Picked 2nd

[shock10]

:posterwsu:

[pogo]

I see that the new power of the mo valley is picked 6th this year. That new facility (how many years old is it now) did alot for that program.

[ShockerFever]

You think ol' Gene voted them 8th?

I know Illinois State returns a decent amount, but we beat em head to head, finished ahead of them, and they fluked out and won the Championship game against us.

This is a pretty big slight, considering WSU is in some Top 25's. Does that make Illinois State Top 20?

Bulletin Board material. Nuff said.

[shocker3]

We get Illinois St at Wichita this year. This should make that series a lot more interesting.

[KC Shox]

Good. I hope this lights a fire in their arse and kick the crap out of Ill St and everyone else. No pressure.

[JohnnieBallgame]

Every team has to "prove" themselves every year! I too am bullish on this team. I think the early commitments are good, there is the pride factor of more "local" players, and possibly the ability to "redshirt" a couple of guys with lots of potential due to lots of returning experience.

Many of the local kids are here because of pride, it's where they want to be, not because it was their best offer. My guess is that the arrow is pointed up again on this program! :clap:

[1972Shocker]

No doubt Gene is perfectly happy that his guys aren't favored to win the conference.

But as others have said we have a lot to prove.

I'm interested in seeing how the college game will be impacted by the new bats and how our guys adjust to that. We haven't been the greatest at playing small ball although we generally have a good running game. Bunting, advancing runners, stealing bases, clutch two-out hitting may all prove to be important.

As always the key will be pitching, pitching and pitching. I don't see us being able to outslug opponents in most cases.