BB: Central Region Rankings

[CCIWFAN6]

This seems like a complete make or break weekend for North Park.  With their SOS being so poor, they will definitely need at a minimum a series win, possibly a sweep to remain in contention for a Pool C bid.  With what we have seen from the committee over the last few of years, this seems to be the main component in the decision making process.

[D3Vike11]

This seems like a complete make or break weekend for North Park.  With their SOS being so poor, they will definitely need at a minimum a series win, possibly a sweep to remain in contention for a Pool C bid.  With what we have seen from the committee over the last few of years, this seems to be the main component in the decision making process.

I don't think it's "make or break" just yet, but this is a crucial weekend for North Park. Winning 2 of 3 or sweeping Wesleyan would set them up nicely to be hosting the tournament. Considering that 6 of their 7 losses have come playing away from Holmgren Field, they want to be hosting the tournament.

[CCIWFAN6]

If NPU loses 2 out of 3 or worse this weekend, it would create a situation very similar to the situation they found themselves in last year.  That would put their record at 23-9.  Lets so in a perfect world, they sweet Elmhurt, win 2 out of 3 against NCC and finish 28-10 before the conference tournament. 

In this situation, they are looking for a pool C bid, and best case they are 30-12.  The exact same record as they were last year with a very poor SOS.  Now, over the next two weeks their SOS will improve by playing IWU, EC, and NCC.  It could have a strong enough impact to change this outlook, but as it stands now, I still feel like they need at least 2 out of 3 to maintain a decent chance at a Pool C.

[D3Vike11]

If NPU loses 2 out of 3 or worse this weekend, it would create a situation very similar to the situation they found themselves in last year.  That would put their record at 23-9.  Lets so in a perfect world, they sweet Elmhurt, win 2 out of 3 against NCC and finish 28-10 before the conference tournament. 

In this situation, they are looking for a pool C bid, and best case they are 30-12.  The exact same record as they were last year with a very poor SOS.  Now, over the next two weeks their SOS will improve by playing IWU, EC, and NCC.  It could have a strong enough impact to change this outlook, but as it stands now, I still feel like they need at least 2 out of 3 to maintain a decent chance at a Pool C.

That's assuming they lose the conference tournament. They are the best team this year in the CCIW, so let's wait to talk about the Pool C bid until AFTER the tourney.

[CCIWFAN6]

If NPU loses 2 out of 3 or worse this weekend, it would create a situation very similar to the situation they found themselves in last year.  That would put their record at 23-9.  Lets so in a perfect world, they sweet Elmhurt, win 2 out of 3 against NCC and finish 28-10 before the conference tournament. 

In this situation, they are looking for a pool C bid, and best case they are 30-12.  The exact same record as they were last year with a very poor SOS.  Now, over the next two weeks their SOS will improve by playing IWU, EC, and NCC.  It could have a strong enough impact to change this outlook, but as it stands now, I still feel like they need at least 2 out of 3 to maintain a decent chance at a Pool C.

That's assuming they lose the conference tournament. They are the best team this year in the CCIW, so let's wait to talk about the Pool C bid until AFTER the tourney.

I am not debating this.  The best team does not always win the conference tournament, and it would be extremely disappointing to have this successful a season and not make the NCAA tournament like last year.

[Gregory Sager]

If NPU loses 2 out of 3 or worse this weekend, it would create a situation very similar to the situation they found themselves in last year.  That would put their record at 23-9.  Lets so in a perfect world, they sweet Elmhurt, win 2 out of 3 against NCC and finish 28-10 before the conference tournament. 

In this situation, they are looking for a pool C bid, and best case they are 30-12.  The exact same record as they were last year with a very poor SOS.  Now, over the next two weeks their SOS will improve by playing IWU, EC, and NCC.  It could have a strong enough impact to change this outlook, but as it stands now, I still feel like they need at least 2 out of 3 to maintain a decent chance at a Pool C.

You've left out two games. NPU has a couple of non-conference games left, one this evening at NAthCon-co-leader Rockford (13-13) and another a week from tomorrow at Chicago (14-9). The Vikings will be playing the full complement of 40 regular-season contests this season.

[D3Vike11]

My updated predicted Central Region Rankings:

1.) Central (25-7, 20-6)    IIAC
For me Central gets this by default. They have been the most consistent team in the Central Region so far.

2.) Washington U (23-11, 21-7)    UAA
They're on a bit of a losing streak, but they've had a good season so far with a tough SOS. 

3.) Il. Wesleyan (21-10, 17-9)    CCIW
They come off a big weekend series win against North Park and have the best SOS in the CCIW.

4.) Chicago (19-9, 16-8)     IND
They have some solid wins against UW-Whitewater and Washington U. Could push for a Pool B bid.

5.) Webster (22-9, 20-4)    SLIAC
Weak SOS, but they have the best In-Region record in the Central. They'll earn their automatic bid.

6.) North Park (24-9, 20-7)    CCIW
They have dropped considerably since their 17-1 start in region play. With their weak SOS, I don't know if a Pool C bid is in reach anymore.

[voiceofseason]

My updated predicted Central Region Rankings:

1.) Central (25-7, 20-6)    IIAC
For me Central gets this by default. They have been the most consistent team in the Central Region so far.

2.) Washington U (23-11, 21-7)    UAA
They're on a bit of a losing streak, but they've had a good season so far with a tough SOS. 

3.) Il. Wesleyan (21-10, 17-9)    CCIW
They come off a big weekend series win against North Park and have the best SOS in the CCIW.

4.) Chicago (19-9, 16-8)     IND
They have some solid wins against UW-Whitewater and Washington U. Could push for a Pool B bid.

5.) Webster (22-9, 20-4)    SLIAC
Weak SOS, but they have the best In-Region record in the Central. They'll earn their automatic bid.

6.) North Park (24-9, 20-7)    CCIW
They have dropped considerably since their 17-1 start in region play. With their weak SOS, I don't know if a Pool C bid is in reach anymore.

IWU hosts Wash U tomorrow night.  Never know what to expect in these mid-week games when teams blow up their pitching on the conference weekends.

Wash U lost a weekend series with Chicago, so this game is important for both sides.

[Yatzee]

Webster's hitting is starting to show up just in time. Currently having a .302 team average and a slugging percentage of .455 and having about 6 of their starters batting .300+. Scoring 39 runs in their last 5 games (12 coming from their game against WashU) Pitching is still going strong for them with a team ERA of 2.84 and giving up only 16 runs (9 in the WashU game) in those 5 games. The pitching staff, however, is not as big as they would like it to be because of injuries but should still be very good in the post season. They have 3 more SLIAC series's left (Eureka, Fontbonne, and Greenville) Webster is currently 22-9 and 14-1 in conference with a region record of 20-4 (from what i have read on here)

[D3Vike11]

Do the Regional Rankings come out today? Or next week?

[Ralph Turner]

Do the Regional Rankings come out today? Or next week?

Thursday April 26.

[D3Vike11]

The 1st Regional Rankings have come:

http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/baseball/d3/regional_rankings


1.) Chicago
2.) Wash U
3.) Il. Wesleyan
4.) Central
5.) St. Norbert
6.) Webster

[BigPoppa]

The 1st Regional Rankings have come:

http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/baseball/d3/regional_rankings


1.) Chicago
2.) Wash U
3.) Il. Wesleyan
4.) Central
5.) St. Norbert
6.) Webster

Not much of a surprise. I guess I was not certain of exactly where Chicago would land, but they have a solid SoS and taking 3 (edit... typo) of 4 from WashU last week really bumped them up the list. At this point, I am not sure I can argue with it. I figured North Park would be on the regional ranking bubble after their recent slide so I am guessing they fall somewhere around 7 or 8 this week.

[D3Vike11]

The 1st Regional Rankings have come:

http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/baseball/d3/regional_rankings


1.) Chicago
2.) Wash U
3.) Il. Wesleyan
4.) Central
5.) St. Norbert
6.) Webster

Not much of a surprise. I guess I was not certain of exactly where Chicago would land, but they have a solid SoS and taking 4 of 4 from WashU last week really bumped them up the list. At this point, I am not sure I can argue with it. I figured North Park would be on the regional ranking bubble after their recent slide so I am guessing they fall somewhere around 7 or 8 this week.

Even if they sweep Elmhurst this weekend I don't see them getting moved up to 6th or 5th in the next regional rankings, unless St. Norbert or Webster really crashes.

[CCIWFAN6]

The 1st Regional Rankings have come:

http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/baseball/d3/regional_rankings


1.) Chicago
2.) Wash U
3.) Il. Wesleyan
4.) Central
5.) St. Norbert
6.) Webster

These rankings do not include the IWU win over Wash U.  I wonder how that single game might factor into the overall rankings at the end of the year.  I think those two teams might be flip flopped, all things equal at this point.