NCAA Softball Selection -- Does the committee love the B1G?

[trojansc]

Jun 10, 2021 18:06:18 GMT -5 mikegarrison said:

Jun 10, 2021 16:22:08 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Oklahoma defeated Florida State 5-1 behind another strong pitching performance from Juarez and another home run from Alo to win the title.

I don't know whether to dislike this because "Oklahoma", or whether to like this because it means the Huskies got knocked out by the champions, thus lessening the "didn't even make it to the WCWS" sting.

Friggin Oklahoma. Multiple teams had their chances to knock them out with leads or at worst tied in late innings... and didn't. Reminds me of 2017 Oklahoma that went all the way. They lost to North Dakota State, then were down 5-3 in extra innings to Tulsa in the Regionals in a must-win game for them, they ended up winning, forced the if-necessary, and went on to win it all.

[bbg95]

Jun 10, 2021 18:57:49 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Jun 10, 2021 18:06:18 GMT -5 mikegarrison said:

I don't know whether to dislike this because "Oklahoma", or whether to like this because it means the Huskies got knocked out by the champions, thus lessening the "didn't even make it to the WCWS" sting.

Friggin Oklahoma. Multiple teams had their chances to knock them out with leads or at worst tied in late innings... and didn't. Reminds me of 2017 Oklahoma that went all the way. They lost to North Dakota State, then were down 5-3 in extra innings to Tulsa in the Regionals in a must-win game for them, they ended up winning, forced the if-necessary, and went on to win it all.

You have to give the Sooners credit. They had to win four elimination games in a row and then two more. Their offense lived up to the hype, and G Juarez definitely deserved to win Most Outstanding Player. It got to the point where I was confused when they had anyone else pitching.

[trojansc]

Jun 10, 2021 19:03:21 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Jun 10, 2021 18:57:49 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Friggin Oklahoma. Multiple teams had their chances to knock them out with leads or at worst tied in late innings... and didn't. Reminds me of 2017 Oklahoma that went all the way. They lost to North Dakota State, then were down 5-3 in extra innings to Tulsa in the Regionals in a must-win game for them, they ended up winning, forced the if-necessary, and went on to win it all.

You have to give the Sooners credit. They had to win four elimination games in a row and then two more. Their offense lived up to the hype, and G Juarez definitely deserved to win Most Outstanding Player. It got to the point where I was confused when they had anyone else pitching.

All the credit to them. That's why I wanted them to lose (and why I wanted UCLA to win that elimination game, especially). I just had a feeling if they could get past that, the title was theirs. They were the clear best team. I don't think Florida State could have done much more. The fact that they were 6 outs away from a National Title this year is kind of incredible.

[trojansc]

The rich get richer. Ew.

Hope Trautwein was one of my favorite players - she played for the North Texas Mean Green. After missing the NCAA Tournament each year (despite being C-USA favorites this year) she entered the portal. I was hoping she would get picked up by one of the top teams and she could really make some noise. There's a few doubters that she won't be as good, but it seems like that may be quieted down now. She did strikeout all 21 batters in a perfect game this year (though it was against UA-Pine Bluff).

Anyways, she gets scooped up by........ Oklahoma.
Yuck. The one place I didn't want her to go.

In other news, Keely Rochard has confirmed she will return to Virginia Tech.

There are rumors floating around that Megan Faraimo will transfer from UCLA - but these are unsubstantiated so far.

[bbg95]

Jun 22, 2021 20:17:34 GMT -5 trojansc said:

The rich get richer. Ew.

Hope Trautwein was one of my favorite players - she played for the North Texas Mean Green. After missing the NCAA Tournament each year (despite being C-USA favorites this year) she entered the portal. I was hoping she would get picked up by one of the top teams and she could really make some noise. There's a few doubters that she won't be as good, but it seems like that may be quieted down now. She did strikeout all 21 batters in a perfect game this year (though it was against UA-Pine Bluff).

Anyways, she gets scooped up by........ Oklahoma.
Yuck. The one place I didn't want her to go.

In other news, Keely Rochard has confirmed she will return to Virginia Tech.

There are rumors floating around that Megan Faraimo will transfer from UCLA - but these are unsubstantiated so far.

Out of curiosity, what do you think of the new Big 12 as a softball conference with the additions of BYU, Houston, UCF and Cincinnati and minus Texas and Oklahoma? I looked at the last 10 tournaments, starting in 2011, and it seems like the Big 12 was pretty consistently getting four teams per year, with OU and UT always making it. Oklahoma State and Baylor were both successful, with three WCWS appearances each and 15 total tournament appearances. The rest of the conference had a combined six appearances between Texas Tech, Kansas and Iowa State. As for the new schools, BYU went to all 10 tournaments, and Houston made six appearances, including one berth in a super regional (BYU has one also, but it was in 2010). UCF made five appearances. This seems like the move would be good for BYU softball, as the WCC is a one-bid league, and it seems like the new Big 12 would be a three-bid league. Would you agree?

[trojansc]

Sept 4, 2021 1:03:56 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Out of curiosity, what do you think of the new Big 12 as a softball conference with the additions of BYU, Houston, UCF and Cincinnati and minus Texas and Oklahoma? I looked at the last 10 tournaments, starting in 2011, and it seems like the Big 12 was pretty consistently getting four teams per year, with OU and UT always making it. Oklahoma State and Baylor were both successful, with three WCWS appearances each and 15 total tournament appearances. The rest of the conference had a combined six appearances between Texas Tech, Kansas and Iowa State. As for the new schools, BYU went to all 10 tournaments, and Houston made six appearances, including one berth in a super regional (BYU has one also, but it was in 2010). UCF made five appearances. This seems like the move would be good for BYU softball, as the WCC is a one-bid league, and it seems like the new Big 12 would be a three-bid league. Would you agree?

I am a big fan of Texas Tech's new coach. She brought some of LMU's better players with her to Tech and she was pretty successful. Tech was not good her first season, but, if you research some drama about Tech, you will understand what kind of a dumpster fire she was coming into. And, being #2 to BYU at a school like LMU with much less to recruit to and $$$ constraints is no shame. They were oh so close, three times in her last 4 seasons to making the tournament since a long drought, but BYU was the difference maker.

Anyway, I think the Big 12 as a whole will be fine. UCF is a great addition - lots of softball talent in Florida and Florida universities are pretty cheap. BYU is a softball powerhouse. As an LMU fan, I'm literally thrilled at the idea of BYU leaving the WCC. I usually like *Strength* in conferences, but in this case, I want them back in the tournament. I also dislike how BYU gets disrespected in the softball world for playing in the WCC, so it's a win-win really. BYU schedules powerhouses in the non-conference and they are a fringe Top 25 team most years.

Houston has had softball success recently. Overall, losing Oklahoma and Texas is huge, but, the additions are good. The league will be well rounded. I think the new Big 12 could be a five-bid or even more! league. I have high aspirations for BYU, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and UCF particularly. I *want* Tech to be good ASAP, but I could be biased, so, we'll have to wait. Iowa State and Houston could also be tournament teams. I am very interested to see this softball conference. Doormats are never a bad thing in a P5 conference, so, Kansas it shall be. :-)     

[bbg95]

Sept 4, 2021 15:45:05 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Sept 4, 2021 1:03:56 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Out of curiosity, what do you think of the new Big 12 as a softball conference with the additions of BYU, Houston, UCF and Cincinnati and minus Texas and Oklahoma? I looked at the last 10 tournaments, starting in 2011, and it seems like the Big 12 was pretty consistently getting four teams per year, with OU and UT always making it. Oklahoma State and Baylor were both successful, with three WCWS appearances each and 15 total tournament appearances. The rest of the conference had a combined six appearances between Texas Tech, Kansas and Iowa State. As for the new schools, BYU went to all 10 tournaments, and Houston made six appearances, including one berth in a super regional (BYU has one also, but it was in 2010). UCF made five appearances. This seems like the move would be good for BYU softball, as the WCC is a one-bid league, and it seems like the new Big 12 would be a three-bid league. Would you agree?

I am a big fan of Texas Tech's new coach. She brought some of LMU's better players with her to Tech and she was pretty successful. Tech was not good her first season, but, if you research some drama about Tech, you will understand what kind of a dumpster fire she was coming into. And, being #2 to BYU at a school like LMU with much less to recruit to and $$$ constraints is no shame. They were oh so close, three times in her last 4 seasons to making the tournament since a long drought, but BYU was the difference maker.

Anyway, I think the Big 12 as a whole will be fine. UCF is a great addition - lots of softball talent in Florida and Florida universities are pretty cheap. BYU is a softball powerhouse. As an LMU fan, I'm literally thrilled at the idea of BYU leaving the WCC. I usually like *Strength* in conferences, but in this case, I want them back in the tournament. I also dislike how BYU gets disrespected in the softball world for playing in the WCC, so it's a win-win really. BYU schedules powerhouses in the non-conference and they are a fringe Top 25 team most years.

Houston has had softball success recently. Overall, losing Oklahoma and Texas is huge, but, the additions are good. The league will be well rounded. I think the new Big 12 could be a five-bid or even more! league. I have high aspirations for BYU, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and UCF particularly. I *want* Tech to be good ASAP, but I could be biased, so, we'll have to wait. Iowa State and Houston could also be tournament teams. I am very interested to see this softball conference. Doormats are never a bad thing in a P5 conference, so, Kansas it shall be. :-)     

Thanks for the breakdown. I suspected you would be happy, since BYU's departure will pave the way for LMU to dominate the WCC going forward.

Edit: I also didn't realize at first that Cincinnati doesn't have a softball program. I guess that explains why I couldn't find their tournament history.

[trojansc]

Sept 4, 2021 16:22:12 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Thanks for the breakdown. I suspected you would be happy, since BYU's departure will pave the way for LMU to dominate the WCC going forward.

BYU released their 2022 schedule.

byucougars.com/schedule/softball

This is a softer schedule (for BYU standards). I'm kind of surprised because they usually schedule tons of big names in the non-conference. And it's not like BYU doesn't have talent coming back.

Also, I realized the WCC might fold for softball, this could be the last year. BYU leaving means that only LMU, Saint Mary's, Pacific, San Diego, and Santa Clara having softball programs in the WCC. You need 6 to maintain your AQ status. There have been rumors of Cal Baptist to the WCC, but, that's not going to be done just to save the friggin' softball conference. I don't know where the remaining WCC schools would end up if they did fold.

[bbg95]

Dec 4, 2021 12:54:28 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Sept 4, 2021 16:22:12 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Thanks for the breakdown. I suspected you would be happy, since BYU's departure will pave the way for LMU to dominate the WCC going forward.

BYU released their 2022 schedule.

byucougars.com/schedule/softball

This is a softer schedule (for BYU standards). I'm kind of surprised because they usually schedule tons of big names in the non-conference. And it's not like BYU doesn't have talent coming back.

Also, I realized the WCC might fold for softball, this could be the last year. BYU leaving means that only LMU, Saint Mary's, Pacific, San Diego, and Santa Clara having softball programs in the WCC. You need 6 to maintain your AQ status. There have been rumors of Cal Baptist to the WCC, but, that's not going to be done just to save the friggin' softball conference. I don't know where the remaining WCC schools would end up if they did fold.

The more I think about it, the more I think Cal Baptist is the favorite to replace BYU, as long as Gonzaga stays put, which I think they will. Grand Canyon being for-profit is probably a nonstarter for the WCC university presidents, Gonzaga (the shot caller) has zero interest in Seattle, and Denver doesn't bring enough to the table to justify the travel costs. Granted, flying into Denver is pretty cheap, but still. BYU was a significantly more valuable addition than DU would be. So that leaves Cal Baptist, which is a good geographic fit (travel partner for San Diego) and is pretty competitive in a number of sports.