[guest]

I meant to say in the next to last line that if we would have scheduled a Clemson, South Carolina, etc, we would have had to win a few games to even have a record worthy of an at-large bid. And I am sorry, but wins like that are few and far between.

I would also like to note, we finished 5th in our conference. We were not in the top three and the NCAA committee doesn't look at teams that don't finish in the top three of their conference for at large bids.

So, once again, this is all moot. Give the guys their due and move on.

[bigsmooth]

no one said we deserved an at-large bid. most were talking about our weaker schedule. despite the schedule we were on the doorstep to the regionals and b/c of bad pitching we are not playing this weekend.

[Brokeback Flamer]

Just to throw a thought in the discussion: The talk seems to be about the possibility of getting an "At Large" NCAA bid. My question is this? With the POSSIBLE exception of WBB are there any other teams that would sniff an "At Large" bid in their respective sport?

[prototype]

Guest - Man up and register.

We never said anything about an at-large bid. I don't think anyone thought we should get one. We were talking about having respect for the coaches, players and the schedule.

[prototype]

As you can see - it clearly is not the worst schedule we have had. These are the same schools we have played every year since we have been Division I. Coach Royer wasn't trying to pad his win column, he is just trying to work within the variables he has. You have to look at some very important differences between then and now -

1) More Teams in the Big South - Limits the amount of games we can schedule against non-conference opponents.
2) Can't look at ODU or WF - Both have new coaches and wouldn't play us. Coach tried to get them to play us.
3) The Big South is better than it has ever been. So you have to account for not having a lot of conference gimmies.
4) We don't have lights. This is big for a lot of teams. If we have any weather, and this is Drenchburg, the games have to be moved until the next day. And we make teams play in the hottest part of the day to make sure we can get in 9 innings. No team wants to mess up their traveling plans.
5) Travel - We don't offer the best travel arrangements to come here. Lack of close major airport makes it difficult to get the bigger teams to play us here.

Here is a breakdown of the past few years schedules. You don't want me to go back any further - especially to the Al Worthington Days when we played The School for the Blind - B-Team.

[A.G.]

That is some crack research--impressive. I would be interested in particular what the non-conference RPI/SoS was during the Pastors years. The way you present it, the schedule does not look all that bad. Of course, with ACC expansion, they have to play more conference games, as well, meaning, less for us.

[ATrain]

Just to throw a thought in the discussion: The talk seems to be about the possibility of getting an "At Large" NCAA bid. My question is this? With the POSSIBLE exception of WBB are there any other teams that would sniff an "At Large" bid in their respective sport?

Yes...as a matter of fact, one did this year: GOLF...and with women's bball, we MUST win the Big South tourney...our conference is just too weak for us to get an at-large if we don't. Baseball, depending on record and SOS, has a chance at one b/c the selection committee tends to resepct the conference in that sport.

[Brokeback Flamer]

Just to throw a thought in the discussion: The talk seems to be about the possibility of getting an "At Large" NCAA bid. My question is this? With the POSSIBLE exception of WBB are there any other teams that would sniff an "At Large" bid in their respective sport?

Yes...as a matter of fact, one did this year: GOLF...and with women's bball, we MUST win the Big South tourney...our conference is just too weak for us to get an at-large if we don't. Baseball, depending on record and SOS, has a chance at one b/c the selection committee tends to resepct the conference in that sport.

AT that is right, it slipped my mind! But I still think the point is made. How many teams in how many seasons have gotten At Large bids?
PROTO - Shouldnt I be the one asking for someone to "Man UP?" Just a thought

[prototype]

LOL

[TIMSCAR20]

It has never come down to it thankfully for Women's bball but I think they could garner an at-large bid in a given year. It would be hard to have 2 Big South schools in the tourney but depending on who won the Tournament, the committee would def consider Liberty. 10 years in the tournament, a run to the sweet 16 and a perpetually in the top 50 and sometimes the top 25. All those things add up in the minds of the committee. Plus the fact that the Big South was ranked as high as 13th overall in women's hoops this year you could easily have justified a Liberty at Large. Not saying it would have happened but it is not beyond the relm of possibility.

[thesportscritic]

It has never come down to it thankfully for Women's bball but I think they could garner an at-large bid in a given year. It would be hard to have 2 Big South schools in the tourney but depending on who won the Tournament, the committee would def consider Liberty. 10 years in the tournament, a run to the sweet 16 and a perpetually in the top 50 and sometimes the top 25. All those things add up in the minds of the committee. Plus the fact that the Big South was ranked as high as 13th overall in women's hoops this year you could easily have justified a Liberty at Large. Not saying it would have happened but it is not beyond the relm of possibility.

Well at least we didn't have to go that route this past season. It can definitely happen with WBB getting a possible at large bid.

[Guest]

For your information Winthrop just beat UNCWilmington today 14-2. It could help our RPI a bit if Winthrop could make a serious run in the tourny or get to the Superegionals. Not sure of the possibilities of that. Seems like it is possible considering who they beat this year. Maybe UNCA could give Clemson a good game. You never know.

[thesportscritic]

For your information Winthrop just beat UNCWilmington today 14-2. It could help our RPI a bit if Winthrop could make a serious run in the tourny or get to the Superegionals. Not sure of the possibilities of that. Seems like it is possible considering who they beat this year. Maybe UNCA could give Clemson a good game. You never know.

Clemson will walk all over UNCA Clemson is too good of a team. But anything can happen and I would be shocked if UNCA beats Clemson but I won't be surprised because I don't see that happening.