Post by ATP on Feb 10, 2024 13:25:39 GMT -6
Weather aside, it's a spring in our step. The Aces open at Oral Roberts in Tulsa Feb. 16 for a 3-gamer against a team that lost only 1 game in the Summit last year and advanced to Omaha with a 52-14 record. One of the mid-majors that give hope to us fans who aren't linked to the SEC or ACC. Comparatively, the Summit is in no way shape-form-hope-dream as good up and down as the Valley. Oral literally dominates the Summit.
This will be a very nice test for the Aces.
We don't suck, OK?
The ORU website has all their stats and it's not likely we can glean much this early. The Orals will also play Misery State and have some games against Baylor. I do know that Jonah Cox hit .412 last year and is probably going to be a fairly high draft pick when he's eligible. He's still a junior and will probably portal out to LSU next season. Brooks Fowler INF/P is a two-way guy who will probably be their staff ace. Cade Denton is a true closer, which is rare in college ball.
JL Johnson Stadium appears to be a cozy ballpark with Astroturf on the infield. They are printing money to do a renovation on the stadium. Obviously there's an appeal to playing in the middle of Oklahoma. The venue hosts a lot of conference tournaments but in the Summit, that might be partly about the number of hotel rooms. It appears they want to walk the walk with the other Southern powers. Omaha will help with that image.
The extensive renovations will include new stadium seats, state-of-the-art locker room and player lounge, team kitchen, pitching lab, team meeting room and a fully-turfed field. The meeting room and pitching lab will be equipped with modern technology that will enhance player development.
I don't see that any of these games will be on the ESPN+ link, so we will have to rely on Livestats.
UE has a veteran team and hasn't lost much from the 2023 team. Favored in the top 3 of the Valley, if not maybe the darkhorse favorite. I'd go with favorite until proven otherwise.
Home opener Feb. 20 against Bellarmine. Maybe on that. If you follow them, they are off to Big Easy for some games on the 23rd-25th.
Braun will host the Valley tournament this year.
This will be a very nice test for the Aces.
We don't suck, OK?
The ORU website has all their stats and it's not likely we can glean much this early. The Orals will also play Misery State and have some games against Baylor. I do know that Jonah Cox hit .412 last year and is probably going to be a fairly high draft pick when he's eligible. He's still a junior and will probably portal out to LSU next season. Brooks Fowler INF/P is a two-way guy who will probably be their staff ace. Cade Denton is a true closer, which is rare in college ball.
JL Johnson Stadium appears to be a cozy ballpark with Astroturf on the infield. They are printing money to do a renovation on the stadium. Obviously there's an appeal to playing in the middle of Oklahoma. The venue hosts a lot of conference tournaments but in the Summit, that might be partly about the number of hotel rooms. It appears they want to walk the walk with the other Southern powers. Omaha will help with that image.
The extensive renovations will include new stadium seats, state-of-the-art locker room and player lounge, team kitchen, pitching lab, team meeting room and a fully-turfed field. The meeting room and pitching lab will be equipped with modern technology that will enhance player development.
I don't see that any of these games will be on the ESPN+ link, so we will have to rely on Livestats.
UE has a veteran team and hasn't lost much from the 2023 team. Favored in the top 3 of the Valley, if not maybe the darkhorse favorite. I'd go with favorite until proven otherwise.
Home opener Feb. 20 against Bellarmine. Maybe on that. If you follow them, they are off to Big Easy for some games on the 23rd-25th.
Braun will host the Valley tournament this year.
