I hope Coach is coaching to win the tournament.
I'd start Nate in Game 1. If we are still around Saturday and are playing an elimination game - start him. If we are playing Sunday and played the minimum number of games (3) - Start him!
If we start him Wednesday - then hopefully we get a win in game 1, then have him available for relief duty if we get in a bind.
If we're coaching by committee I vote Nate game 1. After we win we'll think about what to do in game 2.
No. What are you talking about? I never said we needed to win the whole tourney. You aren't listening.
My whole point has been we likely just need a win against USM to get an at-large bid. Hence, my main reason to save Nate for Game 2.
If we can't beat USM, then we are likely sitting at home.
Last edited by Dawg06; 05-20-2017 at 11:51 PM.
Yeah, the problem is that we have to actually beat Charlotte to play USM. Games not started by Nate have always been a 50/50 proposition in my mind.
But anyway, for winning the tournament I actually like pitching Nate in Game 2. In double elimination format, losing in round 1 or 2 of the winner's bracket doesn't matter, still have to play the same number of games (I'd argue losing the second game is the tougher road). For getting an at-large, I think pitching Nate Game 1 is the right move. Winning Game 1 will put us on the right side of the bubble come committee time. Our rpi would be so much better than fau's (barring fau winning the tourney) that the committee would favor us. That being said if rice wins the tourney, we may be in trouble with them stealing a cusa bid.
Gonna be an interesting 5 days in Biloxi. I'm gonna try to go to all the games. Go dawgs!
Nate hasn't started Game 1 of a series all season. And it's a double-elimination tournament. Tech is guaranteed at least 2 games with Nate pitching 1 game regardless of the outcome of the first. Game 2 will be our most important game of the season regardless of the outcome of the first. I want Nate pitching our most important game of the season. And I want a fresh Nate, as sharp as possible. Burning Nate in Game 1 would be foolish IMO.
'06 how much would our rpi go up with a W over USM? How much would it go up with an L against them?
I agree. We are guaranteed 2 games. If we win game 1, Nate gives us the best chance to beat USM in game 2. If we lose game 1, we need Nate throwing our elimination game.
If this was a one and done, then Nate would be the obvious choice for game 1. We will no doubt play 2 games...
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There is a certain amount of subjectivity in the selection process. While we have some good early wins our conference resume is not going to impress enough to get selected. I think a strong showing in the tourney is a must to leave the committee with a "what have we done lately" good impression.
2-2 with a loss to USM just might not be good enough to get off the bubble. If we were not on the bubble then 2-2 would suffice but I think we need to leave no doubt.