[Husker] Possible Regional?

[jschlechte at usfamily.net]

> >         I mentioned the other day I was listening to Omaha's ESPN
> > while driving home from Eppley.  They were discussing the Husker
> > situation and what chances they had.  If I heard correctly the panel
> > that chooses and seeds teams for regionals is only supposed to look
at
> > wins and losses.  Things like power ratings and strength of schedule
> > are not to be considered.  

Wins and losses are definitely a factor, but certainly not the only
factor.  Thirty wins has been a "magic" number for at-large bids, but
that still isn't definitive.  The baseball RPI plays a big role.
Conference strength is a factor.  I think the SEC has had 9 teams make
the tournament, maybe even more than once.

With all that being said, I think that Nebraska is in the tournament
unless they go 0-3 in the Big 12 tourney (they are seeded 4th so they
get to play Texas, Texas A&M and Kansas State).  That would put them at
14-16 in conference play, which in itself is not a huge deal, but with
Nebraska's non-conference record being 15-10 and a final record only 3
games over .500, it would be questionable.  

Before the series against Kansas, Boyd's World has Nebraska as a #3
seed.  That's where he put them back in '04 when they finished 11-16 in
the Big 12 with a 36-23 overall record.  The non-conference schedule
wasn't as tough that year and they got snubbed.  They have a better
conference record and finish this year.  But looking back over the last
several years, they haven't had that high of a team ERA (4.43) this
decade.  2001 was close with 4.41, but the offense was A LOT better that
year.

- jay




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