College World Series thread

[Trots]

The CWS begins Friday. Here are the match-ups.

Friday:
Ga. Tech (51-14) vs. South Carolina (53-16)

Nebraska (47-19) vs. Clemson (52-15)

Saturday:
Notre Dame (49-16) vs. Stanford (45-16)

Texas (53-15) vs. Rice (52-12)

The championship game of this double elimination tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 22. Just for the record, I'm rooting for Stanford. Although, they've lost the last two championship games in a row.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Who are the favorites to win the tournament? I've heard Rice is expected to be the hands on favorite.

Stanford and Clemson are usually good, too.

[Trots]

Honestly, I don't know who the favorite is. Really all eight schools have been good recently. Stanford, Texas, Clemson, Tech and probably USC are probably more "traditional" powers, while Nebraska and Rice have been exceptional for the last several seasons. ND is on the verge of following the Owls and 'Huskers into the national spotlight on a regular basis. (The Irish had one of the top ranked freshman classes in the country coming into '02.)

Based on the brackets, not my bias, I'd probably take Nebraska (as they are playing at home) and Rice. I wish ND had been in the other half of the bracket, though. I really like to root for those midwest (and East) schools in baseball. They have such a huge disadvantage playing so many games on the road. However, my Cardinal baseball passion runs deeper than my desire to see ND win.

[Trots]

Tech pounded USC 11-0. Nebraska was up 7-2 over Clemson, last I checked. The Tigers' SS Khalil Greene was given the Dick Howser Award, one of about three awards given to the top player in the country.

[GiveHyzduashot]

I watched the GT game until it was 7-0, then I shut it off.

I didn't watch the Clemson/Nebraska game though.

Today's games should be good, especially Rice vs. Texas.

[Tigers#1]

Originally posted by Trots
Tech pounded USC 11-0. Nebraska was up 7-2 over Clemson, last I checked. The Tigers' SS Khalil Greene was given the Dick Howser Award, one of about three awards given to the top player in the country. :uhoh: Have you seen this kid play? I saw him last night on the Nebraska/Clemson game, and he is sweet! He had a killer 3-run home run. He's batting .482, with 26 home runs and 81 RBI's! The Padres got a great player with him, and his teammate(second round pick), Michael Johnson.

[Trots]

Clemson came back to beat Nebraska 11-10. Last night was the first time I can recall seeing Greene. As the Huskers went up early, and I was still tired from our Wings celebration, I turned the game off early. I didn't see enough of him to create an opinion. (Unless, you count the fact he doesn't put a curve in the bill of his cap, which drives me crazy. Although, I realize that doesn't have anything to do with his ability.) Greene does hold a number of ACC records, though.

Today, Stanford topped Notre Dame (4-3) and Texas beat Rice.

[Tigers#1]

Texas and Stanford are my 2 teams this year. Stanford seems like a very good-veteran team, but i don't like their offence. If Guthrie's not pitching, i'm not sure if they can win.

[Trots]

This is the first Stanford senior class to make the College World Series four straight seasons. I think between Fuld, Quentin, Cooper, O'Riordan and company they can generate enough offense to win.

They have to go through the Longhorns to make the finals, so only one of your choices can get play next Saturday.

[Tigers#1]

I meant to say Texas and Clemson.

[Trots]

#1 you may get the final you wished for. Texas is only a win away from advancing and Clemson and South Carolina are in an elimination game Friday.

I'm still hoping Stanford can take two from the Longhorns, but that isn't going to be easy. Or very likely. However, my hope remains.

[Tigers#1]

I'm pretty sure Clemson can pull it off. They only lost their last game because of the pitching performance So. Carolina had. They problably won't get it again.

I still think Stanford has a good chance to go, but i've got my fingers crossed they won't.

[Trots]

Texas did eliminate Stanford 6-5. They'll play Saturday against the Clemson/South Carolina winner. I think I'll be pulling for the Longhorns regardless.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Texas won the championship 12-6.

This is Texas's fifth title.