Agneberg isn't necessarily the number one there. Isn't Erik Olson still there? I would have Olson at one and Agneberg at two... but I agree that it is surprising that he has pitched so little, especially in a big series with UWSP.

It's not just the coaches kids. It's just way too political in general. Take kids from big schools or whose parents can donate to the program over kids who are far more talented. It's pretty close to being as pathetic as the Gopher hockey program.

Quote from: BRONKO7 on February 19, 2010, 09:39:16 AM
Bethany will score with anyone in the country, the question with them will be how will their pitching be? The Dorris kid does extremely well against the UMAC schedule, but did little against the likes of CSS, so we'll have to see what he can do against Olaf, CSS, Buena Vista. I did see on their website that they got some transfers in though to help on the bump. So we shall see if some added depth on the mound will eliminate some of the BAD losses they took last year that cost them a bid! CSS will have their hands full for sure.

Again, having never seen Bethany Lutheran play, I still find it hard to say that they can score with anyone in the country. I feel like that's a pretty big stretch being that you have to consider that their numbers come in the UMAC. And also, if they score with anyone in the country the tournament committee didn't seem to agree last year, otherwise they should have made an at-large bid.

Does anyone know then the MIAC preview is supposed to be released?

I still don't know how you can measure a team's success in that conference until they are proven in a regional setting. Their numbers are incredible as a team, I don't disagree with that. I just want to see how they fare in their non-conference schedule this year. I feel that if you put any average MIAC team in that conference they do just as well. I could totally be wrong and I admit that I don't have the best knowledge of the UMAC. I am just agreeing with what I have heard in seasons past, and will most likely continue to hold the same belief until I see otherwise.

There is little to no doubt that the Tommies and Oles will be back in the playoffs again this year. Who do you guys see as the other playoff teams? Does Carleton get in again? MAC on the arm of Murrey? Hamline with no Kaz? Augsburg and Henry perhaps? Bethel returns its entire line-up but loses Adams. Concordia lost MVP Johnson. Needless to say it should be a pretty interesting battle for the playoffs.... just like it always is.

Quote from: biggio34 on February 17, 2010, 09:07:06 AM

Quote from: OshDude on February 16, 2010, 02:54:26 AM
Little more than a week until some intriguing in-region February openers at the Dome.
2/24 St. Olaf vs. Buena Vista
2/25 Bethel vs. Northwestern (MN)
2/26 Macalester vs. Wartburg
2/28 Carleton vs. Bethany
Others of interest:
2/27 Coe vs. Wash U @ St. Louis
2/28 Coe vs. Fontbonne @ St. Louis

SOC has a particularly important opener. BV should be a good test.
Hoping potential All-American James Murrey starts for Mac. Will Mac finish top four in the MIAC for the first time since 2000? I don't see why not.
Bethany gets its hyped season underway against a good team.
Coe vs. Wash U could be important come Central regional rankings time. If it gets played, that is.

Predictions...
2/24 St. Olaf vs. Buena Vista - Oles Sweep
2/25 Bethel vs. Northwestern (MN) - Bethel Sweep
2/26 Macalester vs. Wartburg - Split
2/28 Carleton vs. Bethany - Bethany Sweep

Bethel always seems to have trouble with Northwestern.

Murrey will keep MAC in every game that he pitches. Wilson-Traisman is one of the top SS offensively and Graham Brown and Devin English are solid players as well. MAC should be a contender all year.

Olaf should handle BV with no problem. They are too well coached and have too many weapons offensively.

I am undecided about Bethany and Carleton. Carleton lost Guevin, their all-conference ace and I am unsure who else they return besides Fujisawa. But I have a hard time believing that Bethany is legit and will contend with St. Scholastica for the UMAC crown. It's hard to give that conference much respect outside of a proven St. Scho program but we will see.

I'm excited to get things started!