Thoughts on ESPN CWS Preview

[Foshizzle]

As per the broadcast requirements at ESPN, mentions an odd array of trivia about each team that does not appear to be consistent. Only thing they say about Texas is "the #1 overall seed" twice.

Pat Murray (ASU) is one BORING dude. Basically doesn't answer questions with any certainty, apparently under the impression that being a curmudgeon will make him appear to be a tough, smart coach. Thank God I DVRed this. FF right through the last half of his discussion of how exciting he finds the paint drying process.

Augie tells good story about Gus. Says nice stuff about other coaches, players, NCAA, and Omaha. Classy. Jokes about naps. Says we've won a variety of games. Gets a lot more time than Pat Murray.

 

[Foshizzle]

Augie handles the "who is going to pitch Game 1" question 100 times better than Pat Murray. Says he doesn't know, but is working on some voodoo and astrology to figure it out.

Dave Van Horn of Arkansas, nice work. Actually answered questions.

 

[Foshizzle]

Van Horn asked if he thinks he has a shot given that Texas and Arkansas have crappy batting averages. He says you never know. Sometimes everyone hits well. Pretty much the same thing Augie said.

Dave Serrano, CSF. Short speech. Good stuff. Says Augie is awesome.

Corky Palmer, USM. His name says it all.

 

[Foshizzle]

Palmer does not appear to know the difference b/t an adjective and an adverb. Also, apparently beat some team called "Flowiduh." All kidding aside, his team might be good.

 

[Foshizzle]

Paul Manieri, the one guy who makes Augie look unpolished. Seems like he might rather be doing choreography on 'So You Think You Can Dance?" Professes love to Brian O'Connor. NOT KIDDING.

Brian O'Connor, UVA, along with Pat Murphy wins the award for most likely to be confused with a guy who served you a Guiness once. Does not appear to love Manieri, but is thankful for getting a job. Says he thanks the NCAA for screwing them by shipping the out to the West. He seems genuinely torn over whether he's being sarcastic or not.

Mike Fox, UNC. Slightly more interesting than Pat Murray. But has absolutely nothing to talk about.

Open questions:

Reporter: Does OU suck?
Dave Van Horn: Yes, it is so. We hated being there. And we're from Arkansas.

Reporter: Which is worse, having a statue of you outside the stadium or the guy to your left being completely in love with you.
Brian O'Connor: That's a tough call, because they both freak me out. I am from here, but please quit mentioning that. I got the **** beat out of me a lot in high school, and I am a little afraid of running into some of the old high school toughs who used to poke fun at me for throwing like a girl. Plus I don't give a **** about anyone in the town I grew up in anymore. For the love of God, I moved from Nebraska to Charlottesville, Virginia. Do you have any idea how much better the trim is in C-Ville? If you can listen to Dave Matthews all day without wanting to rip your ears off it's like heaven.

ESPN Lady: any more questions? No, then go home.

 

[deserthorn]

Who was the CSF coach the followed Augie and beat us in 2004 and where did he go?

 

[s102r18]

George Horton moved up @ CSF when Augie came to Texas. Oregon hired him to head up their resumption of baseball. CSF than took Dave Serrano away from UCI—which had recently made an unseeded run to Omaha that included beating Augie's 'Horns at the 2007 regional played in Round Rock.

 

[orangecat]

what was the story Augie told about Gus?

 

[cnstoll58]

It was something like "Gus said they started out good, then hit a patch when nobody could hit, then there was a time when we couldn't throw the ball over the plate, but finally it all came together". Augie said he went back to his hotel and looked up the UT stats and they were like 60 and 5 so far.

Augie said "Man they have a high water mark around here"