BB: Central Region Rankings

[OshDude]

BigPoppa's Central Region Rankings Prediction(4/29):

1. Carthage: clear-cut #1
2. Webster: clear-cut #2
3/4. Illinois Wesleyan/ Wheaton (great battle for CCIW #2/#3 slot) Wheaton took 2 of 3 from IWU.
5. Wartburg (charging hard in the IIAC... can they get it done in time to grab the #1 seed)
6. WashU (gonna be a close call on whether or not they get a bid. Big DH with Webster might determine their Pool B fate)
7/8. Grinnell/Ripon (Ripon is shooting up the standings lately, while Grinnell is an average team in a division)
9/10. Loras/Buena Vista (BV really hurt themselves last week by dropping a pair to Wartburg as Loras blew by into the IIAC lead)
11. Augustana (what a disappointment from this team, I was very high on them in the pre-season and they started out looking great)
12. Beloit (I think the other shoe just fell... the Bucs' Cinderella season has struck midnight)

*The deeper we go the more teams are breaking into my regional rankings. It should clear this week as many of the rainouts are due to be made up in the next 7 days. Teams' pitching staffs will be tested all over the Central Region this week as long as the rain holds off again.

Grinnell's OWP is crazy bad (.369). It's hard to get it that low.
Some more math available on the blog. Too tired to make a regional-ranking forecast today, but I will tomorrow. Since the numbers are there, what does everyone else think the ranking should be this week?

EDIT: I guess I'll do Wartburg's OWP. Hold on ... it'll be on the blog shortly. Then I'm going to bed.

[BigPoppa]

I know that Grinnell's OWP is terrible, but I am not sure the committee will overlook their standing on top of the South Division in the MWC.

[OshDude]

I know that Grinnell's OWP is terrible, but I am not sure the committee will overlook their standing on top of the South Division in the MWC.

Since you liked the idea the first time I proposed it, if GC is ranked this week the brats are on me. It's the MWC South ... and a .369 OWP. No chance. I don't think a MWC South team was ranked last year. Could be wrong, though.

[BigPoppa]

I know that Grinnell's OWP is terrible, but I am not sure the committee will overlook their standing on top of the South Division in the MWC.

Since you liked the idea the first time I proposed it, if GC is ranked this week the brats are on me.

You really know the way to grab my attention, don't you?!

[theoneandonly]

When do regional rankings come out again? or is that a 1 time deal?

[BigPoppa]

When do regional rankings come out again? or is that a 1 time deal?

Tomorrow. Expect your SLIAC boys to land in the #2 spot. Webster's 24-0 run in ANY conference is very impressive.

[OshDude]

Pops,
You returning to the fairest state for the World Series this year?

[BigPoppa]

Pops,
You returning to the fairest state for the World Series this year?

I am trying to... so many things going on and I coach as well. It may depend on how we fare in the regionals. I will do all I can to be there this year.

[JohnnyU]

What do you think about this as possible rankings...

1. Carthage (obviously)
2. Webster (24-0 speaks for itself)
3. Illinois Wesleyan (not many bad losses)
4. WashU (Webster's only loss against a DIII opponent since March 20)
5. Wheaton (hovering above .500 but a lot of good wins)
6. Wartburg (taking 2 out of 3 from Buena Vista helps)

[OshDude]

My Week 2 Central forecast ... tough one this week compared to last:
1. Carthage
2. Webster
3. IWU
4. Ripon
5. Buena Vista
6. Wheaton
Next four: Coe, Loras, Luther, Wartburg

[BigPoppa]

My Week 2 Central forecast ... tough one this week compared to last:

Agreed... this week is very tough as a lot of shuffling happened over the weekend.

[Mr. Ypsi]

BigPoppa's Central Region Rankings Prediction(4/29):

1. Carthage: clear-cut #1
2. Webster: clear-cut #2
3/4. Illinois Wesleyan/ Wheaton (great battle for CCIW #2/#3 slot) Wheaton took 2 of 3 from IWU.
5. Wartburg (charging hard in the IIAC... can they get it done in time to grab the #1 seed)
6. WashU (gonna be a close call on whether or not they get a bid. Big DH with Webster might determine their Pool B fate)
7/8. Grinnell/Ripon (Ripon is shooting up the standings lately, while Grinnell is an average team in a division)
9/10. Loras/Buena Vista (BV really hurt themselves last week by dropping a pair to Wartburg as Loras blew by into the IIAC lead)
11. Augustana (what a disappointment from this team, I was very high on them in the pre-season and they started out looking great)
12. Beloit (I think the other shoe just fell... the Bucs' Cinderella season has struck midnight)

*The deeper we go the more teams are breaking into my regional rankings. It should clear this week as many of the rainouts are due to be made up in the next 7 days. Teams' pitching staffs will be tested all over the Central Region this week as long as the rain holds off again.

Just a slight correction - Wheaton took the first two from IWU; the third game should just now be getting underway.

While I haven't attempted to calculate their in-region record, Wheaton's overall record is only 19-15.  Unless at least 5 or 6 of those losses are non-region, that may be too much to get them ranked (though currently I'd agree they deserve it).

[BigPoppa]

Ypsi- thanks for the correction. I think you are correct on Wheaton, but I feel they currently deserve a ranking spot in an otherwise weak Central Region.

[BigPoppa]

My original central region predictions from 2009:

BigPoppa's 2009 Central Region Rankings:


1.   Illinois Wesleyan- CCIW (Even with Kulavic out, the Titans will be there in the end) MISS... sort of

2.   Carthage- CCIW (The loss of 2008 all-CCIW pitcher Mario Perez to injury will be balanced by the return from injury of 2007 all-CCIW pitcher Chris Krepline) HIT

3.   Wartburg- IIAC (Billy Schmitt has the arm to lead the Knights back to the top of the Central Region) Jury still out

4.   Webster- SLIAC (Solid team that benefits from a very weak SLIAC this season. Expect them to climb the ranknings once league play starts) HIT

5.   Ripon- MWC (Dominance of the MWC will continue in 2009 and will only face one league challenge in Beloit) Jury still out

6.   Augustana- CCIW (Probably the third best team in the region, but I find it hard to place them higher this early as they will only be the third best CCIW team) BIG MISS

7.   Simpson- IIAC (Should pressure Wartburg for the IIAC title and return most of the line up from last season) MISS

8.   Beloit- MWC (ENTIRE lineup back from 2008 squad that went 18-16. MUST improve on dismal league record if they are to become a legit contender in the Central Region) Still out???

9.   WashU- UAA (OK team that will hang around for part of the season, but not make too much noise) Hit... sort of.

10. Wheaton- CCIW (Nation's batting champion returning in SS Brian Kolb and a serious upgrade at coach with the arrival of Lee Driggers from McMurry. Could be the sleeper pick in the region.) HIT... sort of?

Not sure how to score myself on this yet, but I guess the NCAA will score it for me.

[backstop]

Don't look now but Beloit is still at the ball and Ripon may be the one turning into the pumpkin