UCLA beats NCSU in the CWS, Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The UCLA baseball team is right where it wants to be, sitting one win shy of the College World Series finals after beating NC State in the winners bracket tonight.

The Bruins and Wolfpack both won their respective openers to get to today’s game, but only one could come out on top and remain unbeaten in Omaha. The importance of the contest can’t be understated, as the loser will be relegated to winning three straight games to make the championship series.

But thanks to a stellar outing from starter Nick Vander Tuig and some timely offensive production, UCLA was able to edge NCSU and improve to 2-0 in the tournament. With the win, the Bruins join Mississippi State as the favorites to advance to the finals, and will be off until Friday night.

Despite giving up an early lead, Vander Tuig (13-4) was absolutely dominant for the Bruins, pitching 7.0 innings of one-run baseball. The junior righty allowed just four hits with no walks and six Ks, showing again why the San Francisco Giants snatched him up in the sixth round of the MLB Draft.

After giving up a lead-off single in the eighth, Vander Tuig took the bench and All-American closer David Berg came on to go to work. Things got a little hairy when a potential three-run homer was secured on the warning track by left fielder Christoph Bono, but nothing came of it in the end. Other than that, it was smooth sailing to the finish for Berg’s 23rd save, tying the sophomore for the most in a single season in NCAA history.

It was another hallmark performance for the UCLA pitching staff, which has now gotten CWS wins from Vander Tuig and Adam Plutko, in spite of limited contributions from the offense.

Against the Wolfpack, the Bruins tallied a total of five hits, two of which came during the fifth inning when UCLA broke through for the decisive 2-1 lead. Five walks issued by NCSU pitchers, one of which got things going for the rally, also helped the cause. Sophomore 3B Kevin Kramer led the way offensively, going 1-for-3 with a walk and the only RBI of the game for the Bruins. It was far from perfect for UCLA, but at this point in the season, a win’s a win anyway you can get it.

And so the trend of nerve-racking, down-to-the-wire victories continues for UCLA. The Bruins don’t hit well, and they don’t fill out a highlight reel, but they do get the job done. The pundits may continue to detract from UCLA’s style under head coach John Savage, but the Bruins themselves just keep winning.

UCLA gets to enjoy a two day rest before its next game, which’ll be on Friday against the winner of NC State and No. 1 North Carolina. The Pack already took out the Tar Heels once in Omaha, but the stakes in an elimination game are completely different. Whichever squad survives will have to beat the Bruins twice to advance to the finals, a tall task with Grant Watson and Plutko ready to take the mound.

There’s still a lot of baseball to be played, but one thing is for certain—UCLA is three wins away from its first ever College World Series championship. If the Bruins can keep forcing teams to play their slowed down style, there’s no reason to believe national title No. 109 couldn’t come to Westwood next week.

Randall Goforth pursues the Nebraska ball carrier, Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

As the college football season inches closer by the day, the anticipation for UCLA’s opener vs. Nevada at the Rose Bowl will continue to build.

A traditional part of that preseason excitement—at least for sports writers—is to project and predict anything and everything for the coming season. From win-loss picks to position battle previews, the wealth of potential stories is enormous this time of year. Today, we’ll dip our feet in those waters for the first time with a roster projection of the UCLA secondary.

The Bruins welcome back two safeties with significant starting experience in sophomore Randall Goforth and redshirt junior Dietrich Riley, but the CB positions will likely be manned by first-year players. In addition to a pair of talented returners ready to make an impact, UCLA will bring in four 4-star defensive backs, two of whom will play corner.

Regardless of the combination Jim Mora goes with, the secondary will be short on experience next season. The skill and athleticism should be an upgrade compared to the departed senior class, but youth can always get ugly on the football field. That’s not to say the Bruins can’t succeed with a completely green defensive backfield, but it will definitely be a critical story line to watch with this team.

Without further ado, here’s the projected starting secondary for UCLA in 2013.

Cornerback: Ishmael Adams

When Ishmael Adams signed with UCLA in 2012, he was pegged as the cornerback of the future for the Bruins. But after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in September, Adams was forced to sit and watch a year of his college career pass by. Thankfully, he was granted a redshirt despite seeing the field before his injury, so he has four seasons of eligibility remaining.

Given the graduation of both starting CBs from 2012, the door is wide open for Adams to step up and take over. Listed at a slight 5’8″, 185 pounds on the UCLA roster, Adams doesn’t have the size expected of a true cover corner. But that didn’t stop him from wreaking havoc at Oaks Christian and in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Barring another physical setback, I would be shocked if Adams doesn’t top the depth chart for the season opener in August. This highlight reel gives a glimpse of what this kid is capable of, and the explosiveness he possesses as an athlete.

Free Safety: Randall Goforth

The only returning defensive back who started a game in 2012 is rising sophomore safety Randall Goforth, a former 3-star recruit out of Long Beach Poly. As a true freshman, Goforth became a crucial reserve for the Bruins, often bringing fresh legs to back up Andrew Abbott and Tevin McDonald. Goforth started five games last season, including the Holiday Bowl loss to Baylor after McDonald was suspended for violating team rules.

Now, following McDonald’s dismissal from the team and Abbott’s graduation, Goforth will be thrust into not only a starting spot, but also a leadership role. Some projected Goforth to make the switch to CB this season, but given the lack of experience available to choose from, he’ll likely stick with safety.

His knowledge of the play book and field time with the rest of the UCLA defense make him a viable candidate for free safety. And considering he is more adept in coverage than in run support, that seems like his destination. From center field, Goforth will have the responsibility of calling out coverage schemes, keeping his young corners locked in and providing the last line of defense for the Bruins. If he can show the kind of improvement he did in his first go-around, Goforth could become a reliable anchor point in the UCLA secondary in 2013.

Dietrich Riley, Credit: USA Today Sports Images

Strong Safety: Dietrich Riley*

You may be wondering why there’s an asterisk after Dietrich Riley‘s name, but if you think about it, the answer is pretty obvious. Riley is returning from a devastating spinal injury that occurred over 1.5 years ago, so his ability to step into a starting job is surrounded with questions. I believe that he will start against Nevada if he can stay healthy and get back to full speed on the field. But needless to say, that’s a big if.

In his first two seasons in Westwood, Riley built a reputation as a physical safety with a knack for heavy hitting. He created a few YouTube masterpieces with some bone-crushing blows, and became a fan-favorite quickly. However, after going down in October 2011, his future at UCLA was left hanging in the balance.

A successful surgery and recovery has brought Riley to the verge of a valiant return, but the hardest work is left to be done. Riley will need to get himself into game shape again, which includes delivering some pop against the run from the strong safety position. Assuming everything goes smoothly through summer camp, I fully expect Riley to get the nod when UCLA takes the field this fall. Until then though, he is stuck with an asterisk of uncertainty.

Cornerback: Priest Willis

While I expect a redshirt freshman to take the reins at one CB spot, the other will probably be filled by a true freshman like Priest Willis. Aside from late-addition Eddie Vanderdoes, Willis is the prized cow of the 2013 recruiting class. His game is projected to the cornerback position at the college level, which fits nicely with UCLA’s biggest need next season. Willis’ value as a pure athlete is enough to land him a starting role, but it’s the specifics of his skill set that have fans excited for his arrival.

Unlike Adams, Willis doesn’t have elite abilities in deep coverage, though he has flashed excellent ball skills when contesting receivers in the air. Rather, Willis brings a physical, bump-and-run brand of football to the table, something the Bruins haven’t had in years.

With Adams locking down the opposition’s No. 1 vertical threat and Willis jamming the under routes, UCLA could have a lethal pair of CBs in 2013. However, as is always the concern with inexperience, their ability to transition to the game at this level will tell the tale in the end. At this point, Willis seems a clear-cut favorite to get first look on the edge alongside Adams come camp.

Think I missed a pick? Don’t hesitate to voice your opinion in the comment section below!

Devin Lucien made some spectacular catches in his short time as a Bruin, like this catch against Nebraska, Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Let me start off by saying this—UCLA wideout Devin Lucien is an absolute stud.

Unfortunately, he broke his clavicle against the Colorado Buffaloes which ended his season early last year. But in the short time we did see him, he produced some spectacular catches (like the one pictured versus Nebraska).

When you have a guy like Lucien, who’s quick as a cat, has great bounce and stands at 6′ tall, it’s a very valuable weapon. Especially with a mastermind like Brett Hundley in control of the offense.

Lucien reminds me a lot of UCLA teammate Shaq Evans. Both Bruins have breakaway speed and great hands, which is a necessity if you’re playing WR for a standout QB like Hundley. Personally, I’m ecstatic to see a full season of Lucien and Evans because these guys are a highlight reel waiting to happen. Watching these two will be like watching Atlanta Falcons recievers Roddy White and Julio Jones, who are both vertical threats liable to explode at any minute.

For Lucien, he’ll likely be running downfield on fades or posts most of the time, though he’ll probably be targeted on slants too so he can make a play on designed dump-offs. Lucien is also a great teammate, a trait that always makes a difference on the gridiron.

The team comes first for Lucien, which means that he’ll make the extra effort to propel the Bruins to victory. Whether it’s fighting for yards after the catch or helping block downfield, you can bet Lucien will be out there trying to help the team win. It’s always nice to have that personality in your offense.

Look for Devin Lucien to be a go-to guy when UCLA needs a score. Watching Hundley throw it up top to Lucien will be a sight to see, and should be a common connection this fall. Get excited Bruin fans!

Cristoph Bono celebrates scoring the go-ahead run vs. LSU in the CWS, Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 College World Series started off about as well as it could have for UCLA. Not only did the Bruins take down No. 4 LSU in their opening round game, but No. 1 North Carolina was also sent to the losers bracket by rival NC State, leaving a wide open field in front of them.

That means that UCLA—a team with very strong pitching and experience in Omaha— is just two wins away from returning to the CWS Championship Series. The Bruins advanced to the finals in 2010, but lost to South Carolina in two games to end up runner up. If UCLA can get past the Wolfpack tonight, this could be the year that the Bruins finally finish and claim the program’s first ever CWS title.

But of course, NC State won’t be looking to slip into the losers bracket without a fight. The Wolfpack, led by stud hurler Carlos Rodon, just took down their biggest rival and the top-seeded team in the country to get where they are. If the NCSU offense can continue to produce like it has of late, head coach Elliott Avent‘s team won’t be an easy out for any opponent.

Carlos Rodon, Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

However, the good news for UCLA is that Rodon has already gone. With the NC State ace resting harmlessly in the dugout, the Bruins will get a chance against someone else from the Wolfpack rotation. Just who that’ll be is somewhat unclear, as Avent has mixed up his starters throughout the season, but it’s a relief it won’t be Rodon.

The most likely candidates are Ethan Ogburn or Brad Stone, the two Pack pitchers with the most starts behind Rodon. Ogburn has the numbers of a No. 2 starter with an ERA of 2.70, but his 5-3 record in 12 starts is unremarkable. Stone has a much larger ERA at 5.28, though his 59 strikeouts in 58 innings shows power that could be trouble.

No matter which NC State player takes the mound, he won’t be at Rodon’s level. So unless the offense can really dig in and establish itself against UCLA’s Nick Vander Tuig, the Wolfpack might be in danger without their best weapon in action. In that sense, you could say the Tar Heels took a bullet—or more like a heat-seeking missile—for the Bruins.

Getting to Ogburn, Stone or whoever takes the bump early will be key for UCLA, especially if the current trend of living on the edge offensively continues. The Bruins have won their last two games—both against favored national seeds—without registering a single earned run. UCLA batted a combined .186 (11-59) over the course of those games, a gruesome statistic that includes eight Ks against LSU.

But this kind of baseball is nothing new for John Savage and his team. The Bruins thrive when the pace is slowed and pitching takes over, allowing them to put pressure on the opposition and force mistakes. Because UCLA rarely commits errors in the field, or misses an important pitch, this grind-it-out style works. It’s not flashy, and it won’t fill up any stat sheets, but it gives the Bruins a chance to win.

Eric Filia has had success at the plate this postseason, Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, we’d all love UCLA to start swinging some strong bats. The fact that no Bruin is batting over .300 tells you how stagnant the offense can become. But if they can keep finding a way on base, sacrificing and manufacturing runs, it should be enough for the pitching staff to bring it home.

Should UCLA come out on top against NC State, the Bruins would improve to 2-0 in the CWS and put themselves one win away from advancing. They would get a long rest waiting to play the team that survives the elimination gauntlet, and would only need to win 1-of-2 to clinch.

On the other hand, a loss to the Pack would put UCLA on the brink of destruction, setting up a meeting with the winner of LSU vs. UNC in an elimination game. From there, the Bruins would have to win three straight games to survive. It goes without saying where they’d rather be, but it’s up to them to get there.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 PM PST on Tuesday at TD Ameritrade Park, following the elimination game between the Tigers and Heels at noon. By the end of the day, we’ll know if a CWS crown is a legitimate possibility for UCLA, or if the Bruins are destined to depart Omaha dreaming.

Make sure to follow GJB on Twitter (@GoJoeBruinUCLA) for UCLA baseball and CWS updates, during the game and throughout the week! Let’s go Bruins!

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]]> http://gojoebruin.com/2013/06/14/last-chance-to-win-a-lg-electronics-42-inch-led-tv-from-fansided-and-go-joe-bruin/feed/ 0 http://gojoebruin.com/2013/06/13/college-world-series-bracket-challenge-win-500-ncaa-shop-gift-card/ http://gojoebruin.com/2013/06/13/college-world-series-bracket-challenge-win-500-ncaa-shop-gift-card/#comments Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:15:33 +0000 Jeff Poirier http://gojoebruin.com/?p=3447 Are you getting pumped to watch the UCLA baseball team in Omaha this weekend? Well there’s no better way to follow the College World Series than with a good old-fashioned bracket challenge. The NCAA-sanctioned Facebook event, hosted by official partner Northwestern Mutual, is just like a typical March Madness bracket pool. You create a bracket, make your [...]

College World Series Bracket Challenge: Win $500 NCAA Shop Gift Card - Go Joe Bruin - Go Joe Bruin - A UCLA Bruins Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

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Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Are you getting pumped to watch the UCLA baseball team in Omaha this weekend? Well there’s no better way to follow the College World Series than with a good old-fashioned bracket challenge. The NCAA-sanctioned Facebook event, hosted by official partner Northwestern Mutual, is just like a typical March Madness bracket pool. You create a bracket, make your picks and sit back to watch the drama unfold.

To make the pot a little sweeter, a Grand Prize winner will be randomly selected from among the four highest bracket point totals and will win a $500 online gift certificate to the NCAA Shop, and one additional randomly selected winner will receive a $100 gift card.

If you want to get in on the action, follow this link, accept the privacy requirements and start picking winners. But don’t wait too long—the deadline for entering your bracket is Saturday, June 15 at 12 PM PT.

The CWS features eight teams in a double-elimination format, beginning with two four-team brackets akin to the Regional round. The two teams that survive the respective brackets will face off in a best-of-three series to determine the 2013 NCAA champion.

For a complete preview of the teams in this year’s CWS bracket, click here! This is a must-read to get the scoop on the Bruins’ competition before you make your picks. Only three of the eight national seeds made it to Omaha this season, so there’s plenty of uncertainty surrounding the field. Don’t be left in the dark when first pitch goes out on Saturday!

Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 College World Series is almost upon us. Eight teams will enter, each with its own action-packed path to Omaha, but only one can be crowned champion.

UCLA comes into the tournament on a hot streak, winning five straight postseason games to punch its ticket, but every other team has had its share of success too. The Bruins will likely be underdogs in their first game against No. 4 LSU, and could be facing ACC powers NC State or top-seeded North Carolina shortly thereafter.

To get a better idea of what UCLA is up against in Omaha, read on for a complete, team-by-team preview of the 2013 CWS field. Best case scenario, the Bruins would only face one of the four teams from the top bracket, and that would be in the championship series.

But just for your edification—and to help you fill out your bracket challenge entry—each of UCLA’s seven CWS counterparts is broken down below. And just in case any of you readers aren’t UCLA fans, I threw in a breakdown of the Bruins as well. Here we go!

No. 1 North Carolina

UNC dog piles after clinching a CWS berth, Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Record: 57-10

Postseason Record: 9-2

Standings: ACC Regular Season and Tournament Champion

RPI: 1

Key Player(s): DH Colin Moran, LHP Kent Emanuel

Notes: For most of the season, North Carolina hovered around the top of the rankings, competing with Vanderbilt for the top spot. But after sweeping the ACC regular season and tourney titles, the Tar Heels were rewarded with the No. 1 overall seed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. However, after barely surviving Florida Atlantic in the Chapel Hill Regional, UNC was again brought to the brink of elimination in the Supers. And yet, the Heels kept calm and carried on, eliminating rival South Carolina to advance to Omaha. The calling card for UNC this season has been offense, and no one is more menacing than designated hitter Colin Moran. The First Team All-American was named ACC Player of the Year after batting .348 with 13 home runs, 88 RBIs and 60 walks drawn. However, as strong as their offense is, the Heels have a very valuable weapon on the pitching mound too. Junior lefty Kent Emanuel was named Third Team All-American by the NCBWA after setting a school record with 28 career wins. He was also tabbed ACC Pitcher of the Year for his efforts in 2013. If Emanuel and the UNC pitching staff can hold serve, the Heels’ offense has the firepower to take them to the top.

No. 3 Oregon State

OSU pitcher delivers vs. UCLA, Credit: Jeff Poirier

Overall Record: 50-11

Postseason Record: 5-1

Standings: Pac-12 Regular Season Champion

RPI: 5

Key Player(s): RHP Andrew Moore, LHP Matt Boyd

Notes: Oregon State is the only other Pac-12 team to make the CWS, and one of three national seeds to get through the Super Regionals. The Beavers won the regular season Pac-12 title before sweeping their Regional and hosting Kansas State in the Supers. And though the Wildcats stole the opener, OSU wasn’t going to go down that easily—the Beavs rallied back to win the next two and get to Omaha for the fourth time in nine seasons. The 2013 Oregon State squad is all about pitching, headlined by Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and First Team All-American Andrew Moore. The right-hander is tied for first in the nation with 14 wins, and boasts an ERA of 1.36 through 119 innings pitched. But Moore isn’t the only big arm for the Beavers, as senior southpaw Matt Boyd earned All-American honors from Baseball America as well. Boyd has thrown 122.2 innings with an ERA of 2.13, and has only dropped three decisions (one of which came against UCLA in April). OSU will be favored in its opening bracket, and should have a good chance to get to the championship series. Once there, Moore, Boyd and the Beavs could easily find themselves hosting the program’s third national title in history.

No. 4 Louisiana State

LSU, Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Record: 57-9

Postseason Record: 9-1

Standings: First in SEC West (2nd overall), SEC Tournament Champion

RPI: 4

Key Player(s): SS Alex Bregman, RHP Aaron Nola

Notes: The SEC got nine teams into the NCAA Tournament, but LSU is one of only two to make it to the CWS. The Tigers punched their ticket to Omaha after an impressive run through the Regional rounds that included a 2-0 sweep of Oklahoma in the Supers. The SEC Tournament champions were the only team to land two players on the All-American first team (Baseball America). Shortstop Alex Bregman and RHP Aaron Nola nabbed the honors, also collecting SEC Freshman of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Nola will likely take the mound against the Bruins on Sunday to open the Tigers’ CWS run, and he’s got some nasty stuff. Nola has recorded 111 strikeouts in 109 innings pitched for an ERA of 1.82, while opponents have batted just .195 against him. Nola will present a major challenge to UCLA’s inconsistent offense, especially if Bregman can get his bat going. The 6’0″ slugger has posted a batting average of .385 to go with 52 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. If Adam Plutko can’t find a way to slow down Bregman, it could be another big day for the Purple and Gold as they chase a seventh CWS title.

UCLA

UCLA SS Pat Valaika (10) tags out Cal State Fullerton SS Richy Pedroza (6).Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Record: 44-17

Postseason Record: 5-0

Standings: 3rd in Pac-12

RPI: 15

Key Player(s): RHP David Berg, SS Pat Valaika

Notes: After faltering the final series of the regular season, UCLA bounced back in a big way by sweeping through the LA Regional and Fullerton Super Regional. The Bruins bested No. 5-seed Cal State Fullerton to earn their third trip to the CWS in four years, despite an average showing from the offense. The unquestioned UCLA star, at least in terms of national recognition, is relief pitcher David Berg. The scintillating sophomore throws a sick side-armed slider, part of the reason he was named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-American. When Berg takes the mound, it’s lights-out the rest of the way, and usually ends with a W for the Bruins. His 21 saves to date are a school record, and his 0.88 ERA is good for second in the country. Berg is only one piece of a stacked pitching staff, and his skills should be on full display in Omaha. But if the Bruins are going to make some noise this year, the offense will have to step up. Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Valaika will be key here. The junior shortstop is not a dominant at the plate, but he is one of the main threats in the UCLA order (a lineup that doesn’t feature a single .300 hitter). If Valaika and the UCLA offense can support its pitchers, the Bruins have more to bring to the table than most think as they pursue the program’s first CWS title.

North Carolina State

NC State Wolfpack shortstop Trea Turner (8), Credit: Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Record: 49-14

Postseason Record: 7-1

Standings: 2nd in ACC Atlantic (4th overall)

RPI: 7

Key Player(s): SS Trea Turner, LHP Carlos Rodon

Notes: UNC isn’t the only team from the Old North State going for it all, as North Carolina State also played its way into the CWS field this year. The Wolfpack clawed its way through an upset-minded Rice squad fresh off eliminating No.8-seed Oregon. It took two ninth-inning comebacks for NC State to take down the Owls, with the clinching victory requiring 17 innings to complete. It wasn’t pretty for the Wolfpack, but winning grind-it-out games is a valuable asset in the postseason. Unfortunately for NCSU and All-American shortstop Trea Turner, they drew in-state rival North Carolina to kick off the CWS. The Pack has gone 1-2 against the Tar Heels this season, most recently falling in 18 innings in the ACC Tournament semifinals. However, if there was a time for Turner and Co. to break out, why not in Omaha? Turner boasts a .377 batting average with seven home runs, 41 RBIs and a healthy mark of 27 stolen bases. If he can bring his hot hitting on the road, NC State has a chance to put itself in prime position on Sunday.

Mississippi State

Mississippi State, Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Record: 48-18

Postseason Record: 8-2

Standings: 3rd in SEC West (5th overall)

RPI: 10

Key Player(s): RF Hunter Renfroe, RHP Jonathan Holder

Notes: Mississippi State is one of a few teams to knock off national seeds in the Super Regional, taking down No. 6-seed Virginia in Charlottesville in two games. The Bulldogs were nearly perfect in the NCAA Tournament, aside from dropping one game to upstart Central Arkansas in the Starkville Regional. MSU is led by superstar right fielder and First Team All-American Hunter Renfroe. With a career average of .242 coming into 2013, Renfroe put on a show as a junior this year, hitting .352 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. Couple those numbers with his speed on the base paths and his rocket from the outfield, and Renfroe easily separates himself as the MSU player to watch. But if there were another, it’s right-hander Jonathan Holder, a sophomore reliever with a tiny ERA of 1.17. Holder earned Second Team All-American honors after striking out 81 batters in 46 innings pitched. Let that sink in for a minute. This kid is an absolute monster on the bump, and could be a key reason the Bulldogs find success in their ninth trip to Omaha.

Indiana

Indiana celebrates getting to Omaha, Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Record: 48-14

Postseason Record: 8-1

Standings: Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament Champion

RPI: 12

Key Player(s): C Kyle Schwarber, 3B Dustin DeMuth

Notes: Indiana is the first Big Ten team to make it to Omaha since Michigan in 1984, ending a nearly 30-year drought for the storied conference. The Hoosiers finished with a .708 winning percentage in B1G play, losing only one three-game series all year (sweep at Michigan State that included two extra-inning losses). But IU really didn’t catch the eye of the nation until sweeping through its Regional and taking down No. 7-seed Florida State in the Supers. The trip to Omaha will be the Hoosiers’ first in program history, but they aren’t stopping there. Led by All-Americans Kyle Schwarber and Dustin DeMuth, Indiana is looking to make a splash next week. Schwarber is a hard-hitting sophomore with a batting average of .372, 17 home runs, 50 RBIs and 38 walks drawn. His impressive production from the catcher position earned him second-team honors from Baseball America. Just 90 feet away from Schwarber at the hot corner is DeMuth, a third-team selection who also swings a strong bat. The junior third baseman is batting .396 with 40 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. With those two in the lineup, the Indiana offense could be a serious factor in Omaha, so long as the pitching holds up.

Louisville

Louisville celebrates getting to the CWS, Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Record: 51-12

Postseason Record: 5-2

Standings: Big East Regular Season Champion

RPI: 16

Key Player(s): RHP Jeff Thompson, RHP Kyle Funkhouser, RHP Anthony Kidston

Notes: After claiming the regular season conference title, Louisville made a quick 0-2 exit from the Big East Tournament, raising questions about the team’s resilience. But the Cardinals silenced the doubters by sweeping their Regional, and then going into Nashville to topple the No. 2-seed Vanderbilt Commodores in two games. Louisville is led by All-American starter Jeff Thompson, who has put together an 11-1 campaign with an ERA of 2.00. The Big East Pitcher of the Year anchors a rotation that also includes two Freshman All-Americans in Kyle Funkhouser and Anthony Kidston. The two right-handed pitchers have combined to go 10-1 this season, though they were little used in the Super Regional versus Vandy. Louisville is making its first CWS appearance since 2007, so the Cards should be psyched up to get going on Saturday against the Hoosiers.

The complete interactive 2013 College World Series bracket can be seen on NCAA.com. Enjoy Omaha!

UCLA Bruins relief pitcher David Berg, Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

On the same day that UCLA’s plane touched down in Omaha for the College World Series, the Bruins got another trophy to put on the mantel. Relief pitcher David Berg was named First Team All-American by Baseball America, adding to the sophomore’s already extensive collection of accolades.

Berg nabbed the only bullpen slot on the First Team, making him the best reliever in the nation—at least according to this ranking system. College baseball does have a slew of different rankings, but Baseball America definitely carries some weight. And given Berg’s 20 saves, insanely-low 0.80 WHIP and nation-leading 0.81 ERA, it seems like an apt decision.

It was Berg’s second All-American selection, and the latest in a line of individual honors for the UCLA baseball team. The Bruins have now claimed hardware from the conference, the NCAA and multiple national media outlets. Here’s a complete list of all the distinctions UCLA has compiled so far in 2013.

• Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year—David Berg
• Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year—Pat Valaika
• All-Pac-12 Team—Berg, Valaika, Adam Plutko, Nick Vander Tuig
• All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention—Brian Carroll, Kevin Kramer
• NCAA LA Regional Most Outstanding Player—Pat Gallagher
• NCAA LA Regional All-Tournament Team—Gallagher, Valaika, Plutko, Eric Filia, Grant Watson 
• Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball First Team All-American—Berg
• Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American—James Kaprielian
• Baseball America First Team All-American—Berg

If things go well for the Bruins in Omaha next week, the list could grow even longer. The All-Tournament team for the CWS remains to be named, and Berg is also still in the running for a few major awards, including NCBWA Stopper of the Year and National Pitcher of the Year. But as great as it is to see UCLA stock pile these kind of honors, the trophy that really matters is the one waiting at the end of the road.

As the Bruins get set for another run at an NCAA Championship, the national recognition they’ve received should provide some confidence to lean on. UCLA is a team with a ton of swagger, and a program clearly on the up, but without a national title in hand, there will always be detractors.

In order to complete its move to the elite, UCLA has to win the College World Series and hoist the trophy for the first time in history. When it does happen, it’d be fitting for Berg to record the clinching out and be the center of the dog pile again. Berg has led the Bruins to victory all season—one side-armed strike at a time—and there’s no indication the All-American closer will stop closing any time soon.

Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Although UCLA football is coming off a surprisingly successful season in 2012, and despite the fact that the Bruins earned a consensus top-10 recruiting class, and despite the fact that the team has two bona fide Heisman trophy candidates in Anthony Barr and Brett Hundley, the Bruins were shafted in the recent NCAA Football 14 rankings.

That’s right, UCLA received an overall rating of 88 (out of 100), while its offense earned an 88 rating and its defense grabbed an 87 rating. While that seems really fair, when you compare them to significant teams, the rating makes no sense. Check it out:

• USC earned a 91 overall, a 95 on offense, and a 90 on defense. Not only does USC lose talent comparable to UCLA (Matt Barkley, Robert Woods, and Curtis McNeal, primarily), but their recruiting class was rated lower than UCLA’s across the board. Let’s not forget that Kiffin is on the hot seat, while Jim Mora’s seat is pretty cool.
• Mississippi State earned an 88, its offense earned a 90, and its defense earned an 85. Yes, this is the same MSU team that was 0-4 against teams ranked in the Top 25, while finishing 1-5 on the season (its losses were all by multiple touchdowns). UCLA, meanwhile, was a decent 3-2 against Top 25 competition, losing only to Pac-12 champs Stanford.
• Iowa is an 88 overall, 88 on offense and a 90 on defense. They went 4-8. And still have the same coach. Also, they’re Iowa.
• Missouri is rated as an 88 overall, 90 on offense, 87 on defense. I give up.

There are plenty of other inconsistencies in these ratings. The most glaring example is Arizona, which is an 86 on offense but earned an 88 … on defense. This, of course, was the same team that was bottom-five in points allowed per game, the same team that allowed UCLA to hang 66 in the Rose Bowl last fall.

Either way, it’s just a video game and not something for fans to get worked up about. There have been inconsistencies in the past with these things, and besides, with 124 Division-I college teams, can you expect to get them all right?

At the same time, these ratings are seen as somewhat indicative of how good one’s team is relatively, especially since the point of the game is to be as realistic as possible.

Or maybe they’re doing this on purpose, trying to be as inaccurate as possible so they can build their case in the O’Bannon trial. Who knows?

Aor 2, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Steve Alford speaks at a press conference to announce his hiring as UCLA Bruins mens basketball coach at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Alford brings a lot to the table as UCLA’s new head basketball coach—but what does he have that previous coach Ben Howland didn’t?

To start, Alford should be able to better implement a half-court offense. For the longest time, UCLA’s “slow it down” game was shaky at best and consisted of a single player and his commitment to score. Last year that was 19… Erm… 20-year-old Shabazz Muhammad, and his production was below expectations.

Flashback to the 2012-13 season and you might recall that a timeout was ultimately a turnover. Why? Because without a half-court offense coming out of a break, the Bruins had nowhere to go, and few options to choose from.

Alford should be able to change this major issue along with a lot more. His team at New Mexico had the upbeat tempo everyone has come to love but they could also take it easy, milk the clock, and get a good shot off in crunch time. Alford brings this dynamic, which could become even bigger with the a recruiting destination like UCLA enabling him to snag marquee players out of high school.

From a defensive standpoint, not much changes. Alford and Howland both play man defense, but it will be a matter of style that makes the slight difference  Hopefully, for the sake of the program, Alford can use a teaching-based system to connect with players—not just tell them what they need to do. Most importantly, though, Alford can bond with the players, taking on the role of a mentor rather than that of a boss.

Alford’s personality should build on the momentum-style basketball played in Pauley Pavilion. Down-to-the-wire games should include the educated play of Kyle “Slow-Mo” Anderson running the point. If the Bruins are in need of an energy boost, it’ll be the athleticism of Norman Powell, who reminds me of a raw Russell Westbrook. Powell can take control of a game with his huge arsenal of shots, his lock down defense and his emphatic slam dunks. And for luckily for him, staying a Bruin is looking like it will pay off.

Nonetheless, my difference maker this season is no one mentioned above. I think the fate of Alford’s first season falls namely in the hands of Tony Parker. Can Parker evolve into the dominant center that nobody wants to challenge? Can Alford’s system help Parker shed his high school shell and evolve into an All-Pac-12 player? All this and more will be answered later in the year, but I expect nothing less than success from the boys in blue this season.