The new softball RPI is out for March 4, 2016. It's good to see the RPI of conference teams being so solid but the records this year are a little down. I know we have four teams with good RPI's and pretty good records last year at tournament selection time so I'm hoping we can pick it up a little.

NCAA D1 Softball RPI

Below is the list of Sun Belt teams.

For the most part, the teams in the conference with the best records are behind us. I expect to fall some from #3 with the remaining conference series and the looming possibility of getting swept @ Florida. Losing the games will of course be offset by Florida's great W-L record, but our W-L record vs. RPI top 25/50/100 will take a hit, which affects us at selection time. That was already going to be a tough series to get a win there, but compound it with not having Elkins; doesn't look good.

USA has a big game Wednesday in Starkville to take on MSU. Then we have a big series this weekend with UTA. We need a win Wednesday and a series win against UTA to get closer to at-large range. Right now, unless we win the tournament we are probably sitting at home this year. We still have Alabama in a couple weeks, but after they took the series against Florida it's looking like another loss to the Tide. I'm hoping we can move into at-large range by season's end. *crossing fingers*

(04-04-2016 05:52 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  USA has a big game Wednesday in Starkville to take on MSU. Then we have a big series this weekend with UTA. We need a win Wednesday and a series win against UTA to get closer to at-large range. Right now, unless we win the tournament we are probably sitting at home this year. We still have Alabama in a couple weeks, but after they took the series against Florida it's looking like another loss to the Tide. I'm hoping we can move into at-large range by season's end. *crossing fingers*

I'm of two different opinions in regards to South Alabama's chances of getting an at large bid. The first is a positive one: I would find it difficult to believe that the selection committee would not take the second place team from the 6th highest rated conference if that team is in range of other at large candidates, like in the rpi top 40.

The other thought is not so positive: South Alabama will have played 9 games against top 50 rpi opponents and not have won a game. The Jaguars' best wins, at the moment, are against #56 (and dropping) Georgia State. The best non-conference wins (2) are against #67 UAB, who has a losing record.

I suspect, if it comes to a close scrutiny, South Alabama better get that signature win, and there are only two opportunities left, at Starkville and at Tuscaloosa.

All I can say is that it is a pleasure to watch the Louisiana team play.....they rarely dissapoint. They are an integral part of making the UL athletic program successful.

GEAUX Cajuns!

As I figured it would, that loss to App, despite a series win, drop us 15.

(04-05-2016 10:21 AM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  As I figured it would, that loss to App, despite a series win, drop us 15.

No, playing the game against App was more responsible for the drop than actually losing the game. With App's crappy W-L record you were going to drop whether you won the game or not.

South Alabama's game in Starkville was cancelled due to a threat of rain. It looks like they have settled on a makeup date as Mississippi State's schedule is showing the game to now be on Tuesday, April 26.

We just played a doubleheader against VA Tech and they took a win in the first game, we came storming back to dominate the second, but that loss will help you guys stay up on us in the standings.

(04-07-2016 06:41 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  We just played a doubleheader against VA Tech and they took a win in the first game, we came storming back to dominate the second, but that loss will help you guys stay up on us in the standings.

You split with a team that has a (barely) winning record and is #45 in the rpi rankings, which means they have played a pretty good schedule. You have a 3 game series with a 23-15 team. The Cajuns are playing a 3 game set with a 19-19 team. Provided both teams sweep, there shouldn't be much change.

(04-07-2016 06:41 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  We just played a doubleheader against VA Tech and they took a win in the first game, we came storming back to dominate the second, but that loss will help you guys stay up on us in the standings.

I know it's been covered on other threads, but 50% of the RPI is your opponents winning percentage. Your wins/losses are 25%, and your opponents opponents wins/losses are the other 25%. If you play them once, you add their wins/losses once. If you play them three times, you add them three times. For out of conference games, as long as your opponent is not in the top or bottom 25/50/75 where bonus points come into play the RPI is a pretty straight mathematical exercise.

Polls have not bearing on anything to do with anything except a fun exercise for those who were made obsolete by the RPI.