Winning like this can (SHOULD) be the norm here

[backinky2018]

UK has state of the art facilities and should be able to recruit northern kids to the northernmost SEC school.

UK has a fanbase that will show up and support a winner (see last night).

UK has an advantage b/c if you can get to the point of hosting a regional you generally get to host Big 10 teams, MAC teams, and a random other team. This is easier than schools in the south who typically get stuck hosting ACC teams or powerful Texas teams (TCU, Tx Tech, et al). UK had a tough regional field this weekend, but it was a regional where UK was probably the most talented team. This doesn't happen when UK is playing SEC or top tier ACC teams.

 

[RogerIndy]

I agree, but the SEC is an awful tough conference to play in. Although Tennessee turned their program around VERY quickly, I don't see why we couldn't. Mississippi State on the other hand, won the CWS two years ago and hasn't been in the NCAA 64 since.

 

[Cats8585]

Probably a little strong to predict Kentucky to host a regional often. I do like your point about the draw, though. When we host, we should get some very beatable teams due to geography.

 

[CB3UK]

Missouri is the northernmost SEC school. They're the yankees, not us.

 

[Jdhays21]

This is the one sport where you can add big time talent just recruiting the state. I’d like to see Mingione make it more of a priority.

 

[RogerIndy]

Missouri is the northernmost SEC school. They're the yankees, not us.

The difference in latitude is very small. If you were to draw a line on a map due west from Lexington, it would pass 63 miles south of Columbia. KPP is at latitude 38.01861, and Mizzou's stadium is at 38.93557. The difference is 0.91696 degrees of latitude, or 63 miles (1 degree = 69 miles). So yes, Missouri is the northernmost SEC school, but only by 63 miles. Sorry, I was an engineering major at UK. I can't just leave it alone.

 

[CB3UK]

The difference in latitude is very small. If you were to draw a line on a map due west from Lexington, it would pass 63 miles south of Columbia. KPP is at latitude 38.01861, and Mizzou's stadium is at 38.93557. The difference is 0.91696 degrees of latitude, or 63 miles (1 degree = 69 miles). So yes, Missouri is the northernmost SEC school, but only by 63 miles. Sorry, I was an engineering major at UK. I can't just leave it alone.

And yet, I'm still correct.

 

[vhcat70]

Can't people just be happy we're still in it & worry about the other stuff in another few weeks?

 

[RogerIndy]

And yet, I'm still correct.

Yes, you are. I just had to do the math a verify it for myself. I am a geek.

 

[KingofHedgehogs]

UK has state of the art facilities and should be able to recruit northern kids to the northernmost SEC school.

UK has a fanbase that will show up and support a winner (see last night).

UK has an advantage b/c if you can get to the point of hosting a regional you generally get to host Big 10 teams, MAC teams, and a random other team. This is easier than schools in the south who typically get stuck hosting ACC teams or powerful Texas teams (TCU, Tx Tech, et al). UK had a tough regional field this weekend, but it was a regional where UK was probably the most talented team. This doesn't happen when UK is playing SEC or top tier ACC teams.

Regardless of recruiting, baseball will always be somewhat of a crapshoot, even more than other sports. Teams like Vandy and Arky? That can be great all year long? Look what happened. That's common.

Don't get me wrong, it's good to have great recruiting....but don't think it's as big of an impact as football or basketball. Successful baseball is 80% coaching, development, and game planning....and 20% talent.

Go look at USC after they won their two championships and how the program fell off for a while despite still having great recruiting.

 

[backinky2018]

I agree, but the SEC is an awful tough conference to play in. Although Tennessee turned their program around VERY quickly, I don't see why we couldn't. Mississippi State on the other hand, won the CWS two years ago and hasn't been in the NCAA 64 since.

Yea, it's never going to be easy. The SEC is harder in baseball than it is in football, and that's saying something.

But, we do have some built in advantages if we can continue to recruit good players here.

 

[backinky2018]

Regardless of recruiting, baseball will always be somewhat of a crapshoot, even more than other sports. Teams like Vandy and Arky? That can be great all year long? Look what happened. That's common.

Don't get me wrong, it's good to have great recruiting....but don't think it's as big of an impact as football or basketball. Successful baseball is 80% coaching, development, and game planning....and 20% talent.

Go look at USC after they won their two championships and how the program fell off for a while despite still having great recruiting.

Fair points, though you have to have good players to win in this league. But, where I think you're right is that recruiting good players doesn't guarantee anything. Throw in the draft, and there are a lot of moving parts

 

[Rivals_Defender]

The SEC is top heavy with South Carolina and LSU being the top dogs.
Mississippi State, Arkansas and Texas A&M coming after those
UK, Tennessee, Florida rounding out the top 8 IMO.

 

[sluggercatfan]

The SEC is top heavy with South Carolina and LSU being the top dogs.
Mississippi State, Arkansas and Texas A&M coming after those
UK, Tennessee, Florida rounding out the top 8 IMO.

That's just this year...where do you put
Vandy? You do realize this is only the 2nd super UK has ever been to and the ONLY SEC school to have never participated in the CWS.
With breaking all attendance records this tournament it has shown what many on here have said for a long, long time...
UK FANS will support, and would love to have a competitive baseball program every year. Hopefully, this is the first brick in having that become a reality. GO CATS BABY!

 

[Lukasz0brzut]

If we can figure out a way to make the program consistent in the regionals then hopefully students start to show through the season.

 

[sluggercatfan]

If we can figure out a way to make the program consistent in the regionals then hopefully students start to show through the season.

They will, l think it may take something like "The Cliff" to make that happen.

 

[maysvilleky]

This is the one sport where you can add big time talent just recruiting the state. I’d like to see Mingione make it more of a priority.

IU had at least 2 KY kids and a freshman from Cincy that I would have liked to have on UK’s roster.

 

[backinky2018]

The SEC is top heavy with South Carolina and LSU being the top dogs.
Mississippi State, Arkansas and Texas A&M coming after those
UK, Tennessee, Florida rounding out the top 8 IMO.

Yea, this just isn't accurate.

LSU is definitely the top dog, but Vandy and Florida are right on their heels. Arkansas is right there in terms of Omaha and high rankings (though they haven't won a title and sometimes flame out early in the tourney).

The Mississippi schools are tradition rich. A&M is a very good baseball school. Tennessee is now a powerhouse. South Carolina was great earlier this century, but has dropped considerably.

UK is definitely ahead of Mizzou, and probably ahead of Georgia. UK is right there with Auburn and Alabama. But otherwise, UK is def behind Florida, Vandy, UT, South Carolina, LSU, Arkansas, A&M, and the Mississippi schools.

 

[maysvilleky]

Tradition wise UK is way down on the SEC list. But there’s no reason they can’t push for top half of the league going forward.

 

[sluggercatfan]

IU had at least 2 KY kids and a freshman from Cincy that I would have liked to have on UK’s roster.

U6 feast off Kentucky Kids from all areas of the Commonwealth.