THEY ELIMINATED THREE SEC TEAMS!!!!!!

Ahead of tonight's Game 1 of the CWS Finals between Vanderbilt and UVa, Ferber has our preview of the rematch.

Link: CWS Finals preview

Waddell threw 104 pitches on 3 days rest and shuts down Vandy after giving up two runs in the 1st. Kirby struck out five batters in the last two innings. Smith was the hitting hero with a two-run home run and a RBI single. He and Towns made some excellent plays on defense.

Thought you guys might be interested in this...

Link: NCAA proposes new NBA Draft rule to allow early entrants back in school

Getting set to go at 8 p.m. out in Omaha. Updates coming shortly.

Have at it, folks...

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While academic reputation, athletic facilities, graduation rates, are helpful, it is winning consistently, going to bowl games, and getting players prepared for the pros that are most important to the vast majority of high school athletes. This is a concept that Littlepage either does not understand or is not willing to admit.

I was on the home page and noticed that Duke got a commitment from a 4-star LB. So I looked at the lists from Duke, Va Tech and Virginia. Duke has 5 - 4star recruits, Va Tech and Virginia have zero. Now I understand our position with a less than adequate coaching staff and the uncertainty of the future. I even somewhat understand Va Tech with the probability that Beamer is out in the next few years and the uncertainty of what follows. But Duke, 5 -4stars, that is a huge upgrade over previous years. Horrible facilities, horrible attendance, yet they are recruiting with or better than the upper tier of the ACC (exception Fla State, Miami, Clemson). We have had very few years when we recruited at that level, even when we were somewhat good. And yes, I think their coach is very good, but still!! We just had a thread on this board about the football facilities and keeping up with Va Tech and the others to be able to recruit. Well this points to the only really important factor is the reputation of the coach and winning on the field. And Duke is better but they still haven't won the ACC or gone to a major bowl. So what gives? Kind of destroys all those theories we all so strongly believe in!

Just looking for some opinions and some answers!

Woodruff was honored before the game for having the highest GPA of any player in the CWS. His 3.75 GPA is not bad for a mechanical engineering major. He responded by starting his first game in several weeks by going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI. Well done!

Brad, I know he visited MSU on Monday. Do you know when we should expect a decision from him? Also, how are you feeling about our chance? Some rumblings last week that we were the team to beat.

UVA was led at the plate by Clement and Woodruff. I am really proud of these guys.

Good stuff from Jacey on four-star guard Markelle Fultz. I've been sort of down on UVa's chances in this one but over the court of the last week or so, I've been getting better vibes from my Virginia sources. It'll be interesting to see where thing go once he released his cuts.

Link: Fultz planning to narrow his list soon

Last night's CWS game against Vanderbilt had a 2:00 am start in my time zone. I did my best to stay awake, but I fell asleep with us down 3-0. When I woke up this morning, I went to this board to find out what happened, but there was NOTHING. There were no threads from anyone on the game or the result. The last game thread update was from the 7th inning and then everything stopped. It was as if a social media bomb had gone off. Is it a sign that the fans feel that the cinderella story is coming to an end? It is the CWS after all and this struck me as very odd.

Thought you guys would want to see these video packages from camp ...

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Have at it folks!

Wanting to get everyone's opinion on this. Way I see it is Vandy has a huge advantage over us going into the finals this year. Their Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday starters all are fully rested and ready. If Waddell and Sborz were fully rested I think we could take them, and avenge last year.

I've only seen four reliable pitchers for us this year... Sborz, Jones, Waddell, and early-season form Kirby. Haseley looked pretty good at end of season but hasn't pitched in a month. Rest of pen has been hit or miss--unreliable. So Monday we are set up with a rested Jones followed maybe by Sborz on three days rest after working four innings. Kirby has only three days rest on Tuesday, and Waddell only three days rest on Wednesday.

Kirby didn't pitch very deep Friday, but needs to shake off two terrible third innings in a row in the CWS. Not sure how ready Waddell will be on such short rest or how long the coaches will let him go withhout risking him. I know Waddell shut down this same Vandy team last year. How much will they let Sborz pitch on short rest?

Lots of questions for Kuhn and BOC to figure out, if they do it will be one of the best coaching jobs of all time in the tourney I'd say. One thing for sure, for us to win it, some other guys in the pen will need to step it up big time.

Hoos features on NCAA official web site, video of interviews during batting practice

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/baseball/d1

Each year the Pursuit of Perfection Leadership Award is given to seniors based on academics, athletics, extra-curricular activities, and community service. This year thirty seniors were honored. Seven of these will be attending UVA; two each will go to ND, VCU, VPI, WF, and W&L; and the remaining will attend thirteen different schools.

LSU coach takes award. Got it! No further response.

it appears that in addition to Guy, Huff, and Jerome, that Bennett would like to add a big from Chukwu, Cook, and Diakite and a wing from Fultz, Gabriel, Johnson, Washington, and Waters. I believe that he would add a third from this group of eight if they wanted to commit. Then, if we added Coleman in 2017, we would be in good shape for several years. I would be very happy with this scenario.

Hey Brad, it seems like both Washington and possibly USC might already have 12 scholarship players for 2016-17 season. I might be wrong about that but if that is true then I think that's even more positive news for us especially if Diakite wants to make a decision by the end of summer. Thoughts?

I'm guessing the staff tried to close on Chukwu, probably gave Johnson the "we like you but we want to see more of you before offering" talk, and put forth their best effort to stay in the game for Barcello and Young.

Starting off Championship Saturday here in the back gym for the Bulls and Cavs (Matt Coleman, Markelle Fultz). I'm glad I get to see this one as I've been trying to get a look at Mike Okauru from 2017.

Updates to follow...