UK's last stand this weekend?

[backinky2018]

I know there are a lot of series remaining, but IMO this weekend represents UK's last big stand to make the NCAA tourney. It's a chance for a marquee home win against a top ranked team (and a big brand).

Also, UK sits at 5-7 in the SEC (and should be at least 7-5, IMO). If we lose the series or get swept that leaves us at either 6-9 or 5-10 going into Knoxville where we will likely get swept or win just one game. That would make our chances at making the tournament VERY SLIM.

I know that this year is a step back, but I was hoping Ming would get to the point where a down year is just SLIGHTLY down (i.e. making the tourney but not hosting). In my opinion, this weekend is the big test to see if we can rebound.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I think that this is going to be a weird year for the SEC. I don't think it would typically be unusual for say 12+ teams from the SEC to get into the NCAA tournament. However, USC, Florida, Miss State are on the cusp of being out and Missouri would basically have to win out to even have a chance. Right now UK is tied for 10th with Oklahoma and TAMU is just one game behind us in 12th. It might not be out of the realm of possibility for us to get into the tournament with what might be a traditionally poorer SEC record. RPI is 40th right now, might need that to improve some. Winning midweek games would be handy.

 

[briarcreek]

If we can finish at least 14-16 in the SEC I’d feel pretty confident about getting a tournament bid. We have to survive the next two weekends. Our last 4 SEC series are all winnable, S. Carolina and Mississippi State are really struggling so those will be must win series.

 

[backinky2018]

At this point, here is how I see it going:

Split today and tomorrow with Texas. 6-9 in SEC.
Get swept in Knoxville. 6-12.
Sweep South Carolina. 9-12
Lose 2-3 in Starkville. 10-14.
Win 2-3 against Okie. 12-15.
Lose 2-3 in Nash. 13-17.

If that happens, then we would need to win two games in Hoover. Zero room for error any way you cut it.

 

[CalCat57]

At this point I would be shocked if we got a tournament bid. There's just no strength on this team. Defense is not good, offense is not good baserunning is not good. Pitching at times is very good and at other times it's not.

 

[briarcreek]

Tough series loss. It’s going to be hard to overcome losing our first 3 SEC home series. Our pitching has really turned a corner and is keeping us competitive. Our offense is inept which has to cause concern about the new hitting coach.

I hope seeing the success Gargett had this weekend encourages our staff to give some other guys a chance. Koontz and Hansen were buried on the bench after early slumps but both have power which we are seriously lacking. Would really like to see Schwartz get some midweek at bats. Really talented kid who I’m afraid we may lose to the portal if he never plays, similar to the Austin Fawley situation and he’s crushing it at Ole Miss.

 

[backinky2018]

Tough series loss. It’s going to be hard to overcome losing our first 3 SEC home series. Our pitching has really turned a corner and is keeping us competitive. Our offense is inept which has to cause concern about the new hitting coach.

I hope seeing the success Gargett had this weekend encourages our staff to give some other guys a chance. Koontz and Hansen were buried on the bench after early slumps but both have power which we are seriously lacking. Would really like to see Schwartz get some midweek at bats. Really talented kid who I’m afraid we may lose to the portal if he never plays, similar to the Austin Fawley situation and he’s crushing it at Ole Miss.

Agree with this. To me, the coaching and strategy this weekend cost us the series.

I understand that we play a certain style, I have also been to many of our games and have watched most of the road games - it's apparent to me that we do not have the same type of team. We don't have the same speed, and we have very little power. There was zero effort to change anything when our primary strategy doesn't work. STOP bunting with your best hitters when you already have a man in scoring position. We gave away SO MANY outs this weekend. It's a razor thin margin in this league and we look Micky mouse right now. Sickening to watch from the stands when we probably should have won this series and the series against ole miss but blew it b/c of Ming.