Comments on: Updated Reaction To 64-Team Field http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/ Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:39:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Phil http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69970 Phil Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:08:55 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69970 The Pac 10 sure sucked at the regionals! Boy, everyone knows they can't play baseball on the west coast! What a joke, the committee then decides they screwed the west coast so they put California versus Dallas Baptist in Santa Clara? A mere hour away from Cal instead of a host series for them? Let's have the Pac 10 play on the road for every super regional...morons and sheep, the whole lot of them! The Pac 10 sure sucked at the regionals! Boy, everyone knows they can't play baseball on the west coast! What a joke, the committee then decides they screwed the west coast so they put California versus Dallas Baptist in Santa Clara? A mere hour away from Cal instead of a host series for them? Let's have the Pac 10 play on the road for every super regional…morons and sheep, the whole lot of them!

]]> By: Billy Jack http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69567 Billy Jack Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:56:24 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69567 Well then lets just pick teams from the ACC , SEC, and Big 12 and get 'er done ! Ooops ! I forget about the Pac 10 ! And what's that conference that TCU is in ? Oh and I forgot about Cal State Fullerton ! Oh yeah and Fresno State. Well then lets just pick teams from the ACC , SEC, and Big 12 and get 'er done ! Ooops ! I forget about the Pac 10 ! And what's that conference that TCU is in ? Oh and I forgot about Cal State Fullerton ! Oh yeah and Fresno State.

]]> By: jtb http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69565 jtb Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:30:45 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69565 As in regards to the John Stilson injury, I do not understand how an injury to a player can adversely effect a teams seeding. I realize that player's injuries are part of the criteria that is considered in deciding inclusion in the field as well as seeding but to me it does not make sense.  For example, if Cam Newton had been injuried in the SEC Championship game would Auburn have been denied playing in the championship game?  I thought this was a team sport. As in regards to the John Stilson injury, I do not understand how an injury to a player can adversely effect a teams seeding. I realize that player's injuries are part of the criteria that is considered in deciding inclusion in the field as well as seeding but to me it does not make sense.  For example, if Cam Newton had been injuried in the SEC Championship game would Auburn have been denied playing in the championship game?  I thought this was a team sport.

]]> By: South East Biased http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69453 South East Biased Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:47:01 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69453 Did anyone read the article about Miami going to Florida's regional, and how Jim Morris was talking about how the committee said they were placed in that regional due to "economic" conditions. Funny yet, Arkansas-Little Rock is flying accross country to play at Oregon State Regional. That was a horrible cop-out by the committee. But it is funny that all the West Coast teams will have to play East Coast teams in super regionals. If these were truely "economic" decisions, wouldn't West Coast teams play each other in the supers? It will just be another test to show that, against the likes of the committee, West Coast teams will prevail into the CWS over the "dominant" conferences of the SEC and ACC. Mark my words. Did anyone read the article about Miami going to Florida's regional, and how Jim Morris was talking about how the committee said they were placed in that regional due to "economic" conditions. Funny yet, Arkansas-Little Rock is flying accross country to play at Oregon State Regional. That was a horrible cop-out by the committee. But it is funny that all the West Coast teams will have to play East Coast teams in super regionals. If these were truely "economic" decisions, wouldn't West Coast teams play each other in the supers? It will just be another test to show that, against the likes of the committee, West Coast teams will prevail into the CWS over the "dominant" conferences of the SEC and ACC. Mark my words.

]]> By: HouseRulz http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69448 HouseRulz Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:56:15 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69448   <span>The SEC got hosed as much as any conference that gets 7 teams in can be hosed. </span> <span>First - Florida finished #1 in both major polls, won the SEC tournament, and was a co-champ for the regular season. UVA finished #2 in both polls, and was also a co-regular season champ and tournament champ. According to the official NCAA RPI, UVA was #2 and UF was #3, so I suppose this 1 spot in RPI trumps the polls for the committee.</span> <span>Second - Vandy finished 3rd in both polls, was a regular season co-champ, and went to the SEC tournament final. How did both UNC & FSU (and South Carolina for that matter) get a higher seed? Again I assume the committee looked at RPI. UNC finished #1, so that could be seen as a possible rationale. But with Vandy 4th in RPI there is no way FSU should have gotten ahead of them. In short, the ACC-SEC-ACC-SEC-ACC-SEC ordering of the top 6 seeds is suspect.</span> <span>Third - The general consensus seems to be that the one team snubbed from hosting a regional was Arkansas. If the NCAA put so much stock in RPI, as is indicated by the way they seeded the top 6, Arkansas' RPI was 14, UCLA was 34th. I can see the nod to UCLA by winning the Pac-10, but then perhaps that should have bounced Oregon St. whose RPI was 31.</span> <span>Fourth - Speaking of RPI, the team most indicated as being snubbed by the committee was LSU. LSU's RPI was 25. You have to go another 7 spots lower in those ranking (East Tennesse St.) to find the next team that didn't get in. In fact, of those next 7, they are all at least a 2 seed (except Mississippi St., another SEC school). Oh and by the way, you still haven't gotten to UCLA yet, on that list.</span> <span>Fifth - The match-ups for the SEC national seeds are suspect. As was posted earlier, the SEC hosts seem to be in regionals with stronger opponents, and the SEC schools who are hosting, but not national seeds seem to have to travel more. </span> <span>Last - This one will show where my true bias is, but I think the point is still valid. Florida has Miami as the #2 seed in its regional. Since they went to the 64 team format, there have been 6 occasions where 1 of these teams hosted a regional and the other did not. In five of those occasions Miami and Florida have played. They have also been paired in the Super Regionals two times when they both hosted a regional, but only 1 was a national seed. Now of course the geography argument and the conference argument (as in you can't put Miami in with FSU) have some credence. However, here in 2011, you have Stetson (RPI 23, unranked in both polls), as a 2, going to South Carolina (the 4th overall seed), while Florida (the 2nd overall seed)  gets Miami (RPI 15, 16th and 18th in the polls), again. How the #2 overall seed gets the highest ranked team in one poll to not host a regional, the second highest ranked team in the other (UConn), and the second highest RPI team to not host (Arkansas, another SEC school) is hard to explain.</span> <span>Sure it's tough to complain about 7 teams in, especially when 3 of them are top 6 seeds, but still.</span>  
The SEC got hosed as much as any conference that gets 7 teams in can be hosed. 
First – Florida finished #1 in both major polls, won the SEC tournament, and was a co-champ for the regular season. UVA finished #2 in both polls, and was also a co-regular season champ and tournament champ. According to the official NCAA RPI, UVA was #2 and UF was #3, so I suppose this 1 spot in RPI trumps the polls for the committee.
Second – Vandy finished 3rd in both polls, was a regular season co-champ, and went to the SEC tournament final. How did both UNC & FSU (and South Carolina for that matter) get a higher seed? Again I assume the committee looked at RPI. UNC finished #1, so that could be seen as a possible rationale. But with Vandy 4th in RPI there is no way FSU should have gotten ahead of them. In short, the ACC-SEC-ACC-SEC-ACC-SEC ordering of the top 6 seeds is suspect.
Third – The general consensus seems to be that the one team snubbed from hosting a regional was Arkansas. If the NCAA put so much stock in RPI, as is indicated by the way they seeded the top 6, Arkansas' RPI was 14, UCLA was 34th. I can see the nod to UCLA by winning the Pac-10, but then perhaps that should have bounced Oregon St. whose RPI was 31.
Fourth – Speaking of RPI, the team most indicated as being snubbed by the committee was LSU. LSU's RPI was 25. You have to go another 7 spots lower in those ranking (East Tennesse St.) to find the next team that didn't get in. In fact, of those next 7, they are all at least a 2 seed (except Mississippi St., another SEC school). Oh and by the way, you still haven't gotten to UCLA yet, on that list.
Fifth – The match-ups for the SEC national seeds are suspect. As was posted earlier, the SEC hosts seem to be in regionals with stronger opponents, and the SEC schools who are hosting, but not national seeds seem to have to travel more. 
Last – This one will show where my true bias is, but I think the point is still valid. Florida has Miami as the #2 seed in its regional. Since they went to the 64 team format, there have been 6 occasions where 1 of these teams hosted a regional and the other did not. In five of those occasions Miami and Florida have played. They have also been paired in the Super Regionals two times when they both hosted a regional, but only 1 was a national seed. Now of course the geography argument and the conference argument (as in you can't put Miami in with FSU) have some credence. However, here in 2011, you have Stetson (RPI 23, unranked in both polls), as a 2, going to South Carolina (the 4th overall seed), while Florida (the 2nd overall seed)  gets Miami (RPI 15, 16th and 18th in the polls), again. How the #2 overall seed gets the highest ranked team in one poll to not host a regional, the second highest ranked team in the other (UConn), and the second highest RPI team to not host (Arkansas, another SEC school) is hard to explain.
Sure it's tough to complain about 7 teams in, especially when 3 of them are top 6 seeds, but still.

]]> By: Chris http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69446 Chris Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:23:25 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69446 The selection commitee got what they wanted by trying to keep the SEC out of Omaha this year.  They should have put Ole Miss in the tourney because they never get there anyway! O le M iss A t H ome A gain The selection commitee got what they wanted by trying to keep the SEC out of Omaha this year.  They should have put Ole Miss in the tourney because they never get there anyway!
O le M iss A t H ome A gain

]]> By: C. Davis http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69445 C. Davis Wed, 01 Jun 2011 01:45:56 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69445 What amazes me about where the committee chooses to send teams is that it makes no logical sense at all.  Teams should be rewarded for having great records and seasons within their respective conferences.  South Carolina having to play a tough GA Southern team is bull with all of the other regionals nearby.  SC is the #4 national seed and has one of the toughest regionals (based on RPI).  Clemson gets UCONN, who played an inferior schedule and a #45 RPI.  They are not a #2 seed.  The Texas regional is always a joke, and this year is no different.  They always have the easiest path to Omaha.  And take a look at the Vanderbilt regional.  They get Belmont as a #4 seed.  They have beaten some very good teams this year.  Austin Peay is also located in TN.  They could have easily sent AP to Nashville and Belmont to GA Tech.  The national seed deserves the easier bracket.  Somehow the ACC, excluding VA, always gets easy regionals.  Please look historically at UNC and Clemson.  There are no coincidences.  What amazes me about where the committee chooses to send teams is that it makes no logical sense at all.  Teams should be rewarded for having great records and seasons within their respective conferences.  South Carolina having to play a tough GA Southern team is bull with all of the other regionals nearby.  SC is the #4 national seed and has one of the toughest regionals (based on RPI).  Clemson gets UCONN, who played an inferior schedule and a #45 RPI.  They are not a #2 seed.  The Texas regional is always a joke, and this year is no different.  They always have the easiest path to Omaha.  And take a look at the Vanderbilt regional.  They get Belmont as a #4 seed.  They have beaten some very good teams this year.  Austin Peay is also located in TN.  They could have easily sent AP to Nashville and Belmont to GA Tech.  The national seed deserves the easier bracket.  Somehow the ACC, excluding VA, always gets easy regionals.  Please look historically at UNC and Clemson.  There are no coincidences. 

]]> By: NCcowboy http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69443 NCcowboy Wed, 01 Jun 2011 01:32:14 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69443 UFChampCWS..did you really make that statement that Louisiana is the most baseball crazy state in US? and then used UL Lafayette, Tulane, UL Monroe & SE La as your teams??... Wow don't take those weapons to your gunfight. I'll definently give you LSU..."da"  UFChampCWS..did you really make that statement that Louisiana is the most baseball crazy state in US? and then used UL Lafayette, Tulane, UL Monroe & SE La as your teams??… Wow don't take those weapons to your gunfight. I'll definently give you LSU…"da" 

]]> By: GB http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69413 GB Tue, 31 May 2011 19:55:23 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69413 Rick, I was commenting on Seastrunk's previous comment about Texas & A&M having different conference schedules - which in the regular season was the same.  As for some of them being road games vs others being home games, to me it all shakes out in the wash.  Texas won one game from A&M in CS and one in Austin.  I can only assume that you're factoring in the tourney games - that being said, that's not what I was referring to.  Did you happen to notice who Texas pitched in the first game of the conference tourney????  Did you happen to realize that the conference tourney is basically meaningless????  Do you think that Augie probably knows that????  Bottom line is, A&M & Texas were as close this year as they've ever been and the committee saw that when they got to the end, A&M had dropped 2 of 3 to Texas so Texas got the nod - rightfully so (same situation with Rice).....don't need to waste my time going into your home/away scenarios - I would imagine if you factored all the tourney games, Texas schedule home/away would be fairly similar.  Incidentally, whether you're home or away, doesn't really matter if you don't win the game!  Before you start trying to rip apart a post, make sure you know what the person is talking about or "responding" to.  You're talking apples and I was "responding" to oranges!!! Finally - you're a big reason I always root against the Aggies!  I'd love to root for them, but when they end up whining about not getting something that they think they deserve when the writing is on the wall for everyone else in America to see, the Homerizm just kills me!!! You didn't deserve a top 8 seed, bottom line!!  Smith even made some stupid comment a couple of weeks ago after losing to Texas about how A&M was the better team, but just lost the game.....absurd.  When you lose 2 of 3, who is the better team?  I could see someone possibly making some dumb statement like that after losing one game, but 2 of 3???  Come on, the Ags broke a scoreless tie in the top of 9th of the 3rd game just to salvage 1...  Rick, I was commenting on Seastrunk's previous comment about Texas & A&M having different conference schedules – which in the regular season was the same.  As for some of them being road games vs others being home games, to me it all shakes out in the wash.  Texas won one game from A&M in CS and one in Austin.  I can only assume that you're factoring in the tourney games – that being said, that's not what I was referring to.  Did you happen to notice who Texas pitched in the first game of the conference tourney????  Did you happen to realize that the conference tourney is basically meaningless????  Do you think that Augie probably knows that????  Bottom line is, A&M & Texas were as close this year as they've ever been and the committee saw that when they got to the end, A&M had dropped 2 of 3 to Texas so Texas got the nod – rightfully so (same situation with Rice)…..don't need to waste my time going into your home/away scenarios – I would imagine if you factored all the tourney games, Texas schedule home/away would be fairly similar.  Incidentally, whether you're home or away, doesn't really matter if you don't win the game!  Before you start trying to rip apart a post, make sure you know what the person is talking about or "responding" to.  You're talking apples and I was "responding" to oranges!!!
Finally – you're a big reason I always root against the Aggies!  I'd love to root for them, but when they end up whining about not getting something that they think they deserve when the writing is on the wall for everyone else in America to see, the Homerizm just kills me!!!
You didn't deserve a top 8 seed, bottom line!!  Smith even made some stupid comment a couple of weeks ago after losing to Texas about how A&M was the better team, but just lost the game…..absurd.  When you lose 2 of 3, who is the better team?  I could see someone possibly making some dumb statement like that after losing one game, but 2 of 3???  Come on, the Ags broke a scoreless tie in the top of 9th of the 3rd game just to salvage 1… 

]]> By: UFChompCWS http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69412 UFChompCWS Tue, 31 May 2011 19:54:48 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69412 Much ado about LSU not making it . . . but when was the last time we got not a SINGLE TEAM from the entire state of Louisiana?  It's arguably the most college-baseball-crazy state in the U.S., with three traditional powers (LSU, UL Lafayette, Tulane) and two sometime competitors (UL Monroe, SE La).  Crazy year. Much ado about LSU not making it . . . but when was the last time we got not a SINGLE TEAM from the entire state of Louisiana?  It's arguably the most college-baseball-crazy state in the U.S., with three traditional powers (LSU, UL Lafayette, Tulane) and two sometime competitors (UL Monroe, SE La).  Crazy year.

]]> By: killacam http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69411 killacam Tue, 31 May 2011 19:45:53 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69411 Most of the arguments on here are based on a particular team getting the shaft in some respect.  It seems like the underlying voice in many of these discussions is "my team got a tougher opponent, and this team's road to omaha is much easier, etc, etc."  Everyone knows the ACC, SEC, and Big 12 are the powerhouse conferences.  Not even an argument.  Is the ACC #8 better than Big East #2?  Pretty good chance.  For someone to say they should take the top 2 team from each conference for the field of 64 is beyond ridiculous, and probably not even worth commenting on, but I'll give you an easy example and be done with it.  Florida, South Carolina, and Vandy are 2, 4, and 6 in the national rankings.  So the #4 national seed gets left out of the NCAA tournament for not making it to the SEC championship game this year..... Sounds pretty ridiculous, right?  If not, you probably need to pick a new sport to follow, or sports altogether. The other discussion, based on teams getting tougher regionals than another is also ridiculous.  If your team is a #2 national seed, you should be pretty confident that they can move past a #16 seed.  They're going to have to face tougher competition the further they get, and your end goal isn't to host a super regional, is it?  I'm pretty sure it's a national championship.  People forget this is June. Its not about rankings, its about who gets hot at the right time.  Forget what this team did back in March or how many fans your stadium holds. To a point, anyone can beat anyone on any given day.  When all is said and done, the best team will hoist the trophy in Omaha. Most of the arguments on here are based on a particular team getting the shaft in some respect.  It seems like the underlying voice in many of these discussions is "my team got a tougher opponent, and this team's road to omaha is much easier, etc, etc." 
Everyone knows the ACC, SEC, and Big 12 are the powerhouse conferences.  Not even an argument.  Is the ACC #8 better than Big East #2?  Pretty good chance.  For someone to say they should take the top 2 team from each conference for the field of 64 is beyond ridiculous, and probably not even worth commenting on, but I'll give you an easy example and be done with it.  Florida, South Carolina, and Vandy are 2, 4, and 6 in the national rankings.  So the #4 national seed gets left out of the NCAA tournament for not making it to the SEC championship game this year….. Sounds pretty ridiculous, right?  If not, you probably need to pick a new sport to follow, or sports altogether.
The other discussion, based on teams getting tougher regionals than another is also ridiculous.  If your team is a #2 national seed, you should be pretty confident that they can move past a #16 seed.  They're going to have to face tougher competition the further they get, and your end goal isn't to host a super regional, is it?  I'm pretty sure it's a national championship.  People forget this is June. Its not about rankings, its about who gets hot at the right time.  Forget what this team did back in March or how many fans your stadium holds. To a point, anyone can beat anyone on any given day.  When all is said and done, the best team will hoist the trophy in Omaha.

]]> By: NCcowboy http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69396 NCcowboy Tue, 31 May 2011 16:35:14 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69396 I thought one of the objectives was to increase college baseball visibility and fan base and all we have heard for years was location, location, location so that ballparks could be filled. Also that the teams with "better" facilities and higher regular season attendance would be considered over those that failed to meet that criteria. Well you can toss all that aside, just look at teams that are traveling that could be staying within a fan base. Example is the UNC regional? why not just have UNC move to a SR without playing, and a #3 seating?? C'mon you a now acting like the politicians you claim not to be... Several other examples exist once you look at the brackets. Maybe even a UNC; Charlotte; East Carolina and then toss in an outside lower placed team. Boshemer stadium would be rocking & sold out the entire weekend, but lets not put UNC in too much of a pickle to get out of the regional. UCLA Hosting??and I can go on, they don't even pull a consistent fan base... Charlotte traveling west? College Baseball is awesome but it's crazy if one team has "advantage" over others. I thought one of the objectives was to increase college baseball visibility and fan base and all we have heard for years was location, location, location so that ballparks could be filled. Also that the teams with "better" facilities and higher regular season attendance would be considered over those that failed to meet that criteria. Well you can toss all that aside, just look at teams that are traveling that could be staying within a fan base. Example is the UNC regional? why not just have UNC move to a SR without playing, and a #3 seating?? C'mon you a now acting like the politicians you claim not to be… Several other examples exist once you look at the brackets. Maybe even a UNC; Charlotte; East Carolina and then toss in an outside lower placed team. Boshemer stadium would be rocking & sold out the entire weekend, but lets not put UNC in too much of a pickle to get out of the regional. UCLA Hosting??and I can go on, they don't even pull a consistent fan base… Charlotte traveling west? College Baseball is awesome but it's crazy if one team has "advantage" over others.

]]> By: Jim Fletcher http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69390 Jim Fletcher Tue, 31 May 2011 16:11:53 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69390 Some people think that it was between Texas and Texas A&M for the eighth national seed.  However, Texas is the seventh of the eight seeds, and Rice is the eighth seed.  Thus, assuming A&M was considered the ninth overall seed, the argument for the final spot would be between Rice and A&M (rather than Texas and A&M).  Furthermore, it appears that the season-ending injury of A&M's best starting pitcher, Stilson, was taken into account by the selection committee.  Without Stilson, I doubt the Aggies will make it to Omaha.  Lastly, Aggies have always been known to focus too much time and energy on whatever the Longhorns are doing.  I can only guess how many A&M fans will be attending their (A&M's) regional tournament this weekend while watching the Longhorn games through the gametracker feature on their mobile telephones.  I like Texas to advance to Omaha after beating Arizona State in three games in the super regional in Austin, and I like Texas to beat Florida with Jungmann on the mound in the Longhorns' first game in Omaha.  After that, who knows?  Hook 'em Horns!  Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin and 1999 Texas State alumnus     Some people think that it was between Texas and Texas A&M for the eighth national seed.  However, Texas is the seventh of the eight seeds, and Rice is the eighth seed.  Thus, assuming A&M was considered the ninth overall seed, the argument for the final spot would be between Rice and A&M (rather than Texas and A&M).  Furthermore, it appears that the season-ending injury of A&M's best starting pitcher, Stilson, was taken into account by the selection committee.  Without Stilson, I doubt the Aggies will make it to Omaha.  Lastly, Aggies have always been known to focus too much time and energy on whatever the Longhorns are doing.  I can only guess how many A&M fans will be attending their (A&M's) regional tournament this weekend while watching the Longhorn games through the gametracker feature on their mobile telephones.  I like Texas to advance to Omaha after beating Arizona State in three games in the super regional in Austin, and I like Texas to beat Florida with Jungmann on the mound in the Longhorns' first game in Omaha.  After that, who knows?  Hook 'em Horns!  Jim Fletcher, 1997 UT-Austin and 1999 Texas State alumnus
   

]]> By: Billy Jack http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69383 Billy Jack Tue, 31 May 2011 14:44:59 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69383 Listen to all this chatter. Something is obviously wrong with the selection process. New Mexico beats TCU for the MWC championship and they are 20 and 39 ! TCU gets the number one seed ! Not punished for getting beat that ONE TIME ! I bet the Yankees wish they could have got to the World Series after losing to the Rangers in the ALCS last year ! Wins and losses don't mean anything in this process . It's who draws the most fans. It's who plays the best teams according to the opinions of a select few. Simple solution - 32 D-1 conferences. Top 2 teams in each conference make the field of 64. Regionals to be held at a neutral site. Problem solved.  Listen to all this chatter. Something is obviously wrong with the selection process. New Mexico beats TCU for the MWC championship and they are 20 and 39 ! TCU gets the number one seed ! Not punished for getting beat that ONE TIME ! I bet the Yankees wish they could have got to the World Series after losing to the Rangers in the ALCS last year ! Wins and losses don't mean anything in this process . It's who draws the most fans. It's who plays the best teams according to the opinions of a select few. Simple solution – 32 D-1 conferences. Top 2 teams in each conference make the field of 64. Regionals to be held at a neutral site. Problem solved. 

]]> By: Matt http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69381 Matt Tue, 31 May 2011 14:10:01 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69381 So sick of seeing Florida and Miami matched up year after year.  I get that they want to keep teams closer to home, but come on, it's boring seeing the same teams year after year.  Change it up a bit!  And Florida (as the #2 seed) was done no favors by getting Miami (in the top 15-20 all year in RPI and the rankings) as the 2 in their regional.  That's a pretty rough draw for the #2 national seed.  If you go by RPI they should have played somebody closer to the 30-31 range than 15-20.  So sick of seeing Florida and Miami matched up year after year.  I get that they want to keep teams closer to home, but come on, it's boring seeing the same teams year after year.  Change it up a bit!  And Florida (as the #2 seed) was done no favors by getting Miami (in the top 15-20 all year in RPI and the rankings) as the 2 in their regional.  That's a pretty rough draw for the #2 national seed.  If you go by RPI they should have played somebody closer to the 30-31 range than 15-20. 

]]> By: Alex D http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69380 Alex D Tue, 31 May 2011 14:03:23 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69380 Who has the easiest path (Top 8 seeds)? #1 Virginia (opponents RPI - 270) #2 Florida (180) #3 UNC (245) #4 USC (135) #5 Florida St (173) #6 Vandy (159) #7 Texas (237) #8 Rice (283) Appears that the committee did no favors to the SEC... with 6 of the remaining 8 regional sites have easier RPI schedules than the SEC top seeds. Who has the easiest path (Top 8 seeds)?
#1 Virginia (opponents RPI – 270)
#2 Florida (180)
#3 UNC (245)
#4 USC (135)
#5 Florida St (173)
#6 Vandy (159)
#7 Texas (237)
#8 Rice (283)
Appears that the committee did no favors to the SEC… with 6 of the remaining 8 regional sites have easier RPI schedules than the SEC top seeds.

]]> By: Rick http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69379 Rick Tue, 31 May 2011 13:55:57 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69379 GB, the facts are these on the schedule comparisons between Texas A&M and the horns: * The horns got a free pass for playing a soft and home-heavy schedule (SOS = #61) * A&M was 23-8 versus Big 12 competition this season (with only 12 of the 31 games at Olsen field), while the horns were 22-10 versus Big 12 competition this year. Since you seem to be so expert at the schedule comparisons, could you enlighten us on the conference road series versus conference home series "similarities" between the two (hint: they are not similar)? GB, the facts are these on the schedule comparisons between Texas A&M and the horns:
* The horns got a free pass for playing a soft and home-heavy schedule (SOS = #61)
* A&M was 23-8 versus Big 12 competition this season (with only 12 of the 31 games at Olsen field), while the horns were 22-10 versus Big 12 competition this year.
Since you seem to be so expert at the schedule comparisons, could you enlighten us on the conference road series versus conference home series "similarities" between the two (hint: they are not similar)?

]]> By: Bert http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69360 Bert Tue, 31 May 2011 10:42:33 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69360 Tim Weiser=former Kansas State AD. St. Johns AD also on selection committee. Weiser=deputy Big 12 commish, which means Texas gets its usual cream-puff regional. Here's one problem, though, with the surprising way the committee minimized its reliance on RPI -- scheduling. Nothing they had done in previous years should have led an LSU to think they had to travel to bolster their NCAA chances. Their AD is probably telling Maineiri to schedule more home games (to pay for the new Alex Box), and the school presidents don't  want them traveling in midweek and missing classes. So the committee sent -- via LSU -- a new message. But they did it after the fact, and that's why the LSU fans have every right to be upset. Tim Weiser=former Kansas State AD.
St. Johns AD also on selection committee.
Weiser=deputy Big 12 commish, which means Texas gets its usual cream-puff regional.
Here's one problem, though, with the surprising way the committee minimized its reliance on RPI — scheduling. Nothing they had done in previous years should have led an LSU to think they had to travel to bolster their NCAA chances. Their AD is probably telling Maineiri to schedule more home games (to pay for the new Alex Box), and the school presidents don't  want them traveling in midweek and missing classes.
So the committee sent — via LSU — a new message. But they did it after the fact, and that's why the LSU fans have every right to be upset.

]]> By: Bill http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69301 Bill Tue, 31 May 2011 04:02:26 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69301 I find it convenient that everyone wants to compare LSU to St Johns but how about comparing to Kansas St.  KSU finishes six in the big 12 with a 12-14 record, 44 RPI while LSU finishes 13-17 with a 22 RPI--On top of that LSU played hot down the stretch.  A sad day for the SEC when Aaron Fitt was predicting as many as 10 teams making the conference several weeks ago and they only get 7. I find it convenient that everyone wants to compare LSU to St Johns but how about comparing to Kansas St.  KSU finishes six in the big 12 with a 12-14 record, 44 RPI while LSU finishes 13-17 with a 22 RPI–On top of that LSU played hot down the stretch.  A sad day for the SEC when Aaron Fitt was predicting as many as 10 teams making the conference several weeks ago and they only get 7.

]]> By: David http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69297 David Tue, 31 May 2011 03:28:48 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69297 Accusations of an ACC bias seems to be based on emotions rather than facts. After all, if based solely on RPI, the ACC gets five national seeds, not three. Likewise, suggesting a bias in favor of Clemson over Arkansas falls flat when you observe that Clemson has a better record, a better RPI and a better SOS. Accusations of an ACC bias seems to be based on emotions rather than facts. After all, if based solely on RPI, the ACC gets five national seeds, not three.
Likewise, suggesting a bias in favor of Clemson over Arkansas falls flat when you observe that Clemson has a better record, a better RPI and a better SOS.

]]> By: JJ http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69282 JJ Tue, 31 May 2011 01:47:22 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69282 Why would LSU travel OOC when they draw 10k per game at The Box? Why go play in front of 500-1k people and lose a ton of money? That makes zero sense and shouldn't be held against them. They swept Cal State Fullerton and are penalized for the series being at the best venue in the nation? Are you serious? LSU was left out because of flat out politics. St. John's and Baylor both were chosen over them because they had members on the board representing them. Why would LSU travel OOC when they draw 10k per game at The Box? Why go play in front of 500-1k people and lose a ton of money? That makes zero sense and shouldn't be held against them. They swept Cal State Fullerton and are penalized for the series being at the best venue in the nation? Are you serious? LSU was left out because of flat out politics. St. John's and Baylor both were chosen over them because they had members on the board representing them.

]]> By: seeingidawg http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69281 seeingidawg Tue, 31 May 2011 01:38:39 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69281 Georgia getting send to Oregon State is Bull. Glad we are in tournament .. ACC getting five host sites We Should have been in one of them. Georgia getting send to Oregon State is Bull. Glad we are in tournament .. ACC getting five host sites We Should have been in one of them.

]]> By: james http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69275 james Tue, 31 May 2011 01:22:17 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69275 Many teams from "non-power" conferences and occasionally teams from "power-conferences" play teams mid-week from the top 40. None of those teams throws their 1-2 or 3 starter during those mid-week games. Maybe sometimes you get a whole staff day on a wednesday, but most of the time it's the 4 or 5 starter and yes, maybe the top relievers. It's hard to count those midweek games that are lost against someones RPI or Regional Berth Standing when it comes down to pretty much offense (because most of the starting position players will play mid-week), and a huge program that has depth in pitching. Say a Top Program like Arizona State or Florida has a #4-5 starter as good as their #2-3. You can't expect a Mid-Level Div 1 to compete with that during the mid-week. But on the weekend, after it has warmed up, and the northern teams have also gotten seasoned, those first few days on a Friday and Saturday can be up for grabs if a mid-level D1 plays a Top 40... And in the post-season, the first two games are crucial, keeping it even.....But then, advantage Big Powerhouses because of the depth in pitching. Many teams from "non-power" conferences and occasionally teams from "power-conferences" play teams mid-week from the top 40. None of those teams throws their 1-2 or 3 starter during those mid-week games. Maybe sometimes you get a whole staff day on a wednesday, but most of the time it's the 4 or 5 starter and yes, maybe the top relievers. It's hard to count those midweek games that are lost against someones RPI or Regional Berth Standing when it comes down to pretty much offense (because most of the starting position players will play mid-week), and a huge program that has depth in pitching. Say a Top Program like Arizona State or Florida has a #4-5 starter as good as their #2-3. You can't expect a Mid-Level Div 1 to compete with that during the mid-week. But on the weekend, after it has warmed up, and the northern teams have also gotten seasoned, those first few days on a Friday and Saturday can be up for grabs if a mid-level D1 plays a Top 40… And in the post-season, the first two games are crucial, keeping it even…..But then, advantage Big Powerhouses because of the depth in pitching.

]]> By: Josh D http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69265 Josh D Tue, 31 May 2011 00:19:55 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69265 I count 4 regionals (UNC, Clemson, South Carolina and GT) with in a 3 hour drive of Charlotte NC and yet the 49ers get shipped out West.  You think they would have at least kept Charlotte in the same time zone. I count 4 regionals (UNC, Clemson, South Carolina and GT) with in a 3 hour drive of Charlotte NC and yet the 49ers get shipped out West.  You think they would have at least kept Charlotte in the same time zone.

]]> By: Alex http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69264 Alex Tue, 31 May 2011 00:18:29 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69264 P.S. And LSU was 4-11 in conference play on the road, only winning 2-1 at Miss. St. to close the season out. Otherwise, went 1-2 at Georgia and 'Bama and 0-3 at Vandy and Arkansas. P.S. And LSU was 4-11 in conference play on the road, only winning 2-1 at Miss. St. to close the season out. Otherwise, went 1-2 at Georgia and 'Bama and 0-3 at Vandy and Arkansas.

]]> By: Alex http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69263 Alex Tue, 31 May 2011 00:16:43 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69263 Guys, love the above analysis but it seems like the committee is being transparent about one factor the article doesn't mention: performance on the road. Committee chair explicitly said they didn't know how to evaluate LSU because they didn't play nonconference opponents outside their stadium (Wake, Fullerton, etc. had to go to LSU.) They barely played on the road except conference play. Similarly, Arkansas was 11-11 on the road (3-1 v. SDSU, 3-0 midweek, and 5-10 v. SEC losing all series 1-2 to 'Bama, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky!!). If you don't play well on the road, you don't earn the right to play at home (or in the tourney where you'd play on the road). Ultimately, you gotta win on the ROAD as well as in your conference... Guys, love the above analysis but it seems like the committee is being transparent about one factor the article doesn't mention: performance on the road.

Committee chair explicitly said they didn't know how to evaluate LSU because they didn't play nonconference opponents outside their stadium (Wake, Fullerton, etc. had to go to LSU.) They barely played on the road except conference play.

Similarly, Arkansas was 11-11 on the road (3-1 v. SDSU, 3-0 midweek, and 5-10 v. SEC losing all series 1-2 to 'Bama, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky!!).

If you don't play well on the road, you don't earn the right to play at home (or in the tourney where you'd play on the road).
Ultimately, you gotta win on the ROAD as well as in your conference…

]]> By: Erik http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69261 Erik Tue, 31 May 2011 00:15:27 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69261 Creighton is 44-14, and was considered a bubble team if they hadn't won the MVC tournament. Their first-round opponent, Georgia, is 31-30, requiring a couple wins in the conference tournament to be eligible for the tournament. Being in a tough conference where a team like Georgia can make the NCAA tournament has its tradeoffs, like this year's LSU team having a solid resume, but not getting the nod since they didn't finish well in their conference. Although it's a tough decision for sure, LSU's coach admitted himself that they left the decision up to people. Sure, they can't control how good their conference and weather is. But St. Johns can't control how bad their conference and weather is, either. I'm probably biased since I'm a mid-major fan, but I'd much rather the tough selection decisions be made based on what teams can control. Creighton is 44-14, and was considered a bubble team if they hadn't won the MVC tournament. Their first-round opponent, Georgia, is 31-30, requiring a couple wins in the conference tournament to be eligible for the tournament. Being in a tough conference where a team like Georgia can make the NCAA tournament has its tradeoffs, like this year's LSU team having a solid resume, but not getting the nod since they didn't finish well in their conference. Although it's a tough decision for sure, LSU's coach admitted himself that they left the decision up to people. Sure, they can't control how good their conference and weather is. But St. Johns can't control how bad their conference and weather is, either. I'm probably biased since I'm a mid-major fan, but I'd much rather the tough selection decisions be made based on what teams can control.

]]> By: GB http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69258 GB Mon, 30 May 2011 23:46:24 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69258 .....A&M didn't have a tougher "in-conference" record either!!!  They played exactly the same teams!!!!!!!!!!!! …..A&M didn't have a tougher "in-conference" record either!!!  They played exactly the same teams!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: GB http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69256 GB Mon, 30 May 2011 23:43:56 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69256 Seastrunk doesn't know what he's talking about!  Texas A&M didn't have a better conference record than Texas - they had the same conference record as Texas.  I think it's absurd that someone would claim that A&M should get the nod over Texas when they ended the season with the same conference record and Texas won the head to head 2 to 3.  It doesn't matter that 2 were in Austin - one of the games Texas won was in College Station!!!!  Know what you're talking about before you post!  What does "bout even" mean anyway???  So, Texas needed to beat A&M by more than how many runs for it to be a deserving series victory????  I remind you that the one game the Ags did win over Texas was only by 3 runs and all 3 came in the top of the 9th!!!!!  It was a deserved victory, just like the 2 games that Texas won over A&M by 2 runs each!!!!  Be a man and realize you lost your series this year with Texas (with Stilson on the mound - albeit injured I get) and you lost your series with Rice.  You dropped several key midweek games including a game against TCU and a few "also-rans"!!!  Texas deserved the national 8 seed over A&M by a slim margin if they deserved it at all - bottom line!!  If you're going to state otherwise, make sure you know what you're talking about so that your post makes sense...........and next time you post........remind of what "bout even" means.....if they were "bout even", then why even play the games!!! Seastrunk doesn't know what he's talking about!  Texas A&M didn't have a better conference record than Texas – they had the same conference record as Texas.  I think it's absurd that someone would claim that A&M should get the nod over Texas when they ended the season with the same conference record and Texas won the head to head 2 to 3.  It doesn't matter that 2 were in Austin – one of the games Texas won was in College Station!!!!  Know what you're talking about before you post!  What does "bout even" mean anyway???  So, Texas needed to beat A&M by more than how many runs for it to be a deserving series victory????  I remind you that the one game the Ags did win over Texas was only by 3 runs and all 3 came in the top of the 9th!!!!!  It was a deserved victory, just like the 2 games that Texas won over A&M by 2 runs each!!!!  Be a man and realize you lost your series this year with Texas (with Stilson on the mound – albeit injured I get) and you lost your series with Rice.  You dropped several key midweek games including a game against TCU and a few "also-rans"!!!  Texas deserved the national 8 seed over A&M by a slim margin if they deserved it at all – bottom line!!  If you're going to state otherwise, make sure you know what you're talking about so that your post makes sense………..and next time you post……..remind of what "bout even" means…..if they were "bout even", then why even play the games!!!

]]> By: tj falgout http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/2011/05/aaron-fitts-quick-64-team-reaction/comment-page-1/#comment-69248 tj falgout Mon, 30 May 2011 23:07:02 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4598#comment-69248 Its very funny how teams in the SEC get the shaft. I guess its because we have the best fans in the nation. LSU is a better team than half the field. Arkansas draws 9000 a night and doesnt get a regional. UCLA ballpark is a joke. I think the ballpark should play a part choosing a regional. Politics have alot to do with these selections. St. Johns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its very funny how teams in the SEC get the shaft. I guess its because we have the best fans in the nation. LSU is a better team than half the field. Arkansas draws 9000 a night and doesnt get a regional. UCLA ballpark is a joke. I think the ballpark should play a part choosing a regional. Politics have alot to do with these selections. St. Johns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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