BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

RSSmith · February 24, 2009, 10:54:34 AM

Quote from: GboroKing on February 24, 2009, 10:29:48 AM
You have to realize that non-conference means absolutely nothing. If Guilford goes 15-3 in non-conference and 0-20 in conference what have you accomplished? If Greensboro goes 3-15 in non-conference and 20-0 in conference who is better? They have the same record don't they? Sure winning games out of conference is great but ultimately it does not mean anything. It all depends on what team gets hot at the right time. Lets say every team goes to their tournament and Greensboro is 0-40 and Guilford is 40-0. Greensboro gets hot and wins the national championship. Who had the better season?

Guilford, by any reasonable measure.

eraguy1975 · February 24, 2009, 11:10:47 AM

Non-Conference games do matter, they are the reason why teams on the bubble for regional bids either get in or dont make the cut. If you have a decent season say...29-13 and if you lose most of your regional matchups, you ARENT getting in. They do matter, they might be more important than conference games unless you win the conference tournament. No one can even argue that point, it happens every year, the teams with the more impressive non conference wins, get the bid everytime.

I cant agree with you more about HOT teams, if a team gets hot they can be unstoppable, but relying on that isnt the way to go. Proving yourself game in and game out is the way to prove that you are a good team.

narch · February 24, 2009, 01:52:05 PM

Quote from: eraguy1975 on February 24, 2009, 11:10:47 AMThey do matter, they might be more important than conference games unless you win the conference tournament. No one can even argue that point, it happens every year, the teams with the more impressive non conference wins, get the bid everytime.

i'm with you on every point except this one...as i understand it, a conference and a regional game are one and the same in the eyes of the selection committee - you are correct in stating that they might be more important than conference games, but they also might be less important depending on opp win % and opp/opp win % numbers...your last point only holds true if everything else is equal, which is rarely the case

i'll be interested to see what the monarchs do with their pitching staff this week - i wouldn't be surprised to see johnny wholestaff pitch vs. alma today in myrtle beach, but i'm interested to see who gets the call vs. vwc on wednesday and who will go vs. averett...i have a feeling mahaffey pitched his way into the weekend vs. lc, but does bisp or the other frosh, fasano get the nod vs. vwc?

CNU85 · February 24, 2009, 05:16:42 PM

Quote from: narch on February 24, 2009, 01:52:05 PM
Quote from: eraguy1975 on February 24, 2009, 11:10:47 AMThey do matter, they might be more important than conference games unless you win the conference tournament. No one can even argue that point, it happens every year, the teams with the more impressive non conference wins, get the bid everytime.
i'm with you on every point except this one...as i understand it, a conference and a regional game are one and the same in the eyes of the selection committee - you are correct in stating that they might be more important than conference games, but they also might be less important depending on opp win % and opp/opp win % numbers...your last point only holds true if everything else is equal, which is rarely the case

i'll be interested to see what the monarchs do with their pitching staff this week - i wouldn't be surprised to see johnny wholestaff pitch vs. alma today in myrtle beach, but i'm interested to see who gets the call vs. vwc on wednesday and who will go vs. averett...i have a feeling mahaffey pitched his way into the weekend vs. lc, but does bisp or the other frosh, fasano get the nod vs. vwc?

Narch,
Whatever happened to not being able to post much due to MBA classes and kids?

?

vabaseball · February 24, 2009, 07:46:27 PM

So Christopher Newport breaks into the top 25 and is battered by VWC on the very same day..... Ugly, ugly game.

narch · February 24, 2009, 09:05:47 PM

Quote from: CNU85 on February 24, 2009, 05:16:42 PM
Narch,
Whatever happened to not being able to post much due to MBA classes and kids??

this term is winding down...i'm putting a little bow on a marketing plan and finished up all my man acct stuff this weekend...so i've been able to slow down a little this week...things heat back up in a week, or so

narch · February 24, 2009, 09:51:48 PM

no box score yet, but the monarchs win 12-0 vs. alma in myrtle beach today...

randomguy · February 24, 2009, 10:19:35 PM

college baseball needs to go to wood bats!! these handle shots arent real hits and for that reason, and pitchers safety, there needs to be wood bats!

LTBB1971 · February 25, 2009, 07:04:01 AM

I just looked at the USA SOUTH stnading and noticed Shenandoah got off to 8-1 start. Pretty impressive. Are they that good, or just playing mediocre schools? I see they have beaten up teams like Maine-Pesque Isle, Elizabethtown and PSU Altoona...I'm not even sure I ever heard of them. Should get a better idea when they play teams like Bridgewater and Greensboro.

hokieone · February 25, 2009, 07:54:27 AM

Shenandoah's early season schedule came from Tasty-Cake, cupcakes almost all the way up till now, but they do have a lot of legitimately good hitters and if the pitching comes through, they could be tough. They were pretty solid last year, and returned most of their hitters. They play Bridgewater later this week and then Greensboro on the weekend so they'll get a better test in those games than they've seen so far. I suspect they will be a major factor in the USAS if the arms can hold up against the better competition. Their pitching so far has been excellent but a better indication will come this week.

Catfishncwc · February 25, 2009, 10:05:36 AM

My bishops start a 11 game homestand this weekend. Hopefully some good old home cooking and the Celebration of the 20-year and 10-year anniversaries of National Championships will get the team rolling just in time for conference play.

eraguy1975 · February 25, 2009, 10:22:16 AM

Wesleyan could be rolling into some major butt kickings this weekend, Marietta,Montclair, and Piedmont. During that 11 game home span they play some top notch opponents, no cupcakes for Wesleyan at all this year. I hope playing all these teams benefits them once conference play starts.

I would love to see wood bats in college, but it all comes down to $$$$$.

HighHeat · February 25, 2009, 11:37:49 AM

Quote from: randomguy on February 24, 2009, 10:19:35 PM
college baseball needs to go to wood bats!! these handle shots arent real hits and for that reason, and pitchers safety, there needs to be wood bats!

I dont know how college could go to woodbats. I would like to see it, but I do not know if it will ever happen. The schools certainly will not pay for the pays, especially at the d3 level.

randomguy · February 25, 2009, 11:58:53 AM

I know it wont happen, especially not anytime soon. but the metal bats are getting better every year, and more and more handle shots are making it over the infielders and falling for hits. The sweetspots are getting bigger. It is just frustrating.

hasanova · February 25, 2009, 06:41:02 PM

Quote from: randomguy on February 25, 2009, 11:58:53 AM
I know it wont happen, especially not anytime soon. but the metal bats are getting better every year, and more and more handle shots are making it over the infielders and falling for hits. The sweetspots are getting bigger. It is just frustrating.

I'm not sure if you guys saw it, but a metal bat snapped in two in a UNC-CH game a week or so ago. The barrel went flying through the infield just like you see broken wooden bats in the pros. Scary!