Win the 2017 College World Series (looking at you Louisville, Clemson, UVa, FSU, TarHeels and Wake)..... get good news with regard to some players returning to bball teams.... FSU, Clemson, Louisville, VaTech (last season not a fluke) start highly ranked and stay highly ranked for football season ..... ACC get 2 into playoffs ..... either get back to back titles for Clemson or FSU gets another title ......... ACC does very well during bowl season ..... ACC dominates OOC basketball ..... ACC places 9-10 teams in tourney ..... ACC gets back to 2016 tourney performance and NC finishes it out with back to back NC titles.. Now that would be great. The New Normal

What would be great would be Louisville winning the CWS, CFP's & March Madness! Could happen.

I'd prefer VT to win all of the championships, personally.

Well ... if Louisville isn't the one winning things, then I sure hope it's another ACC school winning it!

As far as College World Series, Louisville's best team in history was last year. We are good this year, but we have some holes for sure. So the ACC's hopes for a baseball title probably should reside with Clemson or UNC. Having said that, maybe we can be that team that outplays a better one to get to Omaha, as it happened to us the past two years. And once you are there, then anything can happen.

And in hoops next year ... should Donovan Mitchell return, then we will be loaded. And would have a very good shot at cutting down the nets next year. Should that happen ... watch what happens in Lexington ... the heat on Calipari would be EPIC, and awesome. A popcorn schadenfreude fest to be remembered.

And there's a very real chance at winning lax

(04-11-2017 11:15 AM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  Well ... if Louisville isn't the one winning things, then I sure hope it's another ACC school winning it!

As far as College World Series, Louisville's best team in history was last year. We are good this year, but we have some holes for sure. So the ACC's hopes for a baseball title probably should reside with Clemson or UNC. Having said that, maybe we can be that team that outplays a better one to get to Omaha, as it happened to us the past two years. And once you are there, then anything can happen.

I don't think there is any question that last year's Louisville baseball team had more pure talent. However, let's not undersell this year's club just yet as we barely have passed the halfway mark of the regular season.

They are 27-4 (12-3), #2 in every poll, and #6 in RPI. While UofL has been upset by a lower ranked team in the Super Regional two straight years, it would be no surprise at all to anyone nationally if this team made it to Omaha. The club has areas for improvement, but I've not seen an indication yet that they are outclassed by anyone.

(04-11-2017 11:30 AM)CollegeCard Wrote:  

(04-11-2017 11:15 AM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  Well ... if Louisville isn't the one winning things, then I sure hope it's another ACC school winning it!

As far as College World Series, Louisville's best team in history was last year. We are good this year, but we have some holes for sure. So the ACC's hopes for a baseball title probably should reside with Clemson or UNC. Having said that, maybe we can be that team that outplays a better one to get to Omaha, as it happened to us the past two years. And once you are there, then anything can happen.

I don't think there is any question that last year's Louisville baseball team had more pure talent. However, let's not undersell this year's club just yet as we barely have passed the halfway mark of the regular season.

They are 27-4 (12-3), #2 in every poll, and #6 in RPI. While UofL has been upset by a lower ranked team in the Super Regional two straight years, it would be no surprise at all to anyone nationally if this team made it to Omaha. The club has areas for improvement, but I've not seen an indication yet that they are outclassed by anyone.

Not underselling them ... but it's clear, as compared to last year, that the hitting top to bottom isn't as strong, the starting pitching does not have 4 high quality starters like last year (hell, our Sunday pitcher Drew Harrington was the ACC pitcher of the year), and the bull pen can be shaky. At least to date. McDonnell is still trying to figure some of those things out.

There is time for those things to come together, of course, but it's not a slam at all. Last year's squad was simply much much better.

(04-11-2017 03:43 PM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  

(04-11-2017 11:30 AM)CollegeCard Wrote:  

(04-11-2017 11:15 AM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  Well ... if Louisville isn't the one winning things, then I sure hope it's another ACC school winning it!

As far as College World Series, Louisville's best team in history was last year. We are good this year, but we have some holes for sure. So the ACC's hopes for a baseball title probably should reside with Clemson or UNC. Having said that, maybe we can be that team that outplays a better one to get to Omaha, as it happened to us the past two years. And once you are there, then anything can happen.

I don't think there is any question that last year's Louisville baseball team had more pure talent. However, let's not undersell this year's club just yet as we barely have passed the halfway mark of the regular season.

They are 27-4 (12-3), #2 in every poll, and #6 in RPI. While UofL has been upset by a lower ranked team in the Super Regional two straight years, it would be no surprise at all to anyone nationally if this team made it to Omaha. The club has areas for improvement, but I've not seen an indication yet that they are outclassed by anyone.

Not underselling them ... but it's clear, as compared to last year, that the hitting top to bottom isn't as strong, the starting pitching does not have 4 high quality starters like last year (hell, our Sunday pitcher Drew Harrington was the ACC pitcher of the year), and the bull pen can be shaky. At least to date. McDonnell is still trying to figure some of those things out.

There is time for those things to come together, of course, but it's not a slam at all. Last year's squad was simply much much better.

Last year's team had several high draft picks that left the squad after the season, but the 2017 team doesn't have to play the 2016 team. And we have to keep in mind, when push came to shove, that bullpen that had excelled most of the last two seasons didn't like the pressure and gave up big runs late in the Super Regional games, costing us trips to Omaha.

We're comparing full season stats to now (55% through the regular season), but our batting average from last year is down from .322 to .302. That .302 average is 30th nationally. The team ERA has improved from 2.82 to 2.53. The 2.53 ERA is 4th nationally.

I acknowledge there is room for team growth. I just think perspective is key. A lot of clubs excel at the plate or the mound, but not many are strong with both. Louisville's runs per game margin is +4.5. That leads the nation.

(04-11-2017 09:36 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I'd prefer VT to win all of the championships, personally.

...or any...

(ZING!)

(04-11-2017 06:13 PM)nzmorange Wrote:  

(04-11-2017 09:36 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I'd prefer VT to win all of the championships, personally.

...or any...

(ZING!)

Maybe instead of Fuente the Hokies should have hired Butch Jones away from Tennessee. Then they could have been the Champions of Life

(04-11-2017 11:20 AM)nzmorange Wrote:  And there's a very real chance at winning lax

Cuse will hold on to #1 next week...15-8 over your other team.

It would be awesome to take both spring sports.

(04-11-2017 08:36 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(04-11-2017 11:20 AM)nzmorange Wrote:  And there's a very real chance at winning lax

Cuse will hold on to #1 next week...15-8 over your other team.

It would be awesome to take both spring sports.

It would, and I saw. The game was a ton of fun to watch.

SU-Cornell lacrosse day is my favorite sporting event of the year. And that's possibly inclusive of the Yankees being in the World Series.

My only two complaints about the game today are that I wish Cornell came in w/ more pomp, and I prefer it when SU-CU is played at Schoelkopf. Seeing 2 storied rivals throw down in an ancient stadium is an amazing experience. The uniforms and names change every couple of years, but the game stays the same there. It's extremely easy to feel like you went 100 years back in time.

I'm not sure any of the ACC's football teams is going to have the quarterback play to win the playoffs. Maybe make the playoffs though.

Obviously, Louisville has the best returning quarterback, if the other pieces are good enough. We'll see if anyone emerges. I think this might be the year the ACC misses.

(04-12-2017 07:28 AM)Lou_C Wrote:  I'm not sure any of the ACC's football teams is going to have the quarterback play to win the playoffs. Maybe make the playoffs though.

Obviously, Louisville has the best returning quarterback, if the other pieces are good enough. We'll see if anyone emerges. I think this might be the year the ACC misses.

Lou, you not feeling very confident in Francois?

I thought he looked good at times last year, and having a whole season of playing time should really allow him to flourish this year. I think they'll need him to step up at times without a proven #1 back returning, though they have plenty of talent at the position.

(04-12-2017 09:30 AM)H.U.S.T.L.E. Wrote:  

(04-12-2017 07:28 AM)Lou_C Wrote:  I'm not sure any of the ACC's football teams is going to have the quarterback play to win the playoffs. Maybe make the playoffs though.

Obviously, Louisville has the best returning quarterback, if the other pieces are good enough. We'll see if anyone emerges. I think this might be the year the ACC misses.

Lou, you not feeling very confident in Francois?

I thought he looked good at times last year, and having a whole season of playing time should really allow him to flourish this year. I think they'll need him to step up at times without a proven #1 back returning, though they have plenty of talent at the position.

Francois is good, but not elite.

FSU starting out with Bama does not help FSU make the playoffs either.

(04-12-2017 10:21 AM)nole Wrote:  

(04-12-2017 09:30 AM)H.U.S.T.L.E. Wrote:  

(04-12-2017 07:28 AM)Lou_C Wrote:  I'm not sure any of the ACC's football teams is going to have the quarterback play to win the playoffs. Maybe make the playoffs though.

Obviously, Louisville has the best returning quarterback, if the other pieces are good enough. We'll see if anyone emerges. I think this might be the year the ACC misses.

Lou, you not feeling very confident in Francois?

I thought he looked good at times last year, and having a whole season of playing time should really allow him to flourish this year. I think they'll need him to step up at times without a proven #1 back returning, though they have plenty of talent at the position.

Francois is good, but not elite.

FSU starting out with Bama does not help FSU make the playoffs either.

Giving up on the W already?

That's what I was thinking too..^^^^^^

Doesn't sound like the normal ALWAYS CONFIDENT Nole fan I know of...
I would totally give FSU great chance to both beat Bama on Day 1 and win the CFP, THIS YEAR.

...of course I'd rather my cardinals do it but FSU has a super great chance.
FLossY Out...

(04-12-2017 07:28 AM)Lou_C Wrote:  I'm not sure any of the ACC's football teams is going to have the quarterback play to win the playoffs. Maybe make the playoffs though.

Obviously, Louisville has the best returning quarterback, if the other pieces are good enough. We'll see if anyone emerges. I think this might be the year the ACC misses.

The O line was the issue last season. I think the QB was running for his life too much and his O line should have paid for his physical therapy. I am not buying it. FSU is going to knock the ish out of some people this season. It was the redemption tour for NC basketball.... I am calling this FSU season the "Big Payback" Tour.

(04-12-2017 09:30 AM)H.U.S.T.L.E. Wrote:  

(04-12-2017 07:28 AM)Lou_C Wrote:  I'm not sure any of the ACC's football teams is going to have the quarterback play to win the playoffs. Maybe make the playoffs though.

Obviously, Louisville has the best returning quarterback, if the other pieces are good enough. We'll see if anyone emerges. I think this might be the year the ACC misses.

Lou, you not feeling very confident in Francois?

I thought he looked good at times last year, and having a whole season of playing time should really allow him to flourish this year. I think they'll need him to step up at times without a proven #1 back returning, though they have plenty of talent at the position.

Agreee with Nole. I think Francois is good, but no, not good enough. He might start for 90+ teams, but I don't think he's good enough to win it all in this offense. Maybe in an offense that primarily ran the ball, utilized his legs, and then had him use his big arm to hit the big play when it's been set up. But that's not really Jimbo's offense.

The areas where he needs to improve are not areas where you frequently see QBs improve much year over year.

We'll see, the defense could be very nasty, but it underachieved massively half of last year, so I'll wait to see.

(04-12-2017 11:29 AM)HRFlossY Wrote:  That's what I was thinking too..^^^^^^

Doesn't sound like the normal ALWAYS CONFIDENT Nole fan I know of...
I would totally give FSU great chance to both beat Bama on Day 1 and win the CFP, THIS YEAR.

...of course I'd rather my cardinals do it but FSU has a super great chance.
FLossY Out...

If you look at it just like I fan, I guess you could interpret it like that.

I TRY to see it like Vegas. Bama has 7 straight #1 recruiting classes and doesn't lose unless to ELITE QBs, for the most part. FSU has a solid non elite QB and weak OL (QB will get hit often).

Vegas has about them about a 5 point favorite.

My statement:

"FSU starting out with Bama does not help FSU make the playoffs either"

Is not 'giving up', it is a factual statement. Anybody playing the most talented team will have a tougher time making a playoff and AT THE SAME time, is not an admission stating FSU will lose.


But I get it, fan is a derivative of 'fanatic' and some believe you have to see through those glasses.