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The D1Baseball Weekly Chat: April 15
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Joe Healy
2:30
Yes, with that wide a delta in RPI, the edge would go to the team with 32-35 wins and a 45 RPI. If the RPI delta closes to 45 vs. 50 or 55, maaaaaybe it's a different conversation. That said, for better or worse, you're never going to go broke betting on RPI being the determining factor in most field of 64 decisions.
AJ
2:32
How many bids can the Colonial get this year?
Joe Healy
2:32
First off, a reminder that it's called the Coastal Athletic Association now. I tend to forget that. I was excited about this possibly being a three-bid league this season, but Campbell not being a vintage Campbell team (at least so far) has taken some wind out of the sails. It can be a two-bid league if, say, Northeastern, has a top 45 RPI and some other team wins the auto bid, but I think that's the cap.
Chris
2:33
Let’s say ECU finishes at RPI 10 but wins the conference and tournament. A national seed?
Kendall Rogers
2:33
They would likely be a Top 8 in that scenario. ery little doubt in my mind.
cool 1
Guest
2:35
Can West Virginia be the only Big 12 host?
Joe Healy
2:35
It's possible, especially when you consider that some of the better RPI teams (UCF, TCU) don't have host resumes. The Big 12 the last several years has had some really wonky situations with regards to RPI and hosting. It's a good news/bad news situation that the entire conference is competitive this year. On one hand, it's fun when your teams at the bottom like Houston and BYU are frisky, but on the other hand, in order to produce potential top-eight seeds and hosts, you kind of need one or two teams that everyone else is beating up on. The Big 12 doesn't really have those kinds of teams this season.
Guest
2:36
When Texas and OU join the SEC, do you think they move the SEC post season site away from the Hoover Met based on geographic concerns ?
Kendall Rogers
2:36
Guest -- They will be staying at the Hoover Met for the foreseeable future, and that's the right move by the SEC. Hoover has bent over backwards to host the SEC tournament -- the league basically controls every aspect of the tournament. I don't see anywhere the SEC could move that would trump the setup in Hoover. Maybe Nashville? I know my pals at REV entertainment would kill that event at Globe Life, but the Big 12 just signed an exctension.
Chris
2:36
Is the Yesavage-Root combo good enough to get ECU to Omaha?
Joe Healy
2:36
Yes. Flatly yes. As is often the case with ECU, finding a way to get into the top 8 discussion will be huge because in most of the Pirates' super regional appearances, they've come up against a juggernaut on the other side i.e. Vanderbilt with Rocker and Leiter.
love 1
Guest
2:37
Could these blood programs programs like LSU, Texas and Stanford and UCLA all not make regionals?
Kendall Rogers
2:37
Stanford and UCLA are done -- they will not be in the postseason barring some incredible finish. LSU and Texas are probably 40-60 in my book or slightly higher to make the field. Same with Miami, by the way. On a side note, go look at what Cal State Fullerton is doing right now. Crazy times in our sport!
Mark
2:38
Do you guys know anything about the injury to Grant Knipp at Campbell? He was your #1 catcher and hasn't played in a few weeks.
Kendall Rogers
2:38
I spoke with someone close to the program, and a couple of weeks ago, they thought he would be back in a bit of time and it was not season-ending. I hope he comes back because he's such an exciting player -- that's for sure.
Daniel
2:39
What are the USC Trojans chances of getting into the postseason? I feel like 7-8 more conference wins and an rpi in the 40s or 50s should be enough for an at-large.
Joe Healy
2:39
That's probably in the neighborhood of what it would take. Improving the RPI is paramount, and right now, it looks like the Trojans would have to win 17 or so of its last 21 regular-season games to get inside the RPI top 45. Doable, but tough.
charliewt
2:40
What has gone wrong at UCLA? They still seem to rank very well in recruiting rankings every year but that hasn't translated to on-field success in several years.
Kendall Rogers
2:40
Just very wishy washy overall and injuries have played a significant part of their struggles as well. Combine that with a lot of youth + not having Thatcher Hurt and Gage Jump (portal), and you've got the recipe for disaster. I feel for John Savage because he's a damn good coach -- but just a TON of bad luck in Westwood this season.
MK
2:40
Interesting your take on RPI, but wouldn't scheduling correctly be critical for a program like ISU because otherwise they would (and are already) being criticized for not having a quality schedule (FYI 5-1 against Big 10 teams)?
Joe Healy
2:40
Yes, good point. I do like that the RPI kind of allows for a roadmap for teams like Indiana State to find their way to at-large bids that might not otherwise be available, but generally speaking, I would like to see college baseball move on to something more sophisticated than the RPI.
cool 1
Guest
2:42
Two part question and just want your thoughts -All my Longhorn baseball friends are losing  patience with Pierce. Not sure he is the answer for leading the team into a tough SEC next year. Do you think DelConte could try to go after Schloss at A&M. They are connected from their days at TCU. Does Pierce need to make post season to keep his job?
Kendall Rogers
2:42
Guest - I think Texas will be making a coaching change if the season ended today. Coach Pierce and I are close and have a great relationship, but it's also my job to be truthful. I have no doubt Chris Del Conte will shoot for Schlossnagle, but I would be very surprised at this point if that would even be an option unless A&M just bungled the new facility, which I've been told will not happen. Should Texas open (and I'm not saying it will for sure), I have a very good name in mind that I think the Longhorns would have an excellent shot with. Stay tuned.
Layne
2:43
What does Kentucky have to do over the next 5 weeks and SEC tournament to be a top 8 national seed?
Joe Healy
2:43
Honestly, not all that much. Five more conference wins and UK should feel good about it. Six more and they're basically a lock. Consider that it was the 12 overall seed last season and went 16-14 in the SEC in the regular season and lost its only game in Hoover. So 19 or 20 conference wins seems like the magic number, regardless of SEC Tournament performance.
SDSouthpaw
2:44
Who in the Pac is going to make a regional besides the Beavers and Wildcats?  Is Oregon or Utah going to have the RPI to be an at-large?
Kendall Rogers
2:44
I have Oregon State, Arizona, Oregon and Utah making the NCAA tournament at this point. I would keep an eye on California down the stretch, given it can upset Oregon State at home this weekend.
Aaron
2:45
Lots of talk in other sports about expanding their respective postseason tournaments. What are your thoughts on possibly adding a team to each regional and the host getting a bye? Or something along those lines?
Kendall Rogers
2:45
I like the idea of adding 4-6 teams to the baseball postseason, but I would not go beyond that. I feel like baseball typically has about 3-4 teams that you look at it and go man, they should've been in the tournament. That list if never 6-7 deep. I don't want our tournament being diluted by teams who have no business being in there.
Grayson
2:46
Friendly challenge to end the chat.  Give us a couple of teams that aren't in the Top 10 who you would bet on to make a serious run to Omaha.
Joe Healy
2:46
This will be my last question. Thanks for the questions, everyone, lots of good ones this week.

Give me West Virginia - that's a program that has been knocking on the door for a long time and has a good mix of high-end talent and gritty good college players. And then I'll also take the Ragin' Cajuns. I would take their rotation over maybe half the SEC at this point. Teams from the Sun Belt, even good ones, typically don't pitch like that.
WP
2:50
Understandably, the Big 12 is getting a bit of flack. But it still feels like there's a couple of sleeping giants who are starting to figure a few things out and are capable of making some postseason noise.  You guys agree?
Kendall Rogers
2:50
WP -- I've got my eye on Oklahoma State in particular. I really like the way the Pokes are playing across the board right now. I think they're pretty dangerous. I do have faith in WVU and if Oklahoma can establish consistency and stay healthy, it is dangerous as well, IMO. TCU has the personnel -- but I have that in a we'll see pile.
Guest
2:51
Marc Rardin and his Hilltoppers are making a lot of noise this year. Thoughts on that team? Looking at RPI it seems like it’ll be conference champions or bust to get into the dance. Regardless, Rardin and co. making huge strides out the gate in year 2.
Kendall Rogers
2:51
WKU has a lot of work to do to make the NCAA tournament, but no doubt, the Hilltoppers are making some massive strides yet again this season under Coach Rardin. He's a rock star.
Trey
2:52
If Oklahoma has finally figured out a solid weekend rotation with Davis, Witherspoon and stevens, does this team have potential regional hosting in its sight.
Kendall Rogers
2:52
Trey -- Oklahoma most certainly has the personnel to finish strong and be in hosting contention, but we'll see if that consistency happens. Right now, pretty pleased with how the Kansas State series went for OU -- but let's not forget two ugly weekends in a row against Lamar and OSU. I'm in #StayTuned mode on the Sooners.
Brendan
2:55
Jamie Arnold has been fantastic for Florida State; could he be up for national awards?
Kendall Rogers
2:55
Brendan -- he definitely SHOULD be squarely in the mix for major awards. He's got nasty stuff and he has been sensational this season. A .173 OBA to go with just 12 walks in 54.2 innings of work is mighty impressive. He's a big reason why the Noles are such a high-level team so far this spring.
Aaron
2:56
What is the biggest surprise so far by Texas A&M, their pitching turnaround from last year, or their hitting depth after losing studs like Haas and Moss from last year?
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