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The Shocks probably played themselves to #3 seed last week. 2-3 with embarrassing losses to Central Arkansas (RPI 168) and Evansville (RPI 271) and a virtual no-show vs. AZ State. WSU's RPI rank is now down to #39, with a 3-game dragger left vs. Bradley (#195) looming.
Playing strictly by the numbers, a #3 seed is a real possibliity now.
The optimists on the board keep saying stuff like, "If the Shocks win-out there's hope..." Blah-blah-blah. Shoot, the Shox last 4-game winning streak ended on April 2, some six weeks ago. Yes, at that point the Shox were 22-3, but it was largely against chopped liver and virtually all at home. Record since then: 16-11. How folks expect them to miraculously go on a long winning streak befuddles even me.
Some in the silver-lining crowd have pronounced that the Shox weren't much better last year and still hosted, but they're WRONG about that. Last year's team had wins over Pepperdine, LBSU (2), CSFU and Creighton (5-8 vs. ranked teams before the NCAA tournament), plus 4 series sweeps in MVC play. This year, there have been only 2 MVC series sweeps and 0 wins vs ranked teams. Last year, the Shox RPI rank was 21 on 5/08, this year on 5/12 they're sitting at #39 - HUGE difference. On 5/29/08 after the MVC tournament, the Shox RPI rank was 22. It won't be anywhere near there this year because of the 3 remaining games vs. Bradley and the overall weakness of the conference this season (conference RPI 14). I expect a final RPI rank around 45.
I wish it wasn't so, but the numbers don't lie. If it gets much worse, and if the Shox do not win the MVC tournament, they could be on the outside looking in this year when the NCAA tournament starts. The at-large field goes 34 deep, so a mid-40's RPI with a poor finish could be deadly.
The starting pitching is there and the relief pitching is (usually) serviceable, but the rash of poor offense and poor defense has killed this team's chances.
I posted this because I'm frustrated. There are some great guys on this team who deserve better, but the depth and consistency of the team as a whole have not materialized this year. That is all.
--'85.
Playing strictly by the numbers, a #3 seed is a real possibliity now.
The optimists on the board keep saying stuff like, "If the Shocks win-out there's hope..." Blah-blah-blah. Shoot, the Shox last 4-game winning streak ended on April 2, some six weeks ago. Yes, at that point the Shox were 22-3, but it was largely against chopped liver and virtually all at home. Record since then: 16-11. How folks expect them to miraculously go on a long winning streak befuddles even me.
Some in the silver-lining crowd have pronounced that the Shox weren't much better last year and still hosted, but they're WRONG about that. Last year's team had wins over Pepperdine, LBSU (2), CSFU and Creighton (5-8 vs. ranked teams before the NCAA tournament), plus 4 series sweeps in MVC play. This year, there have been only 2 MVC series sweeps and 0 wins vs ranked teams. Last year, the Shox RPI rank was 21 on 5/08, this year on 5/12 they're sitting at #39 - HUGE difference. On 5/29/08 after the MVC tournament, the Shox RPI rank was 22. It won't be anywhere near there this year because of the 3 remaining games vs. Bradley and the overall weakness of the conference this season (conference RPI 14). I expect a final RPI rank around 45.
I wish it wasn't so, but the numbers don't lie. If it gets much worse, and if the Shox do not win the MVC tournament, they could be on the outside looking in this year when the NCAA tournament starts. The at-large field goes 34 deep, so a mid-40's RPI with a poor finish could be deadly.
The starting pitching is there and the relief pitching is (usually) serviceable, but the rash of poor offense and poor defense has killed this team's chances.
I posted this because I'm frustrated. There are some great guys on this team who deserve better, but the depth and consistency of the team as a whole have not materialized this year. That is all.
--'85.
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