are the chances for "at-large" bid ?
Brady Vernon
2:40
As of this morning on the NCAA website, Liberty has a RPI of 31, which will get you in for the tournament. They also have a non-conference SOS of 10, which will get you in. And with a 15-13 record against the Top 100 RPI, I'd feel pretty good Liberty would get in.
Brandon
2:42
UW seems to be hitting their stride at the right time. As a top 8 seed in the tournament what other teams do you not want to see in your super regional?
Brady Vernon
2:46
Of the 10-16 seeds, the most "scary" options in my opinion would be ASU, UW and Florida
Brandon
2:46
Do you have any matchups that you want to see in a super regional contest?
Brady Vernon
2:47
My personal two favorite ideas are Arkansas-ASU and Northwestern-Florida
Joe C
2:48
What is keeping Mizzou out of the top 25?
Brady Vernon
2:49
That before the Tigers seven-game win streak they had lost three of four series with the one coming against the worst SEC team.
Jack40703
2:49
If Missouri takes the series from Alabama this coming weekend will it knock Alabama out of a top 8 seed? Wondering the same about Oklahoma St.? Does a sweep get them knocked out of the top 8 seed? has any team ever lost 5 games in a row to end the season and still been a top 8 seed?
Brady Vernon
2:50
I doubt Alabama is falling out of the Top 8. The Tide have too many good metrics such as a top 10 SOS and RPI to fall out. Even if they lose two of three to Missouri, that’d still be another Top 25 RPI win for Alabama making it 12 for the season. For Oklahoma State, getting swept would be it REALLY hard to give them that eighth seed because of the lack of top tier wins against the Top 25 RPI. However, that eighth seed is wide open. Florida and Clemson have good resumes but lack the eye test. Tennessee gives you a different feel and RPI every single week. Then there’s Washington, who could honestly swoop in and grab that spot if the Huskies win out to be honest. Oklahoma State has a lot in its favor but winning one game this weekend and getting to the Big 12 tournament title game seems like a must.
top1sg
2:50
Explain RPI and what would be the best way to rank/select team for playoffs
Brady Vernon
2:51
RPI is a ratings index that takes a formula of a bunch of different metrics like SOS, road/home games, who you beat into account. And I don't know what would be the best way, nothing will ever be perfect
Brandon
2:51
There has been so much good softball this year by so many different teams. It is hard to make a top 5 list for player of the year. I don't have a font runner. Do you?
Brady Vernon
2:52
I'd assume our frontrunners would either be Alo or Barnard, I'd probably go Barnard as of right now because what she's doing as a power hitter with speed and solid defense in CF is pretty crazy. Other names I'd consider are Klingler, Corrick (carries a solid team) and Gibson
Joe C
2:52
Miz also has the most wins in the country vs RPI 26-50 at 14. 6-10 vs the rpi top 25
Brady Vernon
2:55
What we consider for the Top 25 rankings and what we consider for the bracket isn't equal. Rankings are more about trends we've seen for weeks, the bracket is more whole season. Wichita State has won 11 games straight, no it doesn't have the same resume but is probably in the same tier as Missouri
Joshmanalfrey
2:56
What does UK need to do to host a regional?
Brady Vernon
2:58
Win the SEC Tournament? The Wildcats haven't done themselves much favors recently. The non-conference schedule isn't going to help and neither is the last series against South Carolina. I don't see it happening without the tournament win
Eric Simmons
2:59
Can UCF host a Regional if they win the American Regular Season and Conference Tournament?
If LSU wins the SEC Tournament do they host a regional? I think they do
Brady Vernon
3:02
Can UCF host? Maybe. Need to sweep Wichita State and win the tournament for a shot. I have a hard time believing the committee will let a third Florida team host from a non Power Five without a crazy great RPI and resume. As for LSU, yes, I do believe this would be the case if the Tigers won the SEC Tournament. That 16 seed is WIDE OPEN as of today and they have solid metrics.
Eric Simmons
3:02
How many Pac 12 Teams do you think make the NCAA Tournament? I think everyone except for Utah and Caifornia
Brady Vernon
3:03
Arizona is living on the edge RPI wise and without a lot of quality wins but feel good they'll get in. Utah's win over UCLA does a lot for them. They have the RPI but simply need to stay above .500 to get it, which is going to be hard. But I'll go 7
Brandon
3:04
Is the D1softball team doing any live coverage or a special podcast episode for selection Sunday?
Tara Henry
3:06
We will host a live Twitter space immediately following the selection show.
Bill Schiebel
3:05
Good afternoon, I became a fan of NCAA softball after watching the world series last June. It was fantastic softball with very talented athletes. Up in Canada it is hard to watch it regularly, usually have to find a site that streams it(I have managed to find a site that I can get ESPN,ESPN2, and ESPNU on), which is difficult at times. Do you think the NCAA would ever consider a mid-season weekend "tournament" with the top teams all attending? This would most likely draw great attendance at the event and also for people to watch at home. And then with that, much like myself, hook more people onto the game. It is already a growing sport and maybe an in season event with the top teams would increase that even more. For the sake of easy numbers, you could have the top 16 ranked teams, divided into 4 pools of 4 and then play a round robin.
Tara Henry
3:10
This is difficult to accomplish in terms of breaking down the Top 16 teams in the middle of a season. Scheduling conflicts, budgets, and broadcasting all come into play. I think St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational attempts to accomplish what you are proposing. Just not in the form of a tournament per se.
Brandon
3:10
I saw a tweet from Graham Hays comparing the inning difference between FSU and OU. That's a crazy stat. There are some obvious benefits to run-rule victories in terms of stats and rest, but on a larger scale does this hurt the OU pitching staff? I'm sure thei
Tara Henry
3:15
The run-rule victories aren't the issue or the innings pitched. I'd be more concerned with the SOS and amount of quality opponents each pitcher is facing. Oklahoma's current overall SOS is at 47 due in part to a weaker Big 12 schedule. This won't be a problem for the Sooners as soon as they move into the SEC. Upside? The Sooner pitching staff has to face the best hitters in the country at practice every week.
R
3:15
What series are you most looking forward to watching this weekend?
Tara Henry
3:20
UCLA at Arizona State as Brady referenced above. Northwestern is in the driver's seat to take home the Big Ten title but Im looking forward to Michigan vs. Wisconsin. Michigan is starting to put the pieces together and Wisconsin is a scrappy squad. Maddie Schwartz is getting it done in the circle for the Badgers and the Wolverines are starting to put more runs on the board.
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