I agree that it started to slip during this time, and I believe it had much to do with the bat restrictions and the super regional format. Skip built a dynasty in the 90s on the long ball and solid pitching. We weren't always the most fundamental team ... rarely bunted, didn't steal many bases, or even play great defense at times ... but overcame this with a powerful offense and pitching. The bat changes happened in 1999, which ended gorilla ball. Skip also taught us that midweek games weren't really that important, which is why so many of us still say that to this day. He used them more as practice games to prepare for the SEC and the postseason, as well as to prepare his young pitchers for the following year. But the SR format changed the importance of the midweek games, as it is now critical to win as many games possible to get a top 8 seed. The SR format changed in 1999 as well. Smoke's challenge is to take what he learned from Skip and adapt it to fit today's game of college baseball. IMO, Smoke is still struggling to find his own system that will work at LSU. Just my opinion...
What difference does it make? You win the regional, you get into a Super Regional. If you are not a top 8 seed, you likely beat one of them to get out of the Regional so the host spot is an option.
Well, since the SR format started, LSU is 0-3 on the road and 3-0 hosting ... enough said. I am not sure I understand this point. There are 16 sub regional sites, so 8 sites won't have a top 8 seed. If LSU is not a top 8 seed and host a sub regional this year, LSU will not play a top 8 seed in the sub regional.
And, of course it's those exact same players that will be playing this year. I will concede that point. Still, it's a playoff. Get into a Regional, get hot at the right time and those midweek losses mean nothing.
I would like to point out that if the Boston Red Sox can be the first team in MLB history to win the pennant in a 7 game series after starting out 0-3 . . . and do this by winning the last four games against the NY Yankees, then this LSU baseball team this year can get hot and win the CWS.
When Tulane actually can get to the CWS Final game....then someone tell me their "program" is better. BTW, that isnt directed at anyone just more of a Tulane jab
