2018 Illinois Baseball

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#28      
ilphotog
Bren hit 1 HR last night in the loss to Iowa, today he hit 2 more HR's as Illinois hung on to be Iowa.
 
#30      
ilphotog
Brutal conditions today as the Illini lost 4-2. Temp's were in the low 30's with wind chill's in the low 20's. For added fun they played a few innings with snow showers.
 
#31      
illinifaninwi
ilphotog said:
Brutal conditions today as the Illini lost 4-2. Temp's were in the low 30's with wind chill's in the low 20's. For added fun they played a few innings with snow showers.
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Not fun for anyone involved. Unfortunately losing a home series to a mediocre Iowa squad is a RPI killer. Illinois will need to pitch significantly better next weekend.
 
#32      
Fighter of the Nightman
So, forgive my ignorance of college baseball, but...

We lost two out of three at #15 Indiana this weekend after winning the Friday game. We still have three games vs. a good Michigan team (in Ann Arbor) this year, but the rest of our schedule isn't very "tough" by national standards. We are currently 25-14 (10-5). Can we make the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid still??
 
#33      
FollowTisdale
Fighter of the Nightman said:
So, forgive my ignorance of college baseball, but...

We lost two out of three at #15 Indiana this weekend after winning the Friday game. We still have three games vs. a good Michigan team (in Ann Arbor) this year, but the rest of our schedule isn't very "tough" by national standards. We are currently 25-14 (10-5). Can we make the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid still??
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College baseball tournament selection is pretty RPI heavy; Illinois is currently 48 in the RPI. 31 auto bids and 33 at- large selections. They've got some work left to do, but they have a very impressive non-conference resume and still have plenty of games left. I'm thinking they'll get in, might have a tough regional with their seeding though.
 
#34      
Fighter of the Nightman
Illini took two of three from Big Ten leader Michigan in Ann Arbor this weekend (and only lost the third game in extra innings :() ... before the series, one projection I saw had us in the "First Four Out" category. We have a three game home series vs. Nebraska left on the schedule ... probably need to sweep them to feel good.
 
#35      
illinifaninwi
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Illini took two of three from Big Ten leader Michigan in Ann Arbor this weekend (and only lost the third game in extra innings :() ... before the series, one projection I saw had us in the "First Four Out" category. We have a three game home series vs. Nebraska left on the schedule ... probably need to sweep them to feel good.
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So close to a sweep! Yes, I think they need to win all three against Nebraska to get into legitimate NCAA Tournament discussion.
 
#36      
Deleted member 645583
Glad to see Illini take the series at Michigan.

I checked the standings and was surprised to see Wisconsin doesn't have baseball team.

Isn't that un-American?

According to Wiki, the program was dropped in 1991 because of budget problems.
 
#37      
BRucks
oleoleahy51 said:
Glad to see Illini take the series at Michigan.

I checked the standings and was surprised to see Wisconsin doesn't have baseball team.

Isn't that un-American?

According to Wiki, the program was dropped in 1991 because of budget problems.
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Tough to play baseball in Wisc. in the spring. Had to cancel or reschedule lots of games.
 
#38      
Deleted member 645583
According to D1BASEBALL. com, Illinois is projected to the make the field of 64 in the post-season thanks to its recent series win against Michigan.
 
#41      
WhiteRhino
I read an interesting stat that was posted on the Indiana baseball twitter feed:

Since 2008, Illinois is second in Big Ten wins behind only Indiana. They are ahead of both Michigan and Nebraska.

I'd say Hartleb has done a great job.
 
#42      
Fighter of the Nightman
WhiteRhino said:
I read an interesting stat that was posted on the Indiana baseball twitter feed:

Since 2008, Illinois is second in Big Ten wins behind only Indiana. They are ahead of both Michigan and Nebraska.

I'd say Hartleb has done a great job.
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Absolutely. It's such a shame that we ran into defending champ Vanderbilt that year we hosted the regional a few years ago (2015?). It'd be really nice to make the Tournament this year and maybe get the bats hot and make a run!
 
#43      
illinifaninwi
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Absolutely. It's such a shame that we ran into defending champ Vanderbilt that year we hosted the regional a few years ago (2015?). It'd be really nice to make the Tournament this year and maybe get the bats hot and make a run!
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That was an incredibly tough draw in 2015. As for this year, I think the Illini are in regardless with a sweep over Nebraska. Add a win or two in the Big Ten Tournament and it's a no-doubter. Without the sweep, they may need two wins in the BTT as any loss to Nebraska at home is a RPI killer.

In regards to postseason success, a lack of dominant starting pitching may doom Illinois. Hitting is solid, defense is good (Ty Weber may disagree), and closer Joey Gerber is a legitimate Major League prospect.
 
#44      
illinifaninwi
I should add that next year's team could be better but they will likely lose Bren Spillane and Joey Gerber to the draft. The incoming recruiting class, in my opinion, is the best of Dan Hartleb's tenure.
 
#45      
Deleted member 645583
Boy, those Illinois uniforms - the white, sleeveless jersey with navy blue undershirt, navy blue cap with orange brim-- are, IMO, just about the greatest of all time, any league, any level. Except: lose the n. blue stripe down the pants. It just doesn't go; yet another Nike design flaw.

NY Yankees home unis are my all-time favorite. The simplicity!

I played some organized baseball (mostly disorganized). While I was not a star, I always felt it was important to look good.

Anyway, Illini: take the series from Nebraska.

I think Illini are on BTN tomorrow.

I only wish I were closer to Urbana-Champaign to watch all Illini in action, especially if there's a beer night.
 
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#49      
Deleted member 645583
Watching ILL v. Neb: some sloppy baseball, especially on Illini part.

I can't say I watch a lot of Big 10 baseball, but is it usually this bad?

Spillane just hit another one. Hope he returns next year.

Good luck Illini in Omaha.
 
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