I know that the schedules are worked on a few years in advance but it's sort of funny when the Spring baseball schedule is released before the Fall basketball schedule. Also interesting that Kentucky (SEC) is coming to Carbondale.
That Kentucky series is a big one. I haven't looked closely into it, but offhand the non-conference schedule looks better than last year.
Between this and Rhodes' new contract, I'm excited for the season.
Frankly, outside of Wofford (35), Kentucky (52), Belmont (63), SEMO (64), and Illinois (78) I am not overly impressed with the schedule. Meaning, I don't think this non-conference will get us too many looks for an at large bid. Last years rankings I know and maybe an Ohio has a great year and enters top 100/50 and the above teams have good years and go higher in the rankings too, but feels like win the conference to get in type of schedule.
Looks like the only teams on our 2023 schedule that went to the NCAA last year are Mo State and SEMO.
Wofford, Kentucky, Belmont, and SEMO had higher rpis than us (even though we were 2 - 0 against SEMO, which illustrates the stupidity of the RPI). SEMO made the NCAA by winning the OVC tourney - two quick losses.
In the ELO rankings, only Kentucky had a higher ranking than us. Only Kentucky, Wofford, Belmont, and Mo. State made the top 100. Wofford had 5 players go to the Minors, so I expect them to be weaker.
Kentucky was 12 - 18 in the tough SEC but got to the SEC championship game and lost.
I agree - not sure this gets us an at large with 40 wins, unless we whip up on Kentucky and Illinois. That won't happen unless our pitching is way better.
Farmer and JT Weber are gone - big loss.
That Kentucky series is a big one. I haven't looked closely into it, but offhand the non-conference schedule looks better than last year.
Between this and Rhodes' new contract, I'm excited for the season.
I went to the one game we beat them in 1980. Great atmosphere.
Check out our schedule back then: Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisville, Okie State, Illinois, Miami Hurricanes. Unfortunately, we lost the MVC Championship game to #13 Wichita (back when Smithson was the coach).
https://twitter.com/siu_baseball/status/1564627435995516929?s=21&t=3A9Ntnjyr6UACDCan7LNRg
Played for and studied under Jamieson. I like the move.
We got left off the pre-season top 100 ranking by D1Baseball. Mo State and Indiana St came in at #59 and 60, despite us winning the conference last season.
https://twitter.com/ncaabaseball/status/1584532381901258752?s=21&t=wGXPilTC5Eriz-KLSfGQUA
Off-topic but....
Former Saluki Sam Coonrod was DFA'ed by the Phillies today.
D1Baseball picks SIU to win the MVC:
https://d1baseball.com/season-preview/2023-missouri-valley-season-preview/
Guessing we get media polls soon, think softball came out this week.
D1Baseball picks SIU to win the MVC:
https://d1baseball.com/season-preview/2023-missouri-valley-season-preview/
Guessing we get media polls soon, think softball came out this week.
Go Dawgs! We've got a couple excellent players to replace!
Got a couple of good pitchers coming in plus a bunch of guys from last year.
D1Baseball.com
Preseason Player of the Year: SS, Kaeber Rog
2023 Draft Prospects (MVC Rank)
No. 3, RHP, Paul Bonzagni
No. 7, RHP, Easton Dermody
No. 19, SS, Kaeber Rog
No. 21, OF, Pier-Olivier Boucher
No. 24, 3B, Ryan Rodriguez
