BB: Central Region Rankings

[TheSportsFan]

The IIAC games aren't necessarily "mostly" against middle of the pack IIAC teams

St. Olaf is still one of the better teams in the Midwest and took two from BV and split with Wartburg.

Even though Macalester is considered middle of the pack, they have arguably the best pitcher in the MIAC in Murray. (about same level as Schuld of St. Thomas).

Coe is off to a nice 2-1 start against good competition while Simpson and Cornell aren't expected to do much and are a combined 3-2.

The surprise so far is to see BV and Wartburg two "predicted" favorites at a combined 1-5 (4 against STO and one against Murray of Mac).

[BigPoppa]

I am not sure if the BV and Wartburg losses are a "surprise" considering the team (STO) and the pitcher (Murray) that they faced. I think most teams in the nation would have struggled with those combinations. At this point in the season, all stats and comparisons are mostly meaningless except for the fact that it gives me something to do instead of educate America's youth.

I still think they are both solid IIAC teams and will fare well inside the conference once it revs up. The other team that is starting to scare me a bit is Luther. The more I look at their roster, the more I like them. The IIAC is going to be a dogfight this year... much more than it has been in the past.

[BigPoppa]

BigPoppa's early regional ranking: There are very few games to go on at this point so expect a lot of movement in the next few weeks as teams crank it up.

Rank: Previous in parenthesis
1.   Carthage 2-1 (1) Lost to #8 Heidelberg

2.   Augustana 7-0 (10) Keeps rolling along


3.   Wheaton 1-1 (3) Not enough to drop or raise at this point

4.   Beloit 5-3 (2) Some tough losses down south, but games that needed to be one if they want to be a contender

5.   Webster 2-0 (8) Unbeaten is unbeaten...


6.   St. Norbert 0-0 (6) dropped to make room for a 7-0 Augustana

7.   Washington University 5-1 (7) Pounding on the SLIAC conference right now... lost to Coe


8.   North Park 4-0 (18) Could be the sleeper in the central region

9.   Coe 4-2 (16) starting to add up in-region wins

10.   Central 4-0 (27) Biggest mover of the week... can they keep it up? Not much competition yet.

•   Out of the top ten:
o   Wartburg 2-3 Need to be better than that to stay in the top ten
o   Illinois Wesleyan 0-2 cannot get swept by DePauw and expect to stay in the hunt
o   Loras 0-0 victim of a late start, but will have a chance to move quickly once play begins.

[TurtleHead]

1.   Carthage (CCIW)-Rough schedule to start out season.  Currently 2-1 and play Wooster today.

2.   Augustana (CCIW)-Great start to season (7-0), but now will have to face a number of teams #1 pitchers on second time through Florida.  Should be telling.

3.   Beloit (MWC)-Stand at 5-3 after Florida Trip.  2 losses to ranked teams (Rose Hulman and Augustana).  Won last 3 to end trip.

4.   Washington University (UAA)-(5-1) have not really played anyone yet.  UAA tournament should give us a little more clarity.

5.   Webster (SLIAC)-(2-0) Looking to reverse SLIAC trend. 

6.   St. Norbert- Does not start season for another week.

7.   Illinois Wesleyan (CCIW)-(0-2) Swept at double header in Depauw.  Not sure how much the return of Brent Kulavic will matter.  Usually takes a year of playing after injury to really get back to form.

Tie 8.  Coe (IIAC)-(4-3)  Not sure what to make of them. Offense seems good but pitching worries me.
Tie 8.  Wartburg (IIAC)-(2-3) Could be same story as last year, but have won last 2 games maybe turning it around. 

9.  Wheaton (CCIW)-Losing to a team picked to come in 10 in their conference is not a good way to start season.  On played 2 games though (1-1)

10. Loras (IIAC)-Season starts on the 10th. 

Others:  Did not rank Central or North Park due to schedule strength.  Centrals Florida trip starts on the 12th and we wont have a good idea about North Park until Webster Tournament on the 20th. 

[BigPoppa]

3.   Beloit (MWC)-Stand at 5-3 after Florida Trip.  2 losses to ranked teams (Rose Hulman and Augustana).  Won last 3 to end trip.

Augustana is not currently ranked, but I'd expect them to be when the new poll arrives tomorrow morning.

[TurtleHead]

3.   Beloit (MWC)-Stand at 5-3 after Florida Trip.  2 losses to ranked teams (Rose Hulman and Augustana).  Won last 3 to end trip.

Augustana is not currently ranked, but I'd expect them to be when the new poll arrives tomorrow morning.

Sorry, think I was looking at yours when I put them on it. 

[BigPoppa]

Simply because I am bored while watching the snow melt off the local baseball fields...

Conference records through 3/8:

CCIW: 18-9 .667
IIAC: 14-14 .500
MWC: 6-6 .500
SLIAC: 10-18 .357

[TurtleHead]

A lot of rain outs for anyone in Florida this week.  Will be a lot of teams looking for makeup games this spring to fill out their schedule.

Anyone got any match ups they would like to see that otherwise are not on the schedule?

[BigPoppa]

A lot of rain outs for anyone in Florida this week.  Will be a lot of teams looking for makeup games this spring to fill out their schedule.

Anyone got any match ups they would like to see that otherwise are not on the schedule?

I'd like to see Beloit vs. more of the CCIW teams.

[TurtleHead]

A lot of rain outs for anyone in Florida this week.  Will be a lot of teams looking for makeup games this spring to fill out their schedule.

Anyone got any match ups they would like to see that otherwise are not on the schedule?

I'd like to see Beloit vs. more of the CCIW teams.

Me too, but Beloit hasn't had any rain outs and schedule is full.  Maybe MSOE or Wisconsin Lutheran will get rained out and they can schedule Wheaton, Carthage or IWU. 

Would love to see Beloit, Ripon, St Norbert play more CCIW teams now that they are in the Central.  Would be quite a drive to/from Ripon and St Norbert though.  Would likely be played at a neutral site like Rockford.  I know Ripon and St Norbert seem to be more than willing to play quality competition in non-conference. Ripon is playing Whitewater, Stevens Point and St Francis this year.  St Norbert is playing Oshkosh and Stevens Point.   

 

[sportsguru4]

it is my understanding that the midwest conference actually increased the number of games that each team can play per season by two games beginning this season so technically Beloit has the chance to add two more games to the schedule at some point it something works out. It would be great to see them matched up against a CCIW school, I'm sure that after that game against Augustana in Florida, the Bucs would love another shot at them.

[TurtleHead]

it is my understanding that the midwest conference actually increased the number of games that each team can play per season by two games beginning this season so technically Beloit has the chance to add two more games to the schedule at some point it something works out. It would be great to see them matched up against a CCIW school, I'm sure that after that game against Augustana in Florida, the Bucs would love another shot at them.

Did not realize that, but looking at the schedules of some of the other teams you appear to be correct.  Would really like to see them add the 2 games. 

[TurtleHead]

Was hoping to get some more clarity this week, but with all the rain outs not a lot of ball was played.

1.   Carthage (CCIW)-Keeping in top spot (5-3), but with the cupcake schedule they had to open the season I am having a hard time keeping them here.    Just kidding BP.

2.   Augustana (CCIW)-Idle last week (7-0).  Back in Florida on the 18th vs St Norbert. 

3.   Beloit (MWC)-Idle last week (5-3). Home opener on 3/20 vs. MSOE.

4.   Wheaton (CCIW)-(4-2) felt they should have been 5-1, but with all the rain outs still not sure about this team.

5.   Coe (IIAC)-(6-4) IIAC seems to have a lot of middle of the pack teams.  Coe currently has the best record.

6.   Webster (SLIAC)-(3-2) Played well against RPI but lost a disappointing game to Wittenberg.

7.    St. Norbert-(MWC)-(1-1) Split double header with Fontbonne to open season. Sure they felt they should have gotten the sweep.   Spring trip began on 3/14.

8.   Illinois Wesleyan (CCIW)-(1-3) Lost to Marietta.  Beat Rhodes.  Giving benefit of the doubt right now due to schedule.   

9.   Ripon (MWC)-(1-0) Opens season with win over Loras.  Spring trip began on 3/14.

10.   Washington University (UAA)-(6-5) Poor showing at UAA Championships almost every game turned into a slugfest.

Others receiving votes.  North Park - (Good record but poor competition), North Central -(Beat a solid Franklin team but haven't played since 3/7), Fontbonne -(Beat St Norbert and is on Spring trip this week). 

Other Notes -  Wartburg - (Needs to stop playing Concordia IL. 0-3)

[BigPoppa]

Turtle Head- Great work. If anything, the Florida trips mades things more murky than it was two weeks ago. I am really not sure about IWU who was absolutely lit up by Marietta last week.

Carthage probably still holds my #1 spot as well, but I am not certtain tehir sewwp opf #4 Kean is as impressive as it looks. Carthage pounded them and they appear to be struggling a bit right nowe. Also, losing to Ohio Welseyan could come back to haunt them. The Carthage defense has been its achilles heel so far. In their losses, they have chucked the ball all over the ballpark.

Beloit needs to step it up this week as I see Augustana putting some pressure on them in the region.

I think my only disagreement with you is about North Park. From talking with a few who have seen them play, they are really handing it to the teams they have played so far, regardless of level of competition.

[TurtleHead]

Turtle Head- Great work. If anything, the Florida trips mades things more murky than it was two weeks ago. I am really not sure about IWU who was absolutely lit up by Marietta last week.

Carthage probably still holds my #1 spot as well, but I am not certtain tehir sewwp opf #4 Kean is as impressive as it looks. Carthage pounded them and they appear to be struggling a bit right nowe. Also, losing to Ohio Welseyan could come back to haunt them. The Carthage defense has been its achilles heel so far. In their losses, they have chucked the ball all over the ballpark.

Beloit needs to step it up this week as I see Augustana putting some pressure on them in the region.

Beloit probably wont get challenged (at least I hope not) until the end of march when they play Knox (projected #1 in South) and Washington U.  Even then they should be very winnable games.

I think my only disagreement with you is about North Park. From talking with a few who have seen them play, they are really handing it to the teams they have played so far, regardless of level of competition.

My only issue with North Park is I do not think they are seeing the pitching they will see in the CCIW.  A lot of the kids that are hitting now may not be able to when they face someone that can hit their spots and throw off speed for strikes consistently.   If they prove me wrong good for them. I always enjoy hearing about an improving program.   

IWU I believe had a Team ERA of 11 before they entered the Rhodes game.  Maybe I should reconsider my previous statement about North Park not seeing CCIW pitching.