2023 NCAA Post Season (HOSTING) Discussion Thread - Merged

[NorCalVol67]

Yes, 15-15 conference record.

Series wins - West End girls, State - sweep, GA, UK

Take one at the cocks.

 

[volsagain]

Really believe this team has all the pieces. Can't wait much longer to get it all together. Need a lot of work on infield situations and get comfortable working together as a team. Our hitting has to start coming through with runners in scoring position. I continue to believe this all happens . We have enough pitching to match any team out there. Just do it Yes they will. GBO

 

[savannahfan]

Without a doubt, plenty of baseball left and we’ll get in and make a run……….

Hey, we can’t play much worse so we‘ve got to improve. It will all come together after this weekend

Not playing defense like I saw this weekend(and have seen this year). Not only defense, but most everything else. It seems to me this bunch just is not focused and not very intense.

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

I voted no because we haven’t seen this team put it all together yet. Talent is there. Execution isn’t. Gotta vote no till we see improvement.

 

[knoxvol52]

I’m giving you a like, but mofo, some punctuation would be nice.

Really you just called me a "mofo" really does that mean what I think it does that's not cool.

 

[Boomer78]

I'll say YES. The pitchers have not thrown terrible (with a couple of exceptions) but the margin for error is so small due to lack of offense. i think these guys will get their stuff together offensively and make a run. Contrary to what it looks like, I don't think they're that far off, just need a few timely hits to light the fire. We actually out hit Ark over the 3 games 21-18, but got absolutely nothing out of them. Timely hits are the problem as i see it, hopefully they can relax and start hitting when they need it.

 

[kell7517]

I voted yes, but with hesitation. May be the orange colored glasses or that I have faith in TV to get this turned around. A little bit more discipline at
Tha plate and even more running the bases and we should squeak in.

 

[MAD]

I’m giving you a like, but moving forward, some punctuation would be nice.

Really you just called me a "mofo" really does that mean what I think it does that's not cool.

The way TXBO used it, it means moving forward

 

[Volprofch05]

I (of course) voted Hell Yes, before it was apparently edited to just Yes. Let's circle the wagons!

 

[nashvillepanther]

I’m still willing to play the book for anyone willing to bet UT making the NCAAs at -250.

 

[knoxvol52]

The way TXBO used it, it means moving forward

Thanks for clarifying, guess me being older is different when I was younger "mofo" meant something totally different. Do I get points deducted for no punctuation lol thought this was an opinion board not English class.

 

[BigALWiLson]

Yes, obviously playing better baseball from here out would help the cause. Fundamentals is where it starts.

 

[taylorvol]

Here’s my conclusions thus far based on facts, data, and some subjective reasoning:

1) This 2023 team is green and inexperienced on offense and defense. All 9 hitters and 8 position players have ZERO years of full-time starting experience at UT prior to this season. Contrary, the 2022 team had 14 years of full-time starting experience at UT.
2) This team cumulatively only has 9 years on UT’s roster. Contrary, the 2022 team had 21 years on UT’s roster.
3) Yes, the portal transfers of Ahuna, Denton, and Griffin have tons of experience elsewhere (only Denton has SEC experience where it truly does mean more), but baseball teams need repetitions and time together in the field, dugout, clubhouse, hotels, buses, etc.to develop that team chemistry.
4) Our core roster is full of freshmen and sophomores, and I submit that these facts LOUDLY pointed to a rebuilding year in the field and at the plate. The euphoria from the last two seasons (and our returning pitching) clouded most everyone’s judgment.
5) Team will make postseason based on rebound of starting pitching, some clutch hitting, and leadership from Dickey, Scott, Moore, Burke, Connell, and Sewell.​

 

[txbo]

Here’s my conclusions thus far based on facts, data, and some subjective reasoning:

1) This 2023 team is green and inexperienced on offense and defense. All 9 hitters and 8 position players have ZERO years of full-time starting experience at UT prior to this season. Contrary, the 2022 team had 14 years of full-time starting experience at UT.​

2) This team cumulatively only has 9 years on UT’s roster. Contrary, the 2022 team had 21 years on UT’s roster.​

3) Yes, the portal transfers of Ahuna, Denton, and Griffin have tons of experience elsewhere (only Denton has SEC experience where it truly does mean more), but baseball teams need repetitions and time together in the field, dugout, clubhouse, hotels, buses, etc.to develop that team chemistry.​

4) Our core roster is full of freshmen and sophomores, and I submit that these facts LOUDLY pointed to a rebuilding year in the field and at the plate. The euphoria from the last two seasons (and our returning pitching) clouded most everyone’s judgment.​

5) Team will make postseason based on rebound of starting pitching, some clutch hitting, and leadership from Dickey, Scott, Moore, Burke, Connell, and Sewell.​

1) How much do you think the next 5 weeks of SEC play is going to effect the "inexperience"? I think it could be a much more mature squad in post season.
2) Anybody else sense that there is a barrier to this team developing that "chemistry"? I noticed some looks that don't seem to be friendly after a few plays.

 

[preacherman20]

I had a hard core Vandy fan tell me that he thinks everyone is scared if/when we put it all together. He said the glimmers of success, as Sully said, are scarey when it all comes together. He believes we will win enough to get into the SEC tournament and thinks if we are rolling by then we might be the favorite to win it all again and make a run in the playoffs. Sports are crazy because to win a championship you only have to be hot at the end.

 

[taylorvol]

1) How much do you think the next 5 weeks of SEC play is going to effect the "inexperience"? I think it could be a much more mature squad in post season.
2) Anybody else sense that there is a barrier to this team developing that "chemistry"? I noticed some looks that don't seem to be friendly after a few plays.

1) I hope we will see a team peaking in May that might surprise us with a postseason run. It depends how tough this team is and how much they’ve learned (and more importantly how they respond) from all the adversity, challenges, and disappointments.
2) I hope most of it is just the normal disappointments when someone botches a play, takes a poor approach at the plate, or makes a mental mistake. It’s hard to say….

 

[dh24]

I had a hard core Vandy fan tell me that he thinks everyone is scared if/when we put it all together. He said the glimmers of success, as Sully said, are scarey when it all comes together. He believes we will win enough to get into the SEC tournament and thinks if we are rolling by then we might be the favorite to win it all again and make a run in the playoffs. Sports are crazy because to win a championship you only have to be hot at the end.

At the end of the day, the players have to believe this. I mean, they truly have to possess confidence and belief in their heart that they are the best and can make a run this season. Playing in the SEC is tough. Talent doesn’t separate many guys in this league. The players that excel are the ones that believe in themselves, don’t get too high and don’t get too low. They don’t believe the positive hype or any negative press. Players that don’t get fazed when things don’t go their way. Confidence is so important at this level. I hope these young men still believe in themselves. I certainly do.

 

[a vol n tears]

I vote no. I think they go to Hoover but go out early. Even if they get to a regional series they have too many flaws. Pitching has not adjusted to the smaller strike zone and they are continually throwing good pitches when ahead in the count, giving up way too many HR hits all compounded by defense giving up free outs. Defense is causing the pitchers to throw 80+ pitches in 3 or 4 innings.
Hitting is slumping in SEC play, even the more experienced hitters are striking out a lot.
I don’t think Tenn is a bad team, but the strategy of depending on the HR hit isn’t working this year. They have very few steals, and are leaving runners on base too much. The portal guys have not adjusted to SEC talent at all. In hindsight I think it would have been better to play younger guys now who will be back next year . I’m afraid the portal guys will be gone and we will have the growing pains again when those 4(?) leave.

 

[preacherman20]

Do you not think we will bring in more portal guys next year? The portal is the future of college sports. I think it will become where 3-4 starters on each SEC team come from the portal every year. And I think we will lose guys to the portal every year. Too much money being thrown around to not lose guys, especially with the high recruiting classes we have coming in, to some of the ones that are paying millions.

 

[OldTimer]

Do you not think we will bring in more portal guys next year? The portal is the future of college sports. I think it will become where 3-4 starters on each SEC team come from the portal every year. And I think we will lose guys to the portal every year. Too much money being thrown around to not lose guys, especially with the high recruiting classes we have coming in, to some of the ones that are paying millions.

The portal is a blessing and cures……..you are rolling the dice with chemistry as well as where they came from And the level of completion they faced. Some work, others might not…….but the portal is in play and we and everyone else will use it as they see a need.

 

[nashvillepanther]

I think some in here don’t understand the impact of no “real” leaders on a college team.

This isn’t intended as a personal dig at anyone on the current team, but the 2022 leadership last year was on another level. It shows up on defensive readiness and AB consistency - it helps indicate how much of the team is consistently locked into the game, season, team.

Just my two cents.

It’s like the old saying, great times produce weak men, weak men produce tough times, tough times produce strong men, strong men create great times, and the circle continues.

The stars of next year’s team are being born right now.

 

[preacherman20]

But I would say different people have different opinions of what leadership is. I do know that pitchers very rarely to never can be the team leaders, but can definitely lead the pitching staff. The struggle this year is there has not been a consistent fielder and hitter every game so that guys will follow. I have learned through the years that you only have a voice when you’re one of if not the best player on the team. Most people do not consider off the field things as part of team leadership. That normally plays a part in the team chemistry and makeup.

 

[a vol n tears]

Do you not think we will bring in more portal guys next year? The portal is the future of college sports. I think it will become where 3-4 starters on each SEC team come from the portal every year. And I think we will lose guys to the portal every year. Too much money being thrown around to not lose guys, especially with the high recruiting classes we have coming in, to some of the ones that are paying millions.

I definitely think there will be portal guys every year. However recruiting them is just like recruiting HS guys. They may look great at ? but can they adjust to SEC play. The portal guys we brought in to hit are just a fraction of what they were at their previous schools. I prefer taking my lumps with Dreiling playing everyday than playing Ahuna or Merritt although Ahuna can come back. SEC & ACC pitching is easily above any other conference out there.
Just take our lumps this year and look forward to next year although the conference isn’t getting any easier.

 

[Sam I Am]

A quick study of the SEC Only stats for this team will make you want to start drinking Bud Light............

I voted No cause I can't drink that stuff!

 

[chuckiepoo]

I'll say YES. The pitchers have not thrown terrible (with a couple of exceptions) but the margin for error is so small due to lack of offense. i think these guys will get their stuff together offensively and make a run. Contrary to what it looks like, I don't think they're that far off, just need a few timely hits to light the fire. We actually out hit Ark over the 3 games 21-18, but got absolutely nothing out of them. Timely hits are the problem as i see it, hopefully they can relax and start hitting when they need it.

…sequencing. It’s a real thing.