The No. 9/9 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team established a new school record for consecutive weeks in the Top 10 of either national poll, reaching 11 consecutive weeks inside the Top 10 of the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 in Tuesday's release of the polls.

ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/rankin...d/15530000

USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll
https://nfca.org/index.php/component/nfc...&pdiv=div1

 Louisiana (34-5, 17-3 Sun Belt) came in at No. 9 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll for the third straight week. Preseason ranked No. 9 in the poll, the Cajuns have been as high as No. 6 (Feb. 16, Feb. 23) and no lower than No. 10 (March 30).  They have been as high as No.5 in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll.

The new school record 11 straight weeks in the Top 10 of ESPN/USA Softball poll topped the previous record, in either poll (USA Softball or NFCA), of 10 straight weeks set in 2012 NFCA poll (March 12-May 7). 

For winning two games by a grand total of 44-11, the Cajuns dropped from No. 7 to 9 in the RPI this week. For getting crushed twice, the Mountaineers’ RPI jumped 17 spots from 179 to 162.

(04-22-2015 06:39 AM)SlickRick12 Wrote:  For winning two games by a grand total of 44-11, the Cajuns dropped from No. 7 to 9 in the RPI this week. For getting crushed twice, the Mountaineers’ RPI jumped 17 spots from 179 to 162.

(04-22-2015 06:39 AM)SlickRick12 Wrote:  For winning two games by a grand total of 44-11, the Cajuns dropped from No. 7 to 9 in the RPI this week. For getting crushed twice, the Mountaineers’ RPI jumped 17 spots from 179 to 162.

because 25% of the RPI is your winning percentage and your opponents' winning percentage is 50% of your RPI and the winning percentage of those opponents' opponents is 25% of your RPI.

The formula used in NCAA baseball does have an adjustment of home, road, and neutral site records. I'm not sure if they have the same adjustments in Softball.

The baseball committee decided to make the adjustment in 2013 because of the discrepancy in the number of home games teams play. Some schools are able to play 35-40 of their 56 allowable games at home.

Since the Cajuns winning percentage is high, it really boosted Appalachian State's RPI. On the other hand with Appalachian St having a low winning percentage, it really hurt the Cajuns. It's good that the 3rd game was rained out or we wouldn't be in the Top 10.

The Oregon series should really help our RPI even if we lose because they have a high winning percentage which will account for 50% of our RPI and Oregon's opponents counting for another 25%. Since our winning percentage is only 25% of our RPI, a loss shouldn't hurt much.

The opponents' winning percentage and the winning percentage of those opponents' opponents both comprise the strength of schedule (SOS). Thus, the SOS accounts for 75% of the RPI calculation

That's why Out of Conference scheduling is so important since the SOS accounts for 75% of your RPI.

I could be wrong but that's the way I understand it. If I said something in error, please someone correct me.
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(04-22-2015 06:55 PM)IdahoCajun Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 06:39 AM)SlickRick12 Wrote:  For winning two games by a grand total of 44-11, the Cajuns dropped from No. 7 to 9 in the RPI this week. For getting crushed twice, the Mountaineers’ RPI jumped 17 spots from 179 to 162.

because 25% of the RPI is your winning percentage and your opponents' winning percentage is 50% of your RPI and the winning percentage of those opponents' opponents is 25% of your RPI.

The formula used in NCAA baseball does have an adjustment of home, road, and neutral site records. I'm not sure if they have the same adjustments in Softball.

The baseball committee decided to make the adjustment in 2013 because of the discrepancy in the number of home games teams play. Some schools are able to play 35-40 of their 56 allowable games at home.

Since the Cajuns winning percentage is high, it really boosted Appalachian State's RPI. On the other hand with Appalachian St having a low winning percentage, it really hurt the Cajuns. It's good that the 3rd game was rained out or we wouldn't be in the Top 10.

The Oregon series should really help our RPI even if we lose because they have a high winning percentage which will account for 50% of our RPI and Oregon's opponents counting for another 25%. Since our winning percentage is only 25% of our RPI, a loss shouldn't hurt much.

The opponents' winning percentage and the winning percentage of those opponents' opponents both comprise the strength of schedule (SOS). Thus, the SOS accounts for 75% of the RPI calculation

That's why Out of Conference scheduling is so important since the SOS accounts for 75% of your RPI.

I could be wrong but that's the way I understand it. If I said something in error, please someone correct me.
.

You're not in error.

Softball does not use the home/road/neutral adjustment.

(04-22-2015 09:42 PM)lcitsh Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 06:55 PM)IdahoCajun Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 06:39 AM)SlickRick12 Wrote:  For winning two games by a grand total of 44-11, the Cajuns dropped from No. 7 to 9 in the RPI this week. For getting crushed twice, the Mountaineers’ RPI jumped 17 spots from 179 to 162.

because 25% of the RPI is your winning percentage and your opponents' winning percentage is 50% of your RPI and the winning percentage of those opponents' opponents is 25% of your RPI.

The formula used in NCAA baseball does have an adjustment of home, road, and neutral site records. I'm not sure if they have the same adjustments in Softball.

The baseball committee decided to make the adjustment in 2013 because of the discrepancy in the number of home games teams play. Some schools are able to play 35-40 of their 56 allowable games at home.

Since the Cajuns winning percentage is high, it really boosted Appalachian State's RPI. On the other hand with Appalachian St having a low winning percentage, it really hurt the Cajuns. It's good that the 3rd game was rained out or we wouldn't be in the Top 10.

The Oregon series should really help our RPI even if we lose because they have a high winning percentage which will account for 50% of our RPI and Oregon's opponents counting for another 25%. Since our winning percentage is only 25% of our RPI, a loss shouldn't hurt much.

The opponents' winning percentage and the winning percentage of those opponents' opponents both comprise the strength of schedule (SOS). Thus, the SOS accounts for 75% of the RPI calculation

That's why Out of Conference scheduling is so important since the SOS accounts for 75% of your RPI.

I could be wrong but that's the way I understand it. If I said something in error, please someone correct me.
.

You're not in error.

Softball does not use the home/road/neutral adjustment.

Thanks for the info about the adjustment

Here are 2 scenarios of how the Oregon series will affect the Cajuns RPI whether the Cajuns sweep Oregon or the Cajuns get swept.

RPI formula = (25% x WP) + (50% x OWP) + (25% x OOWP)
WP = your winning percentage
OWP = your opponents winning percentage
OOWP = your opponents opponent winning percentage

The OWP and the OOWP both comprise the strength of schedule (SOS). Thus, the SOS accounts for 75% of the RPI calculation.

RPI Bonuses:
Base RPI Top 25 -> 0.0028
Base RPI 26 -> 50 -> 0.0021
Base RPI 51 -> 75 ->0.0016


Oregon sweeps Cajuns
Cajuns would be 34-8 = 0.8095 winning percentage

Cajuns RPI =(0.25 x 0.81) +(0.50 x OWP) + (.25 x OOWP)
Cajuns RPI = 0.2024 + .(0.50 x OWP) + (0.25 x OOWP)

Cajuns sweep Oregon
Cajuns would be 37-5 = 0.8809 WP

Cajuns RPI = (0.25 x 0.881) + (0.50 x OWP) + (0.25 x OOWP)
Cajuns RPI =0.2205 + (0.50 x OWP) + (0.25 x OOWP)
Cajuns RPI Bonus = 0.0084 for 3 wins over a top 25 base RPI team with a bonus of 0.0028 per win
Cajuns RPI with Bonus = 0.2286 + (0.50 x OWP) + (0.25 x OOWP)

Which is a difference of 0.2286 - 0.2024 = 0.0263

(0.50 x OWP) + (0.25 x OOWP) is the same in each case

if the Cajuns sweep Oregon, their RPI will increase by 0.0263 than if they were swept

I could be wrong with the Bonuses.

Appalachian St benefitted by playing the DH against the Cajuns. In the doubleheader to the Cajuns by a total score of 44-11 which allowed their RPI to climb 17 spots while the Cajuns dropped 2 spots

This shows the importance of scheduling top teams for Out of Conference games.

(04-23-2015 07:29 AM)IdahoCajun Wrote:  Here are 2 scenarios of how the Oregon series will affect the Cajuns RPI whether the Cajuns sweep Oregon or the Cajuns get swept.

RPI formula = (25%× WP) + (50%×OWP) + (25%×OOWP)
WP = your winning percentage
OWP = your opponents winning percentage
OOWP = your opponents opponent winning percentage

The OWP and the OOWP both comprise the strength of schedule (SOS). Thus, the SOS accounts for 75% of the RPI calculation.

RPI Bonuses:
Base RPI Top 25 -> 0.0028
Base RPI 26 -> 50 -> 0.0021
Base RPI 51 -> 75 ->0.0016


Oregon sweeps Cajuns
Oregon would be 40-5 = 0.89 winning percentage
Cajuns would be 34-8 = 0.81 winning percentage

Cajuns RPI =(0.25×0.81) +(0.50×.89) + 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage
Cajuns RPI = 0.6474 + 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage

Cajuns sweep Oregon
Oregon would be 37-8 = 0.822
Cajuns would be 37-5 = 0.881

Cajuns RPI = (0.25×0.881) + (0.50×0.822) + 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage
Cajuns RPI =0.6312+ 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage
Cajuns RPI Bonus = 0.0084 for 3 wins over a top 25 base RPI team with a bonus of 0.0028 per win
Cajuns RPI with Bonus = 0.6396 + 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage

Which is a difference of 0.6474 - 0.6396 = 0.0078

25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage is the same in each case

if the Cajuns get swept, their RPI would be more than if they swept Oregon.

if Cajuns sweep Oregon, the Cajuns RPI is 0.6396 + (25% x OOWP)
if Oregon sweeps the Cajuns, the Cajuns RPI is 0.6474 + (25% x OOWP)

since (25% x OOWP) are the same in each case, then the Cajuns RPI will increase by 0.0078 if they get swept than if they swept Oregon in which the Cajuns RPI would drop by 0.0078.

Seems strange but Appalachian St benefited from losing a doubleheader to the Cajuns by a total score of 44-11 which allowed their RPI to climb 17 spots while the Cajuns dropped 2 spots

This shows the importance of scheduling top teams for Out of Conference games.

Our RPI takes a bigger hit if we lose all 3 versus if we win all 3. You do not count what you did versus the opponent in the opponent's W-L record. Oregon is currently 38-5. Doesn't matter what happens this weekend, their .884 WP will be added to our RPI three times (hopefully 3 times). Let's say we take 2 of 3, Oregon's WP remains at .884 when determining our opponent's WP. Continuing the assumption that we take 2 of 3, Oregon is now 39-7 overall, but for our RPI, they remain at 38-5. If they sweep their final two regular season series, they move to 45-7 overall, but 44-5 for our RPI purposes because you need to take out the 3 games that we played against them.

See this summary for a breakdown of scenarios for this weekend.

(04-23-2015 09:39 AM)Cajunman02 Wrote:  

(04-23-2015 07:29 AM)IdahoCajun Wrote:  Here are 2 scenarios of how the Oregon series will affect the Cajuns RPI whether the Cajuns sweep Oregon or the Cajuns get swept.

RPI formula = (25%× WP) + (50%×OWP) + (25%×OOWP)
WP = your winning percentage
OWP = your opponents winning percentage
OOWP = your opponents opponent winning percentage

The OWP and the OOWP both comprise the strength of schedule (SOS). Thus, the SOS accounts for 75% of the RPI calculation.

RPI Bonuses:
Base RPI Top 25 -> 0.0028
Base RPI 26 -> 50 -> 0.0021
Base RPI 51 -> 75 ->0.0016


Oregon sweeps Cajuns
Oregon would be 40-5 = 0.89 winning percentage
Cajuns would be 34-8 = 0.81 winning percentage

Cajuns RPI =(0.25×0.81) +(0.50×.89) + 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage
Cajuns RPI = 0.6474 + 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage

Cajuns sweep Oregon
Oregon would be 37-8 = 0.822
Cajuns would be 37-5 = 0.881

Cajuns RPI = (0.25×0.881) + (0.50×0.822) + 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage
Cajuns RPI =0.6312+ 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage
Cajuns RPI Bonus = 0.0084 for 3 wins over a top 25 base RPI team with a bonus of 0.0028 per win
Cajuns RPI with Bonus = 0.6396 + 25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage

Which is a difference of 0.6474 - 0.6396 = 0.0078

25% of Oregon's opponents winning percentage is the same in each case

if the Cajuns get swept, their RPI would be more than if they swept Oregon.

if Cajuns sweep Oregon, the Cajuns RPI is 0.6396 + (25% x OOWP)
if Oregon sweeps the Cajuns, the Cajuns RPI is 0.6474 + (25% x OOWP)

since (25% x OOWP) are the same in each case, then the Cajuns RPI will increase by 0.0078 if they get swept than if they swept Oregon in which the Cajuns RPI would drop by 0.0078.

Seems strange but Appalachian St benefited from losing a doubleheader to the Cajuns by a total score of 44-11 which allowed their RPI to climb 17 spots while the Cajuns dropped 2 spots

This shows the importance of scheduling top teams for Out of Conference games.

Our RPI takes a bigger hit if we lose all 3 versus if we win all 3. You do not count what you did versus the opponent in the opponent's W-L record. Oregon is currently 38-5. Doesn't matter what happens this weekend, their .884 WP will be added to our RPI three times (hopefully 3 times). Let's say we take 2 of 3, Oregon's WP remains at .884 when determining our opponent's WP. Continuing the assumption that we take 2 of 3, Oregon is now 39-7 overall, but for our RPI, they remain at 38-5. If they sweep their final two regular season series, they move to 45-7 overall, but 44-5 for our RPI purposes because you need to take out the 3 games that we played against them.

See this summary for a breakdown of scenarios for this weekend.

Thanks alot for the clarifications. The RPI is a complicated animal. Like in 2013 for baseball they started an adjustment for road, away, and neutral site games since some teams play alot at home like LSU. I guess that adjustment was approved by the NCAA.

The main point I was trying to make was how important scheduling good OOC games. Last week against Appalachian St wasn't an OOC game but it helped their RPI by them climbing 17 spots while we drop 2 even though we spanked them bad.

Since SOS accounts for 75% of your RPI, I'm glad the Cajuns usually begin the season by going to the top tournaments in the Nation. This year they had 3 series against top 25 teams with 2 of them being in the top 10 (Alabama and Oregon)