What's the chances for our Tennis team becoming our first official National Champions?
but Southern Cal is the #1 seed, probable Elite Eight opponent. USC may not drop a set until the Final Four. They are that good.
I do think we will get our shot at them. I think we take Duke in the Sweet 16 if LSU doesn't take them out in their regional.
We have an infinitely better chance to pitch our way to a national championship in baseball this year than win in tennis. We are top heavy, but not very deep. USC has six players that are top 100 in the nation, at one point they had three in the top 12. We have a top 10 player and a couple in the 50s and 70s.
Program to watch for that first national championship: Softball. It is a pitching dominated sport - a good pitcher can make you a national championship contender overnight. Our coach is apparently the best college pitching coach in America and will get that Jennie Finch/Cat Osterman/MonicaAbbott type pitcher at some point.
How important is pitching in softball - Look at how Monica Abbott changed Tennessee.
Monica Abbott, Tennessee 2004-2007
Her personal W-L at Tennessee:
2004: 45-10 as a freshman
2005: 50-9
2006: 44-10
2007: 50-5, national player of the year as a senior.
In the eight years prior to Abbott being a freshman, Tennessee made 1 NCAA tournament. They have made it every year since her arrival and have made four World Series (three with Abbott, where they lost the national championship series with her as a senior. Tennessee went from a nothing to a national power overnight with one pitcher. Vann will get that pitcher at some point. One that is good for 40-50 wins herself.