I have decided that handicapping this years tournament is extremely problematic. The fact is there is just not a single dominant team in the field.

What I mean here is that there are no slam dunk winners that I can see. Yes Virginia is a great number one but they have had so many close calls this season. Texas had a team match point vs the Cavs in March. One point and it's the Longhorns who are in the top group.Florida State had them on the ropes but did not close the deal. Did I also mention that UT had a team match point vs Stanford at the national indoors. Texas is #12 with two loses to top ten Baylor, one of those loses coming in the conference tournament final after leading late with the score 3 all. Winning two out of three vs a very good ATM team helped.

Ohio State looks to be a big time team. They are just loaded with talent from top to bottom. However, the Buckeyes have been the favorites before and lost matches in which they were prohibitive favorites. The obvious sigh of relief you hear from Columbus is that of Ty Tucker when it was announced the Texas was not in the same bracket with the Bucks.

For just great talent no one early on seemed to be in the same league with UCLA. The Bruins should win ever match they play but they don't.

Tennessee, Georgia and USC all have fine teams and have had exceptional seasons. So who will win it? Who knows? Whoever gets hot should win it!!!!! And no one know who that is till the matches begin.

This will surprise no one but looking at the draw I think Texas has a good shot to get to the quarters. I usually tend to see things through orange colored glasses but the Longhorns are due. Sooner or later you will win one of the big matches and for Texas the last few seasons they have played their best in the tournament.

On a personal note. I am glad that the final site is in the state. Texas A&M must have a rabbits foot in their pocket hosting this event. The last two times rain never effected the schedule to any great extent. With no indoor backup close by that was very lucky. I believe there is now local backup. Hope they never have to use it.

Hope everyone enjoys the best time of the year when it comes to this sport. It is an unknown treasure to most but a passion to those of us who have been a part of the great drama that college tennis has afforded down through the years.

Bring on the matches!!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by rushlimbaugh (edited 5/7/2009 10:16p).]

Thanks for the analysis.What's your take on Ole Miss?

Good job Rush. Should be exciting.

Looks like a good analysis to me. If tOSU is in the running, then I guess that means we are too!

To address the last part of your post, yes there's now an indoor facility in College Station, but at best it sucks, only 4 courts, etc. I hope it doesn't come to that, especially because our players are more accustomed to outdoor courts.


I guess we get spoiled watching at the Mitchell Tennis Center, where there's 12 championship-level lit courts, not a bad seat in the house.


On that note, attendance record at GPMTC is 2,339 against Georgia. I expect that record to be obliterated this year, especially if the Ags are playing.

I don't know what I was thinking . Ole Miss won the SEC and is considered a top challenger for the title. They play good doubles and are very balanced in single. No easy out vs the Rebels.

Sorry for missing them. They are very good. ATM will need an inspirational effort to stay up with them. The biggest rip off in college tennis is that the #2 seeds have to travel to LSU for the regional.

indoor facility is in Bryan, and is 3 courts. Not a HORRIBLE facility, but it sucks when we have to play on those fast courts. The men or women never play a good match there, and we always seem to play a more indoor team than us when have to go inside.

Looking forward to seeing NCAAs here next week, even though I may not see too much of it because I will be working it.