The prospects of facing Rice in the Super Regional

As a fan who have followed this program for quite a long time, before the first NC, I can say that many years this program won the NC they were fundamentally unsound. They looked much worse than the product you see currently yet people seem to have a vision of a well oiled machine since they recall the CWS when we dominated. Truth be told, Skip's teams struggled often, if not more, many times during the regular season. Postseason is where he made his mark and got the teams to respond which created this image in many fan's minds of how well they played. However, going to the Box for most of these midweek and weekend games I recall how they struggled to find an identity and lacked any fundamentals.
That being said, Smoke has to prove he can get these kids to respond close to the same way and show he has what it takes to get these guys to play at or above their capabilities. The negativity being spewed by the bandwagoners is absurd most of the time because this mirage in their minds is just that, a mirage of how great all these teams played day in and day out. The criticism will be fair if his teams continue to not produce when the money is on the line. Until then, nothing matters regardless of where or who we play....as long as the team has their opportunity to prove themselves.

 

Tirk, I understand where you are coming from, and agree, to an extent. However, I wouldn't confuse expectations with negativism. Remember, we've been to the CWS 12 times in the past decade and a half and have won the championship 5 times. It just seems as though the Tigers always come through when they need to. That didn't quite happen this season. I think we are all searching for answers. I hope we get it together and exercise patience at the plate in the regionals and supers. If we do, we'll have a good shot at Omaha again.

ldskule: :lsup: :tigbas: :champs: :911:

 

Come through? The only thing that mattered is when they came through in the regional or the CWS which has yet to be played. So, to say we havent come through is exactly my point. People think they remember something that they have created in their minds. Sure, everyone knows about 5 NCs, thats the problem, thats all the bandwagoners remember.

 

I remember pre Skip...Jack Lamabe & Alvin Dark. We were happy then to be .500. Baseball was something that happened between football seasons. Since Skip, we've been much, much, much better. Regional & CWS appearances are commonplace and championships are frequent. Those are now the expectations of the fans. If this team does not live up to those expectations, the fans' complaints should not be construed as negativism. We now EXPECT to be in the CWS. That's the price of success.

ldskule: :geaux: :tigbas: :911:

 

No one said we shouldnt expect to be there...but see, we are in a regional and that hope is there. The negativity being spewed is already out there....and mostly uncalled for. I have those expectations yet I am not bashing the coach or the players or making analogies that are false saying, Skip's teams were better fundamentally or stepped up in the SEC trny moreso than the current team because I remember the teams looking much worse and having 'no heart' so to speak until the CWS or regional. Thats exactly my point.

 

lol I agree.