The conference tourneys are underway today. Don't expect much drama - the committee usually doesn't put much stock in the tournament outcomes. Some outliers may play their way in to the 64 by winning an automatic bid, but that'll be about it.
After making the finals last year the Gators are going to have to be lucky to be in the final 64 this year.
You made it in Bill... some could argue it wasn't deserved, but maybe being in that final last year got you just enough of a nudge. TCU is left out at RPI 40. Indiana is in??? Their AD was on the committee... No surprise they matched up A&M and texas one last time. I suspect we won't play tho... Louisiana is a formidable two seed, and Terry's Horns have to get past them to meet the Aggies. For once, I really have no complaints about our draw. Just get the bats going again and we'll be OK. Everyone expected Indiana St to host, and their very high RPI seemed to back that up. Snubbed. UNC got the short stick and drew the red hot Coon-butts from Baton Rouge. Virginia got Miss St who is also playing very well right now. Rick's Cats not only get in, they are hosting. Arizona got Dallas Baptist as their two which is not a happy draw for anyone. Bama is a two seed in Tallahasee. Not an easy draw for the Noles. Nebraska ends up with Florida in the "Regional of death"... some tough games there.
Well we did make it as I believe the 64th team. We play Nebraska tomorrow and looks like we will be the underdog.
Here's a funny quote from a Gator fan on GatorCountry. "Whew, it's not Tommie Frazier pitching. We have a chance!"
It's the start of the real post season, so I wanted to wish good luck to all the Skybox teams (until you face the Aggies, then TOO BAD!) and hope for good weather. College Station will be off and on this weekend from the looks of the forecast.
As strong as Texas and OU softball programs added to an already strong SEC, it's going to be like MLB for softball.
Arizona was picked to finish 9th in the conference before the season and ended up winning both the regular season and conference tournament titles, so we were chosen to host despite our RPI. We have a streaky team and feared we would be the #2 seed in the Santa Barbara regional. Instead, we're hosting and our first two games will be against teams (Dallas Baptist and Grand Canyon) we're a combined 1-3 against this season . We lost a Friday game to DBU and went 1-2 against GCU in weekday (bullpen) games. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. I'm watching DBU against West Virginia and WVU is leading 4-0 through 6. DBU ran themselves out of the only inning they had a real scoring chance in, but limited WVU to only one run in the top of this inning with some nice glovework. Good luck everyone.
Jerry Colangelo, the former owner of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks who was also instrumental in moving the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix to become the Coyotes, has become very involved with GCU over the past several years. So involved, in fact, they've named their College of Business after him.
Some interesting happenings so far: Coastal who was thought to be limping into the tourney this year lights up Vandy 13-3. Kentucky escapes Western Mich 10-8. Indiana hammers Southern Miss 10-4. Evansville beats ECU 4-1. UConn takes out Duke 4-1. Hmmm...
Oh boy things are getting real spicy! Wake Forest lost to VCU 1-0! St John's and Miss St tied at 2 in the 9th. Bama is down to UCF 8-7 in the 9th. and... UNC doesn't lose... they just didnt update the score when it showed final. They pull out the win 11-8.
Last night was a lesson in regional strategy. Louisiana took a chance and didn't throw their Friday starter against the Horns in hopes to use him against the Aggies. But... ya gotta win that first game for that to pay off. OOPS. Now they're in the loser's side, and in a world of hurt. Ags vs Horns tonight at 8 central.
Well at least Texas played, Gators were down 10-0 and I am sure got run ruled. Texas has a great chance.