The University of Iowa Baseball program is offering several Winter Camp options beginning December 27th. You are encouraged to visit www.hawkeyebaseballcamps.com to view the information about the Hawkeye 2008 Winter Baseball Camps.
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There are many better places to spend your dough.
Unless you want to play baseball on the frozen tundra.
The big advantage to going to a college camp is that they can make an offer and talk turkey while your on campus.
But if your good enough to get noticed make sure you attend the camp @ the school you want to attend.
Unless you want to play baseball on the frozen tundra.
The big advantage to going to a college camp is that they can make an offer and talk turkey while your on campus.
But if your good enough to get noticed make sure you attend the camp @ the school you want to attend.
From what i have heard , Iowa coaches have said they are out of scholly $$$ for the 09 class .
The head coach leaves a whole lot to be desired.
Having known some of his ex-players, (guys with charachter and class)playing for him might just ruin the college experience.
Having known some of his ex-players, (guys with charachter and class)playing for him might just ruin the college experience.
What's wrong with the head coach?
soxHOLE, just worry about the convicts at your school. not many CHARCHTER guys seem to be going there............. 
Ooooo, we haven't had a good dustup on this site since the last PBR ratings came out!
Lord, please let Spring Training come soon!!!!!
Lord, please let Spring Training come soon!!!!!
quote:The head coach leaves a whole lot to be desired.
Having known some of his ex-players, (guys with charachter and class)playing for him might just ruin the college experience.
soxnole – Is your statement based on information just from former players and what do you mean by a whole lot to be desired?
Not trying to start an argument or defend anyone, Just for future reference as son will be going through the recruiting process next year.
Nole,
You wake up on the wrong side of the bed.? You know as well as I do that not all kids are fits where they end up. I happen to know a half dozen guys there that I had and they all love it!!
Sometimes things depend on situations....
Somethings like if they are finding the field or not. Dont know that situation but I do know there are some happy campers there too..
You wake up on the wrong side of the bed.? You know as well as I do that not all kids are fits where they end up. I happen to know a half dozen guys there that I had and they all love it!!
Sometimes things depend on situations....
Somethings like if they are finding the field or not. Dont know that situation but I do know there are some happy campers there too..
.
Happy indeed!
Happy indeed!
Sparky1,
This coach has a history of not helping, or even caring about his players.
He has a history of creating turmoil amongst team members.
He has an extreme concept of "throwing hard all the time" which has worn down pitching staffs and hurt nationally prominent prospects.
These players I speak of are "gamer" types with a good attitude and excellent academic record.
It is not 1 player or 1 incident but several that I speak of.
He has ostracized some of these players to the detriment of the team.
He has little or no time for parents. I speak of knowledgable, baseball literate parents as well as others. These parents I have gathered info from were never "problem parents" prior to or during their sons time with the coach.
My information is rock solid and comes prior to his stint at Iowa.
Now maybe all of your former players have experienced a different guy at Iowa. People can change.
After double checking my sources, it is their opinion that this particular tiger would be unlikely to change his stripes.
There is much more to the story and I'm only trying to advise people like RRF8 & CSG that a very close look at his program and former players would be an excellent idea.
I have absolutely no reason to bring this up other than to advise parents and players that they should proceed with caution and do their homework because it's their sons future that stands in the balance.
This coach has a history of not helping, or even caring about his players.
He has a history of creating turmoil amongst team members.
He has an extreme concept of "throwing hard all the time" which has worn down pitching staffs and hurt nationally prominent prospects.
These players I speak of are "gamer" types with a good attitude and excellent academic record.
It is not 1 player or 1 incident but several that I speak of.
He has ostracized some of these players to the detriment of the team.
He has little or no time for parents. I speak of knowledgable, baseball literate parents as well as others. These parents I have gathered info from were never "problem parents" prior to or during their sons time with the coach.
My information is rock solid and comes prior to his stint at Iowa.
Now maybe all of your former players have experienced a different guy at Iowa. People can change.
After double checking my sources, it is their opinion that this particular tiger would be unlikely to change his stripes.
There is much more to the story and I'm only trying to advise people like RRF8 & CSG that a very close look at his program and former players would be an excellent idea.
I have absolutely no reason to bring this up other than to advise parents and players that they should proceed with caution and do their homework because it's their sons future that stands in the balance.
Why did Dahm leave Creighton?
It's not like Iowa or the Big Ten is better baseball than Creighton and MVC.
It's not like Iowa or the Big Ten is better baseball than Creighton and MVC.
The answer to that question is EXACTLY the point.
I have a player at Iowa. He's had a good career there and has been very positive about Coach Dahm.
Soxnole,
I know you posted this with the idea of helping others, but I don't care for this type of posting.
1 - You are not revealing any information that you personally have experienced. Everyone knows that there are many things that can cause negative feelings about nearly everything in baseball. There is no coach anywhere that is exempt from being disliked by someone.
2 - Probably more than anyone else, we have known many players who have been at this program and who have played for Jack Dahm at both Iowa and Creighton. We would hear most things that would be considered negative because we are close to so many of those players and their families. I can't remember a single complaint!
3 - It's hard to win big at Iowa and most other Big Ten schools. The coaching staff at Iowa is very good. The head recruiter is from Illinois and he is also a guy that is highly respected and very well liked.
4 - Your opinions regarding things like this should be more private IMO. I don't think the HSBBW should be a place to rip into college programs or coaches. At least not when it comes to saying things like you have stated in this thread. If you do want to name names, who are these nationally prominent prospects that have been worn down by this throwing hard all the time theory?
Something just doesn't add up here!
I know you posted this with the idea of helping others, but I don't care for this type of posting.
1 - You are not revealing any information that you personally have experienced. Everyone knows that there are many things that can cause negative feelings about nearly everything in baseball. There is no coach anywhere that is exempt from being disliked by someone.
2 - Probably more than anyone else, we have known many players who have been at this program and who have played for Jack Dahm at both Iowa and Creighton. We would hear most things that would be considered negative because we are close to so many of those players and their families. I can't remember a single complaint!
3 - It's hard to win big at Iowa and most other Big Ten schools. The coaching staff at Iowa is very good. The head recruiter is from Illinois and he is also a guy that is highly respected and very well liked.
4 - Your opinions regarding things like this should be more private IMO. I don't think the HSBBW should be a place to rip into college programs or coaches. At least not when it comes to saying things like you have stated in this thread. If you do want to name names, who are these nationally prominent prospects that have been worn down by this throwing hard all the time theory?
Something just doesn't add up here!
PGStaff- why is it harder to win at Iowa and most Big Ten schools? Is it easier in the MVC? If so, why?
Pulled from another topic under "recruiting" in the HSBBW:
From Rivals.com
Kendall Rogers
Rivals.com College Baseball Editor
All we've heard about for the past year is how weather is the overriding factor working against Big Ten and other northern schools, but there's some new information out there that will blow your mind.
Is the Big Ten's problem really weather-related?
I'm very much for the uniform start date, as I believe it makes sense no matter what conference or region a program is in. But I am completely against the condensed schedule, which is causing more problems than coaches originally thought.
I've heard so many observers say the Big Ten schools can't compete without pushing the season back a few weeks. Most Big Ten coaches, however, will tell you that while the inclement weather early in the season is a distraction, it's just one of many factors that are bringing the conference down from a baseball standpoint.
Even the Big Ten office seems content with tearing down its baseball programs.
In a conversation last week with Indiana coach Tracy Smith, he enlightened me on a few things affecting Big Ten programs. Among other hindrances, the Big Ten hasn't assimilated into today's college baseball environment.
Per my conversation with coach Smith, there are two things to remember:
The Big Ten apparently doesn't allow its programs to oversign. For instance, if a drafted players drags out negotiations into early August, Big Ten coaches are forced to sit on that scholarship until he actually signs the dotted line. There are programs notorious for oversigning, but it's outlawed in the Big Ten.
Most Big Ten schools apparently have this rule and it also is an Indiana institutional rule that if a player shows up with 50 percent of a full scholarship, he must have that scholarship as long as he's enrolled at the university. So, if a player is a team cancer or is not living up to expectations, Indiana must sit on that scholarship. Institutionally, Smith is not allowed lower a scholarship once a student-athlete is enrolled. This practice, which Smith doesn't like to engage in, is very common at programs around the country.
First, I certainly have an issue with massive oversigning, but given the state of college baseball and the fact that you often get burned by players signing pro contracts at the last second; I don't have a huge problem with oversigning by a few players. Again, it needs to be regulated, but certainly not outlawed.
Second, I have zero problem with a coach taking away a scholarship from an undeserving player, or better yet, a player that is causing problems inside the clubhouse. However, I take issue with coaches decreasing scholarship money as a player gets older to make room for more scholarship money for new recruits. I know of some coaches that use this practice as "taking it for the team", but it is unethical and wrong. There are negatives with this rule, but the positives certainly outweigh them.
We will have much more on this issue in the coming weeks, but it seems to me the Big Ten needs to assimilate to the way the sport works elsewhere. Though some Big Ten coaches probably would like the rest of the country to adopt their rules, the likelihood of that occurring is low.
While weather holds back some Big Ten schools, conference and institutional rules probably are doing more to hurt programs.
Rivals College Baseball
Thoughts and opinions on this?
Kendall Rogers
Rivals.com/Yahoo! Sports College Baseball Editor
From Rivals.com
Kendall Rogers
Rivals.com College Baseball Editor
All we've heard about for the past year is how weather is the overriding factor working against Big Ten and other northern schools, but there's some new information out there that will blow your mind.
Is the Big Ten's problem really weather-related?
I'm very much for the uniform start date, as I believe it makes sense no matter what conference or region a program is in. But I am completely against the condensed schedule, which is causing more problems than coaches originally thought.
I've heard so many observers say the Big Ten schools can't compete without pushing the season back a few weeks. Most Big Ten coaches, however, will tell you that while the inclement weather early in the season is a distraction, it's just one of many factors that are bringing the conference down from a baseball standpoint.
Even the Big Ten office seems content with tearing down its baseball programs.
In a conversation last week with Indiana coach Tracy Smith, he enlightened me on a few things affecting Big Ten programs. Among other hindrances, the Big Ten hasn't assimilated into today's college baseball environment.
Per my conversation with coach Smith, there are two things to remember:
The Big Ten apparently doesn't allow its programs to oversign. For instance, if a drafted players drags out negotiations into early August, Big Ten coaches are forced to sit on that scholarship until he actually signs the dotted line. There are programs notorious for oversigning, but it's outlawed in the Big Ten.
Most Big Ten schools apparently have this rule and it also is an Indiana institutional rule that if a player shows up with 50 percent of a full scholarship, he must have that scholarship as long as he's enrolled at the university. So, if a player is a team cancer or is not living up to expectations, Indiana must sit on that scholarship. Institutionally, Smith is not allowed lower a scholarship once a student-athlete is enrolled. This practice, which Smith doesn't like to engage in, is very common at programs around the country.
First, I certainly have an issue with massive oversigning, but given the state of college baseball and the fact that you often get burned by players signing pro contracts at the last second; I don't have a huge problem with oversigning by a few players. Again, it needs to be regulated, but certainly not outlawed.
Second, I have zero problem with a coach taking away a scholarship from an undeserving player, or better yet, a player that is causing problems inside the clubhouse. However, I take issue with coaches decreasing scholarship money as a player gets older to make room for more scholarship money for new recruits. I know of some coaches that use this practice as "taking it for the team", but it is unethical and wrong. There are negatives with this rule, but the positives certainly outweigh them.
We will have much more on this issue in the coming weeks, but it seems to me the Big Ten needs to assimilate to the way the sport works elsewhere. Though some Big Ten coaches probably would like the rest of the country to adopt their rules, the likelihood of that occurring is low.
While weather holds back some Big Ten schools, conference and institutional rules probably are doing more to hurt programs.
Rivals College Baseball
Thoughts and opinions on this?
Kendall Rogers
Rivals.com/Yahoo! Sports College Baseball Editor
I like the fact that there are some rules that side with the kids. Ofcourse, we as parents are focusing more on the Big Ten degree, whereas my son may be looking forward more to the baseball. There are 30-31 DI conferances and in terms of RPI I believe that the MVC and Big Ten usually fall somewhere at or above the middle, with the MVC a head in the rankings one or two spots typically. The issues with the Big Ten and the RPI rankings is the fact that the Big Ten would play 4 game series where most conferances and the MVC play 3 game series. Therefore, the Big Ten always would get more losses in the calculation of their RPI. Starting this year, the Big Ten will play 3 game series and their RPI will improve.
In the next article, Rivals should ask the Indiana coach how former Ball State coach and current Michigan coach pulls it off; and why he can't get the kids he wants even with those rules he doesn't like as that shouldn't hurt him from signing the kids he wants.
"While weather holds back some Big Ten schools, conference and institutional rules probably are doing more to hurt programs."
This is wrong IMO. Changing these rules isn't going to attract the kids from the SE, SW and W part of the country to the Big Ten.
Even if he could get those rules changed, to basically fix the recruiting errors he has made; the Big Ten will never get the type and quantity of kids that the PAC 10 and SEC kids get. So if the benchmark is the PAC 10 and SEC for the Big Ten, team by team and conferance by conferance, forget it.
In the next article, Rivals should ask the Indiana coach how former Ball State coach and current Michigan coach pulls it off; and why he can't get the kids he wants even with those rules he doesn't like as that shouldn't hurt him from signing the kids he wants.
"While weather holds back some Big Ten schools, conference and institutional rules probably are doing more to hurt programs."
This is wrong IMO. Changing these rules isn't going to attract the kids from the SE, SW and W part of the country to the Big Ten.
Even if he could get those rules changed, to basically fix the recruiting errors he has made; the Big Ten will never get the type and quantity of kids that the PAC 10 and SEC kids get. So if the benchmark is the PAC 10 and SEC for the Big Ten, team by team and conferance by conferance, forget it.
Tuzigoot - excellent post.
There is a model for the Big 10 if any of the teams are SERIOUS about baseball imho. That program is Wichita State. They are almost as far North as many Big 10 schools and play in a weaker conference. They get by on the strength of their coach. Nebraska is another one that is quasi in the North. Oregon State is also arguably a Northern School although there is a different dynamic there in they play in a glamour conference. Michigan in the last few years has shown that the Big 10 can compete with any conference. Now the issue is what is Michigan going to do for an encore? Kentucky and Louisville are also in essentially the same boat. Again, Kentucky benefits greatly from their conference affiliation.
There is a model for the Big 10 if any of the teams are SERIOUS about baseball imho. That program is Wichita State. They are almost as far North as many Big 10 schools and play in a weaker conference. They get by on the strength of their coach. Nebraska is another one that is quasi in the North. Oregon State is also arguably a Northern School although there is a different dynamic there in they play in a glamour conference. Michigan in the last few years has shown that the Big 10 can compete with any conference. Now the issue is what is Michigan going to do for an encore? Kentucky and Louisville are also in essentially the same boat. Again, Kentucky benefits greatly from their conference affiliation.
This is only my opinion, but I'd bet that most Big 10 Presidents or Ad's wouldn't lose 1 minute of sleep if baseball just went away.
PG,
There is no one on this board I respect more than you.
My post was/is due to first hand knowledge of his team and several parents and players during one very long season.
Having said that, do you actually think that "throwing hard" at every practice, every pre-game infield,every pre-inning infield etc. is a good idea. To the extent of ripping a player out of a game? How about singling your best player out in front of the team because he asked you privately to ease off due to a very sore arm? How about telling the player that he doesn't give a $%&*@ if the Team Doctor told him to sit out for two weeks? How about breaking promises regarding scholly amounts with a guy that led the country in homers at his position and a guy that led the team in hitting (2 different guys)? How about throwing a guy (starter, big hitter)off the team for stealing 2nd on his own and making his parents drive him back to Omaha from Bloomington!?
Do you think that a pitcher or any other player for that matter should be made to adhere to a "top step team" policy of NEVER sitting down between innings? For instance, it's 95 degrees in the 7th inning and a future 10th rounder gets screamed at because he thought he deserved a little rest before venturing out to throw his 90th pitch?
Do you think a mass exodus (to other schools) of the middle of your lineup is an indication of team togetherness?
I know that you may be able to figure out who these players are but I can't name them. I can only say that it's true and that there were no incidents of bad behavior on or off the field by any of the players I'm talking about.
For the record,if I have ever heard of any other coach acting in this manner, I'd feel the same and post accordingly.
The stories are sundry, not singular. People can change and maybe the coach had personal issues at Creighton but parents and players have a right to know about a coach that has acted this way in the past.
There is no one on this board I respect more than you.
My post was/is due to first hand knowledge of his team and several parents and players during one very long season.
Having said that, do you actually think that "throwing hard" at every practice, every pre-game infield,every pre-inning infield etc. is a good idea. To the extent of ripping a player out of a game? How about singling your best player out in front of the team because he asked you privately to ease off due to a very sore arm? How about telling the player that he doesn't give a $%&*@ if the Team Doctor told him to sit out for two weeks? How about breaking promises regarding scholly amounts with a guy that led the country in homers at his position and a guy that led the team in hitting (2 different guys)? How about throwing a guy (starter, big hitter)off the team for stealing 2nd on his own and making his parents drive him back to Omaha from Bloomington!?
Do you think that a pitcher or any other player for that matter should be made to adhere to a "top step team" policy of NEVER sitting down between innings? For instance, it's 95 degrees in the 7th inning and a future 10th rounder gets screamed at because he thought he deserved a little rest before venturing out to throw his 90th pitch?
Do you think a mass exodus (to other schools) of the middle of your lineup is an indication of team togetherness?
I know that you may be able to figure out who these players are but I can't name them. I can only say that it's true and that there were no incidents of bad behavior on or off the field by any of the players I'm talking about.
For the record,if I have ever heard of any other coach acting in this manner, I'd feel the same and post accordingly.
The stories are sundry, not singular. People can change and maybe the coach had personal issues at Creighton but parents and players have a right to know about a coach that has acted this way in the past.
Soxnole, please check your PM.
Soxnole,
The problem I have is that we should hear the other side regarding all those issues.
First of all it's not any easier at most MVC schools, with the exception of Wichita State, either.
People only need to check and see where the majority of the very best baseball players from their state end up playing in college. In the south and the West, the best players in those states stay there. In the north, typically the very best players go to southern or western schools or the very top/winning programs if they stay in the North. Some of those programs have been mentioned in this thread.
Using Iowa for example... We (Perfect Game) get along great with those coaches. At the same time we are a thorn in their side when it comes to getting the best players. The very best players in Iowa seldom attend the U of Iowa because everyone in the country now knows who they are. In fact, since Jack Dahm has been there that has changed slightly where they actually do get a few from in state. Most still leave the state!
Examples... Over the past 10 years, here are what most would consider some of the top high school prospects from the state of Iowa. Some were drafted and signed out of hs, but here are the colleges they commited to or attended.
Ryan Sweeney - San Diego State
Jeff Clement - Southern Cal
Jeremy Hellickson - LSU
Jon Gilmore - Wichita State
Brad Nelson - Nebraska
Zach VonTersch - Georgia Tech
Matt Macri - Notre Dame
Zach Schrieber - Duke
Zach Dillon - Baylor
Darin Naatjes - Stanford
BJ Hermsen - Oregon State
Brett Martinez - TCU
Brent Warren - Oregon State
It's hard to compete at a national level if you can't get the top guys within your own state. Not many from the south or West coming into the Big Ten!Michigan actually did keep their top player a few years ago and it made a huge difference. Zach Putnam! It can be done, it's just tougher in the Big Ten and other northern schools.
The problem I have is that we should hear the other side regarding all those issues.
quote:posted by RRF8... PGStaff- why is it harder to win at Iowa and most Big Ten schools? Is it easier in the MVC? If so, why?
First of all it's not any easier at most MVC schools, with the exception of Wichita State, either.
People only need to check and see where the majority of the very best baseball players from their state end up playing in college. In the south and the West, the best players in those states stay there. In the north, typically the very best players go to southern or western schools or the very top/winning programs if they stay in the North. Some of those programs have been mentioned in this thread.
Using Iowa for example... We (Perfect Game) get along great with those coaches. At the same time we are a thorn in their side when it comes to getting the best players. The very best players in Iowa seldom attend the U of Iowa because everyone in the country now knows who they are. In fact, since Jack Dahm has been there that has changed slightly where they actually do get a few from in state. Most still leave the state!
Examples... Over the past 10 years, here are what most would consider some of the top high school prospects from the state of Iowa. Some were drafted and signed out of hs, but here are the colleges they commited to or attended.
Ryan Sweeney - San Diego State
Jeff Clement - Southern Cal
Jeremy Hellickson - LSU
Jon Gilmore - Wichita State
Brad Nelson - Nebraska
Zach VonTersch - Georgia Tech
Matt Macri - Notre Dame
Zach Schrieber - Duke
Zach Dillon - Baylor
Darin Naatjes - Stanford
BJ Hermsen - Oregon State
Brett Martinez - TCU
Brent Warren - Oregon State
It's hard to compete at a national level if you can't get the top guys within your own state. Not many from the south or West coming into the Big Ten!Michigan actually did keep their top player a few years ago and it made a huge difference. Zach Putnam! It can be done, it's just tougher in the Big Ten and other northern schools.
I think you can sum up the entire problem Northern schools have with recruiting - Very, very, very few good players want to come from warm climates to play in this great weather we have here. That my friends, is never ever going to change.
quote:Originally posted by nc42dad:
I think you can sum up the entire problem Northern schools have with recruiting - Very, very, very few good players want to come from warm climates to play in this great weather we have here. That my friends, is never ever going to change.
That is a problem but not an insurmountable problem imho. Perhaps the Coach Stephenson's are one in a million out there but if a program can find a guy like that and pay to keep them, then they can develop the tradition necessary to attract players.
Another northern school that seems to be succeeding is St. Johns. They had a pretty high draft choice in Scott Barnes last year and they seem to be an annual participant in the NCAA tournament. I saw them up close in personal in a regional two years ago and it was one of the more hard-nosed teams I have ever seen. They back down from no one. Sometimes it takes a certain philosophy and an ability to find players who fit a style of ball and build the program from there. As more success is achieved, better players can be attracted. In the case of a northern school, that probably means keeping a top in state player from heading south or west.
Zach Putnam is an interesting player. I saw him play my son's school last year. When he left the program via the draft last year, it was like losing two players because he also swung the bat. Michigan had a boat load of fairly high draft choices last year so it can be done. Now, Michigan has to follow up in the next year or so with more success imho or they will squander what they have built.
ClevelandDad,
Yes, Michigan lost a lot, but they still have a great coach with outstanding assistants. They are one of the hardest working recruiting teams in the country.
I really respect those coaches from the north who can develop winning programs on a national scale.
Yes, Michigan lost a lot, but they still have a great coach with outstanding assistants. They are one of the hardest working recruiting teams in the country.
I really respect those coaches from the north who can develop winning programs on a national scale.
The confusing thing to me is with most baseball scholarships being partial (60% is considered very good). Aren't there players that still need the value of a scholarship off of an in state tuition? Or is everbody just richer than I am?
Michigan and Ohio State also have their football teams to thank for making the schools visible and for pumping serious $$ into the athletic department.
OSU's hockey team has some gadgets that even NHL teams have passed on (like that ice skating treadmill), Michigan's facilities are nice enough that they hosted BOTH (Baseball and Softball) Big 10 tournaments last year and they both have prestigious degrees.
Indiana is in the same state as ND and Purdue and within spitting distance of Louisville, so it is difficult for them to compete for kids but they get players (LT sent a kid down there a few years ago ... although he ended up at COD). The Big 10 suffers from off-season weather more than in-season weather.
Coach Brownlee (at Iowa) as a nice guy a few years ago when the SICA had a few players (Mueller-Reavis, S. Sexton-Oak Lawn, Richards had a few, Crane-Crete?, Shepard had a pair of pitchers) and came to watch all of the All-Star games and had some kind words at the different local showcases.
OSU's hockey team has some gadgets that even NHL teams have passed on (like that ice skating treadmill), Michigan's facilities are nice enough that they hosted BOTH (Baseball and Softball) Big 10 tournaments last year and they both have prestigious degrees.
Indiana is in the same state as ND and Purdue and within spitting distance of Louisville, so it is difficult for them to compete for kids but they get players (LT sent a kid down there a few years ago ... although he ended up at COD). The Big 10 suffers from off-season weather more than in-season weather.
Coach Brownlee (at Iowa) as a nice guy a few years ago when the SICA had a few players (Mueller-Reavis, S. Sexton-Oak Lawn, Richards had a few, Crane-Crete?, Shepard had a pair of pitchers) and came to watch all of the All-Star games and had some kind words at the different local showcases.
I know one of the challenges that Kendall Rogers spoke of in the article was the full funding of baseball scholarships by northern schools, and until they do that, they aren't showing the requisite commmittment to baseball.
Does Purdue and Indiana fully fund the 11.7?
Does Purdue and Indiana fully fund the 11.7?
quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Tuzigoot - excellent post.
There is a model for the Big 10 if any of the teams are SERIOUS about baseball imho. That program is Wichita State. They are almost as far North as many Big 10 schools and play in a weaker conference. They get by on the strength of their coach. Nebraska is another one that is quasi in the North. Oregon State is also arguably a Northern School although there is a different dynamic there in they play in a glamour conference. Michigan in the last few years has shown that the Big 10 can compete with any conference. Now the issue is what is Michigan going to do for an encore? Kentucky and Louisville are also in essentially the same boat. Again, Kentucky benefits greatly from their conference affiliation.
MVC a weaker conference than Big 10?
Not sure I agree?
quote:MVC a weaker conference than Big 10?
Not sure I agree?
Ooops. I did not mean to imply MVC was weaker than the Big 10. I meant Wichita State is in a conference that is not considered strong nationally i.e., they are viewed as a weaker conference overall - not relative to the Big 10.
FWIW, I looked at Boyd's RPI rankings and the MVC and the Big 10 RPI is almost identical.
According to Warren Nolan
2008 RPI MVC 12 Big 10 14
2007 RPI MVC 7 Big 10 12
2006 RPI MVC 12 Big 10 15
2005 RPI MVC 6 Big 10 7
2004 RPI MVC 15 Big 10 14
Of course the RPI is woefully flawed for baseball, and in all these years, the Big 10 still played 4 game in conference series while the MVC played 3 game in conference series, further skewing the RPI towards the MVC.
2008 RPI MVC 12 Big 10 14
2007 RPI MVC 7 Big 10 12
2006 RPI MVC 12 Big 10 15
2005 RPI MVC 6 Big 10 7
2004 RPI MVC 15 Big 10 14
Of course the RPI is woefully flawed for baseball, and in all these years, the Big 10 still played 4 game in conference series while the MVC played 3 game in conference series, further skewing the RPI towards the MVC.
My conclusions regarding the MVC and Big 10 were based upon the Boyd's RPIs. When the Big 10 starts playing 3 game series this year like practically all the conferances do, their RPI should put them ahead of the MVC going forward.
The MVC has been ahead of the Big 10 in baseball for a long time.
Academics? It's all Big 10.
Academics? It's all Big 10.