COVERITLIVE.COM

11:47

Trey Iles, T-P - Well begin our chat with Tulane beat writer Ted Lewis in just a few mintues. Start sending in your questions.

11:59

Trey Iles, T-P - All right, let's get started. Here's our first question.

11:59

[Comment From Wave master]
How important is tonight's game with LSU? What does Tulane need to do to get into at-large consideration.

12:00

Ted Lweis, T-P - Well winning would certainly be a big boost. But losing to a Top 10 team probably wouldn't matter that much at this stage. Winning at least two of three at USM this weekend is a must.

12:01

[Comment From Tammany Greenie]
Do you think we've turned the corner in baseball or just a matter of playing a bad team last weekend?

12:03

Ted Lewis, T-P - I believed the team turned a corner back at Central Florida after that Friday night loss. The players have talked about how much more relaxed they are, etc.
The pitching continues to be sound and putting Matt Ryan at third has solidified the infield. Memphis did come in with a poor record, but the Tigers swung the bats with abandon and got a terrific pitching performance on Saturday. That's baseball.

12:03

[Comment From Esplande]
What's the biggest improvement for football coming out of spring training? And what's your prediction for next fall coming out of spring?

12:05

Ted Lewis, T-P -

At this stage, Joe Kemp looks like an upgrade over Kevin Moore, although he'll have to prove it on the field. The defensive line is very deep. Jeremy Williams looked terrific in the drills he was allowed to participate in and Alex Lauricella is the best player in the secondary. All of that being said, at this stage this looks like a .500 team at best.

12:06

[Comment From Wave man]
Know anything about USM? Can we go up and win two of three you think?

12:07

Ted Lewis, T-P - They are having the same sort of season at Tulane - too many early losses to be comfortably in the tournament at this stage. Tulane has always played well in Hattiesburg, so two of three is very doable.

12:08

[Comment From TP reader]
Saw the story on Joe Kemp. How good of a player do you think he can be?

12:10

Ted Lewis, T-P - He certainly has good mobility and throws the ball with authority. He'll have to learn how to use that mobility within the system and not bail out too early, but that comes with experience. I am really impressed with his determination to be a leader and to turn Tulane's football fortunes around.

12:10

[Comment From Wave]
Hey Ted, where is the C-USA baseball tournament this season and do only eight qualify? Also, who would you think is favored in it?

12:12

Ted Lewis, T-P - The tournament is in Hattiesburg May 20-23. Yes, only eight teams qualify, which at this point would probably mean Central Florida or Memphis doesn't make it. You have to like Rice, but the Owls didn't win last year with a team that wound up in the CWS. With only Rice and East Carolina assured of bids going in I would think everybody will be going all-out.

12:14

[Comment From Hullabalo]
What's running back situation for next season?

12:15

Ted Lewis, T-P - Andre Anderson was held out contact in the spring, but he looks fully recovered from shoulder surgery. Similarly, Albert Williams didn't see much action, but the coaches love his speed. Right now J.T. McDonald is the backup and I like the way he keeps his legs driving. A couple of freshmen may contribute too. But the key is for Anderson to stay healthy.

12:17

[Comment From green giant]
Talk about our defensive front, Ted. What do you think of how they'll be?

12:19

Ted Lewis, T-P - It's very deep. Steve Stanard, the new defensive coordinator, said he was surprised at the quality and quantity of players. Reggie Scott seems to like being moved inside where he can play the three technique. I don't know what to make of Oscar Ponce de Leon being named first team at the end of spring ahead of Chris Asumnu, but it shows Oscar's determination to play. Logan Kelley is an outstanding pass rusher.

12:20

[Comment From basetracker]
Being that Tulane pretty much competes very well head to head with LSU in baseball, it wouldn't be that much of a surprise if they won again tonight, would it?

12:22

Ted Lewis, T-P -

You should never be surprised at the outcome of a baseball game. So much depends on pitching and just getting the right bounce here and there. I'd give Tulane an excellent chance tonight, especially if Aaron Loup can control his breaking ball well enough to give the Wave six or seven good innings.

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