LSU vs. Univ of Houston Pre-Series Talk (or General Basball Chat)

Guys,

I'm sure most of you could give a damn about LSU taking on a 2-win UH team this weekend (or, at least, not see much reason for concern or excitement), but this may be my only chance to see the boys take the field this year (unless I go to Omaha, of course).

Any thoughts or observations on the games played so far, things for me as an observer to focus on, etc?

For example, UH gave Rice a pretty good series earlier this week, pushing them twice before falling in late innings. The Cougars are traditionally a gritty team, so I expect the games to be competitive.

Thanks in advance for your comments. :tigbas:

 

Right now LSU, Tulane and ULL are a combined like 21-0 on the young season. The Tigers have a very good ballclub. They are deep and talented and have a plethora of arms and I don't think expecting a return trip to Omaha is expecting too much. Tulane looks to have a very solid team, obviously being ranked #1, and many think maybe even better than the Wave's last CWS team. Sweeping Arizona State this past weekend was very impressive. Louisiana Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux, who was an assistant at ULL in 2000 when the Cajuns went to the CWS, said that this ULL team is better than that team. So this is shaping up to be a decent year for the big schools in Louisiana. Unfortunately, most of the smaller schools with the exception maybe of ULM or McNeese, don't appear to be too good. Tech isn't very good, Nicholls is weak, Northwestern doesn't appear to be as strong, Centenary is terrible and so is Grambling. Haven't heard or seen much on Southern or SLU.

 

my key observation thus far in the season about the tigers is that they seem to be severely lacking in the character department. for example, they got up 12-0 on UALR after 2 innings, in typical tiger fashion. however, in very atypical tiger fashion, a few innings later, UALR was within 1 pitch of tying the game. fortunately, that didn't happen. LSU seemed to fall apart...walking numerous hitters, making errors, and a general lack of effort all around after the big lead. traditionally, after the boys get up that much that early, its all down hill...the game would be over before you know it. this team seems to have serious issues with that. and there is no way you can excpect to beat a tulane or az st. like that. i hate to say it, but don't be surprised if LSU returns home with a blemish on their record after this weekend.

 

Don't fret over early games, especially wins. Smoke is notorious for tinkering with his lineup in early games. In many of those games he substituted freely in order to get a feel for how some of the younger players would respond and whether he can count on them to provide quality depth. Also he changes pitchers frequently to specifically get a look and feel for those pitchers in certain situations. Smoke was quoted today by saying, "We're good, but we're not there yet." And Smoke doesn't dole out compliments willy-nilly, so he and most everyone else knows this team is loaded. The Tigers have a number of backups who would be starting at other schools.

 

Actually, ULL should have a loss but the game was suspended in the top of the 8th with Sam Houston State leading 8-6, I believe. The game will be completed when SHS visits Lafayette.

 

I think some fans really don't pay close attention to college baseball, and in particular, LSU baseball. They just check out the final score and wonder how a bad team played LSU close or beat them.

Smoke does it just like Skip did at this time of the year ... this is their spring training and they will juggle the starting lineup, substitute liberally, and try different pitching combinations in a game. This is the time of year you try to figure out who can help you when SEC play starts.

The casual observer thinks you should play your best 9 and do everything possible to win all the early games. Those who have followed this program for a long time understand we may lose some early games (and midweek games) for the sake of being prepared when it really counts.

It worked for Skip and it's working for Smoke ... all Smoke needs to do is figure how to win in Omaha!

 

to the best of my knowledge, smoke juggles the line-up throughout the season...something that REALLY, REALLY bothered me a lot last year. he kept the same players in there, just constantly switched the order around. don't get it...

 

and we made it to Omaha! If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

:tigbas: I think he's trying to keep from falling into a hole if one of the guys gets seriously hurt. Remember A. Hill trying to play 3rd? Or Theriot pitching? Or the numerous times we've been without a solid SS? Utility players in college ball are key. Outfielders and Infielders.

 

Info on the Houston series this weekend...

SERIES FACTS -- #2 LSU Fighting Tigers (7-0) at Houston Cougars (2-6)

DATES/TIMES: Friday, Feb. 25 -- 7 p.m. CST; Saturday, Feb. 26 -- 3 p.m. CST; Sunday, Feb. 27 -- 1 p.m. CST

STADIUM: Cougar Field (3,500)

RANKINGS: LSU (#2 Baseball America, #2 ESPN/Sports Weekly, #3 Collegiate Baseball); Houston (unranked)

RADIO: Friday and Sunday statewide on LSU Sports Network (WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge); Saturday in Baton Rouge only (WTGE 107.3 FM)

INTERNET: Radio broadcast and live stats of all three games at www.LSUsports.net

TV: Saturday statewide on Jumbo Sports Network (Cable Ch. 6 in Baton Rouge); Sunday statewide on Jumbo Sports Network (Cable Ch. 3 in Baton Rouge)

SERIES RECORD: Houston leads, 21-14 (series began in 1975)

PITCHING MATCHUPS

Game 1
LSU -- Sr. LHP Lane Mestepey (2-0, 0.66 ERA, 13.2 IP, 1 BB, 9 SO)
UH -- So. RHP Brad Lincoln (0-1, 5.84 ERA, 12.1 IP, 5 BB, 8 SO)

Game 2
LSU -- So. LHP Clay Dirks (2-0, 3.27 ERA, 11.0 IP, 3 BB, 9 SO)
UH -- TBA

Game 3
LSU -- Jr. LHP Greg Smith (2-0, 3.38 ERA, 10.2 IP, 3 BB, 15 SO)
UH -- TBA