BB: Central Region Rankings

[RSSmith]

I never realized that is how OWP is calculated either.  That method seems to completely flaw a major metric of how teams get selected to the NCAA tournament.  See simple example below:

Team 1 schedule:

Team A   3 games  20-5
Team B   1 game    5-20

Team 2 schedule:

Team A  1 game   20-5
Team B  3 games  5-20

NCAA's OWP:
Team 1:  0.500
Team 2:  0.500

Clearly Team 1 had the harder schedule but have nothing to show for it?  If the OWP was weighted by number of games then you get the following:

Team 1: 0.650
Team 2: 0.350

I just don't understand the NCAA...it's one thing to have all this regional criteria that gets everyone upset but the least they should do is use a formula that doesn't break down in some simple circumstances

Funny.  Also on the theoretical extremes, it is better for your NCAA ranking to lose to a team that hasn't lost than to beat a team that hasn't won.  That model doesn't hold up very far into the middle, but it's interesting.  IMHO, it's never better to lose.

[theoneandonly]

Who is ready for webster (33-9) to rip through the central region and gain their first world series birth EVER!

[CrashDavisD3]

That method seems to completely flaw a major metric of how teams get selected to the NCAA tournament.  I just don't understand the NCAA...

This is the best quote yet.....

I thought I was the only one that thought the NCAA has flaws in its thinking and logic.
Reminds of the government the NCAA....

[RSSmith]

Who is ready for webster (33-9) to rip through the central region and gain their first world series birth EVER!

I'm ready!!  I hope the 3 and 4 starters are.  They'll have to do better than their combined season averages (5.34 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, .276 OBA and 81:41 K:BB).

[BigPoppa]

Who is ready for webster (33-9) to rip through the central region and gain their first world series birth EVER!

I'm ready!!  I hope the 3 and 4 starters are.  They'll have to do better than their combined season averages (5.34 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, .276 OBA and 81:41 K:BB).

... and those stats were against SLIAC teams. Good Luck getting Tim Tepe out with those numbers.

[BigToughGuy]

Who is ready for webster (33-9) to rip through the central region and gain their first world series birth EVER!

I'm ready!!  I hope the 3 and 4 starters are.  They'll have to do better than their combined season averages (5.34 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, .276 OBA and 81:41 K:BB).

... and those stats were against SLIAC teams. Good Luck getting Tim Tepe out with those numbers.

I wouldn't bring Rose-Hulman into the conversation if you're discussing questionable starting pitching. Here are their starters:

1. Eitel 3.88  6-2
2. Oakley 4.93 6-1
3. Sadzeck 5.72 3-1
4. Maloney 6.04 6-1

Also, if Webster and Rose-Hulman were to both win their first games they would square off on Thursday, meaning Mueller (2.22  7-1) would take the mound for Webster as opposed to their 3 or 4. 

[BigToughGuy]

Who is ready for webster (33-9) to rip through the central region and gain their first world series birth EVER!

I'm ready!!  I hope the 3 and 4 starters are.  They'll have to do better than their combined season averages (5.34 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, .276 OBA and 81:41 K:BB).

Funny that you hi-light the Webster pitching staff as a weakness.  Show me a 3 & 4 starter combination in this regional that is significantly better that Webster.  Then show me a team in this regional that has a lower team ERA than Webster.  Don't give me the line about how terrible the SLIAC is either.  Their team ERA is 3.78 and was 3.63 in the conference.  Clearly they didn't just feast on the weak hitting of the SLIAC.

[JohnnyU]

While maybe not the most "difficult," the central is the most balanced region (west is a close 2nd, and at a "more difficult" level). Anyone 1-6 can win it.  I'll take Webster. Everyone knows the SLIAC is not the best conference, but Webster also did really well outside of the conference. More importantly, I think Webster has a little "no one believes in us" attitude, which is always dangerous.

[TurtleHead]

I really am surprised they didn't move either Stevens Point or St Thomas down to this regional.  I did guess that Rose Hulman would be placed here So I was half right. 

I see a lot of posting about Webster, but I still am not sold on them at this point.  Could easily loose to Ripon in the first game.   Agree with Big Poppa on Rose Hulman. They could be a force.  Have played and beat some pretty solid teams this year, but did slump toward the end of the regular season. 

I am going to pick Illinois Wesleyan.  Don't as me why.  Just have a feeling.

[BigToughGuy]

I really am surprised they didn't move either Stevens Point or St Thomas down to this regional.  I did guess that Rose Hulman would be placed here So I was half right. 

I see a lot of posting about Webster, but I still am not sold on them at this point.  Could easily loose to Ripon in the first game.   Agree with Big Poppa on Rose Hulman. They could be a force.  Have played and beat some pretty solid teams this year, but did slump toward the end of the regular season. 

I am going to pick Illinois Wesleyan.  Don't as me why.  Just have a feeling.

I look at Webster kind of like Butler in the NCAA basketball tournament this year.  They have been to the playoffs several times recently and even made some noise in 2008 (lost in extra innings in the regional final).  This year they finally have a little buzz about them coming into the tournament.   Not to mention that the latest ABCA poll today has Webster ranked #22 in the country, higher than any other team in this regional.  North Central and Buena Vista are ranked #26 and #30, respectively.  Rose-Hulman was also receiving votes.

[upandin]

Hey Pappa remember back when you and I were having a little head to head banter at the beginning of the season?  I remember how crazy people thought I was for having Webster, Buena Vista and Ill Wesleyan, in my top 6.  (ex. Captain Morgan)  I also had Carthage in there as well.   By my count 4 of my top 6 made the regional.  Now I will admit my other 2 picks, Coe and Beloit, ( both picked by the coaches to win or be at the top of their conference) Choked Big Time.  All though if you remember right I thought Beloit was way over rated, and I thought you were wrong in crowing Carthage the champs even with obvious holes to fill.  I think I even said Ill Wesleyan could be the team to knock Carthage off. ( I know they were 3-3 on the year but they won the two that counted and are sitting in a good spot to take the central)  BV was not even in your top 8 now they are the top seed and playing well. Webster was your 6.  My whole beef with you was that there are good teams outside the CCIW that should be recognized. 
Now I just love to see you giving some of your love to other schools outside the CCIW.  BV is for real and Webster is a good team as well.  Congrats to you Pappa!  You have come a long way.  I look forward to next years preview.  ( if you want some info feel free to contact me )

O Ya.....our Arizona Freshman predictions:  Blumenrich (Grinnell) hit .250 with 1 2B in only 9 starts... Stien (Coe) hit .330 with 10 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 16 SB, and 1st team All-IIAC OF. 

[upandin]

How is there not more players from the Central Region on that D3 All-American team.  Pappa I thought you had some pull around here?

[BigPoppa]

How is there not more players from the Central Region on that D3 All-American team.  Pappa I thought you had some pull around here?

Ha!  Here is my ballot:(The numbers around the nation were incredible this season. Every guy that got it truly deserved it.)

Player of the Year:
1st – Brian Youchak- 2B (Johns Hopkins)
2nd – Chris Frantini OF (SUNYIT)
3rd – Regan Dixon- C (Hardin-Simmons)
4th – Evan Jones 1B (Trinity-TX)
5th – Tony Jandron UTL (St. Norbert)

Pitcher of the Year:
1st – Brian Rauh (Chapman)
2nd – Riley Tischner (Whitewater)
3rd – Matt Schuld (St. Thomas)
4th – Alec Lewis (Coe)
5th – Jeff Adams (St. Scholastica)


1B
1. Evan Jones (Trinity TX)
2. Stefan Neece (Greenville)
3. Joey Aiello (Carthage)

2B
1. Brian Youchak (Johns Hopkins)
2. Matt Johnson (Wooster)
3. Matt Greene (Frostburg State)

SS
1. Greg Van Horn (Wooster)
2. Nick Robinson (North Central)
3. Kelson Brown (Linfield)

3B
1. Matt Brown (Hampton-Sydney)
2. Willie Brechun (Heidelberg)
3. Nick Beaman (Ripon)

C
1. Regan Dixon (Hardin-Simmons)
1. John Swarr (Johns Hopkins)
2. Michael Corrigan (North Central)

DH
1. Mike Marion (Virginia Wesleyan)
2. Donald Reese (Keystone)
3. Stuart Magee (Mississippi College)

OF
1. Chris Frantini OF (SUNYIT)
1. Ricardo Lizcano (Heidelberg)
1. Alex Cowart (Adrian)
2. Dave Kahn (Johns Hopkins)
2. Al Matthews (Williams)
2. Cody Young (Anderson)
3. Tim Sweeny (Curry)
3. Will Wright (Mary Washington)
3. Jason Simone (Cortland State)


UTIL
1. Tony Jandron (St. Norbert)
2. Brad Kubis (Bethany Lutheran)
3. James Kang (Pomona-Pitzer)

P
1. Brian Rauh (Chapman)
1. Riley Tischner (Whitewater)
1. Matt Schuld (St. Thomas)
1. Alec Lewis (Coe)

2. Jeff Adams (St. Scholastica)
2. Derek Johnson (Redlands)
2. Paul Uhl (Thomas More)
2. James Murrey (Macalester)

3. Sam Eagelson (Johns Hopkins)
3. Brad Orosey (TLU)
3. Andy Lowe (Heidelberg)
3. Chris DeGoti (Tufts)

[Kohawk Krazy]

How is there not more players from the Central Region on that D3 All-American team.  Pappa I thought you had some pull around here?

I agree.  No one from the Iowa Conference.  I might be bias, but how can Alec Lewis not make Honorable Mention at the least with an 11-0 record and the other stats he had, especially when you compare them to some of the guys that made it.

[BigPoppa]

How is there not more players from the Central Region on that D3 All-American team.  Pappa I thought you had some pull around here?

I agree.  No one from the Iowa Conference.  I might be bias, but how can Alec Lewis not make Honorable Mention at the least with an 11-0 record and the other stats he had, especially when you compare them to some of the guys that made it.

I voted Alec Lewis a first-teamer, but other voters did not agree. Statistically, the guys in the IIAC did not measure up well against the top players from the rest of the nation.