Surprise, surprise - UCF is back in the NCAA Regional hunt.
With an 8-2 record over their last 10 games and more importantly a series win at Tulane and non-conference road win at Miami, the Knights are No. 53 in the RPI and have some key opportunities to increase that standing between now and the end of the season.
Upcoming:
No. 35 FAU - next Tuesday in Boca Raton
No. 37 Houston - next Thursday-Saturday in Orlando
According to Warren Nolan, if UCF were to win all four games, they'd finish No. 45 in the RPI heading into the conference tournament. I wonder if UCF were to beat FAU and take 2/3 vs. Houston, how similar the RPI would be. Unfortunately, UCF needs a sweep of Houston to finish with a .500 conference record (12-12). Still would be hard to see a team with a losing conference record make a regional.
Granted, I think UCF needs a minimum of that (3-1) plus needs to make somewhat of a run in the AAC tournament (can't go two-and-out).
In their latest projections, D1Baseball (Kendall Rogers & Mark Etheridge) has UCF in their "First Five Out."
While things looked bleak not all that long ago, kudos to the team for turning things around and making a run. Despite a depleted pitching staff, they've really stepped up.
UCF will need to continue piling up wins, but you can at least say the door has cracked in regards to a NCAA Regional opportunity.
With an 8-2 record over their last 10 games and more importantly a series win at Tulane and non-conference road win at Miami, the Knights are No. 53 in the RPI and have some key opportunities to increase that standing between now and the end of the season.
Upcoming:
No. 35 FAU - next Tuesday in Boca Raton
No. 37 Houston - next Thursday-Saturday in Orlando
According to Warren Nolan, if UCF were to win all four games, they'd finish No. 45 in the RPI heading into the conference tournament. I wonder if UCF were to beat FAU and take 2/3 vs. Houston, how similar the RPI would be. Unfortunately, UCF needs a sweep of Houston to finish with a .500 conference record (12-12). Still would be hard to see a team with a losing conference record make a regional.
Granted, I think UCF needs a minimum of that (3-1) plus needs to make somewhat of a run in the AAC tournament (can't go two-and-out).
In their latest projections, D1Baseball (Kendall Rogers & Mark Etheridge) has UCF in their "First Five Out."
While things looked bleak not all that long ago, kudos to the team for turning things around and making a run. Despite a depleted pitching staff, they've really stepped up.
UCF will need to continue piling up wins, but you can at least say the door has cracked in regards to a NCAA Regional opportunity.
