June 6, 2008

Super Regional Predictions

Who we think will advance to Omaha

Sean and Phil are joined by the all-knowing, all-seeing Villanova head coach Joe Godri for predictions for this weekend’s Super Regionals.

Athens Super Regional

Sean: NC State quieted the bats of South Carolina. Georgia has played its best with its backs against the wall. Dawgs win in three.

Phil: The Bulldogs seem to play best when their backs are against the wall. Don’t be surprised to see NC State win on Friday and Georgia storm back on Saturday and Sunday to head back to Omaha.

Joe: NC State over Georgia in three. Wolfpack win a close one and the Dogs win a big one. So that leaves Sunday. The Wolves and my dear friend Elliott Avent will hold on to win 5-3 and clinch his first-ever visit to Omaha.

Baton Rouge Super Regional

Sean: What an intriguing regional. Irvine's road show that won at Texas and Wichita State last year to reach Omaha has won at Nebraska and now travels to the Bayou. LSU is back, but I'll take the Anteaters in three.

Phil: They always say that good pitching can stop good hitting. UC Irvine has an army of good arms and will stop the hot bats of the Tigers in three.

Joe: LSU over Irvine in three. My Villanova Wildcats open the season next year at LSU, so no bulletin board material from me. I wish former Big East comrade Paul Mainieri the best of luck this weekend. Beware of the Anteater here.

Cary Super Regional

Sean: Coastal gets a team it knows in its first Super Regional. That team just happens to be the second-best team in the country the past two years and my pick to win it all going into the tourney. Tar Heels get tested but move on in three. Chants continue to gain national respect.

Phil: Coastal can pound the ball, but UNC’s pitching in the big ballpark in Cary will prevail in two.

Joe: UNC over Coastal. I really want to take the Chanticleers! I really do but I can only see them winning one at best. UNC one more time in Neb.
 

Coral Gables Super Regional

Sean: Wildcats coach Andy Lopez returns to face a rival. He finds the Hurricanes to be as tough as they were when he coached at Florida. Miami slips by in three.

Phil: Miami has been so strong at home. Arizona is road-tested, winning the Ann Arbor Regional. Hurricanes survive in three.

Joe: Miami over Zona in three. Most competitive series of the weekend. Look for three very tight games but the frequent flyer miles catch up to the Cats late in Game 3.  So close that if the Canes get one bad hop I reserve the right to flip my pick. Clooooose........... Weeks scores series winning run on wild pitch in eighth inning
 

Fullerton Super Regional

Sean: Stanford won three vs. Fullerton in the regular season. And the Cardinal is 9-3 against the Titans in the postseason. Time for Fullerton to get some payback. Titans in two.

Phil: Fullerton has been solid at home and should take care of the Cardinal in two.

Joe: Fullerton over Stanford. Augie, George, or Serrano; different skippers, same results. Titians go to Omaha. In three, because the Titans never make it easy.
 

Houston Super Regional

Sean: I think I've picked Rice to win the national title two or three times in the past few years. No reason not to think the Owls can't win it, but will give the nod to A&M in three games.

Phil: Rice has good balance, especially strong pitching. The Owls take care of the Aggies in two.

Joe: Rice over A&M in three. The changing of the guard in the state of Texas has begun, but the Aggies a year away from control. Owls will Hoot once again on Omaha.

Tallahassee Super Regional

Sean: Two coaches with nearly 3,200 combined wins. Kind of makes you feel like your opinion doesn't matter much. FSU received its big scare last weekend. It gets another one this weekend, but gets by in three.

Phil: The Seminoles were shut out in their regional opener against Bucknell before exploding for 74 runs in their next four games. The Shockers were impressive in sweeping through Stillwater. I think Wichita State wins this one in three.

Joe: Florida State sweeps the Shockers!  We will all enjoy the highlight footage of Joe Carter in a Shocker uniform though! All Noles offense here.

Tempe Super Regional

Sean: The "other" FSU goes in as heavy underdogs against high-octane ASU – without its top gun. The "other" Bulldogs get big props for making it, but I don't see the Sun setting on the Devils. ASU in two.

Phil: The Sun Devils rolled through their regional and will continue that roll in the Super Regional. ASU in two.
 

Joe: ASU over Fresno State in two. Great year for the Bulldogs, but this will be a no contest down in the desert!! All Devils...............