Ten Questions for the 2011 Season?

1. How will the new regulations on metal bats affect the game?
Pitchers across the nation are salivating at the chance to get on the mound with the new regulations facing metal bats. Hitters are eager to prove that it wasn't the bats doing the work. Should be an interesting story line to follow across college baseball all year.

2. Can UWM get back to the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season?
The Panthers return many arms from a pitching staff that led them to post-season success a year ago. They will have to replace some big bats if they look to cause damage in the Horizon League. UWM may look to some talented freshmen including SS Tell Taylor a top recruit from Burlington.

3. Can anyone challenge Stevens Point and Whitewater for the WIAC Title?Both UWSP and Whitewater are ranked in the top ten to start the season, however, they both have holes that will need to be filled in order to live up to the hype. Oshkosh may be the only team that can challenge the two top dogs. Senior Jeremy Rubens, returning from Tommy John surgery, and transfer Phil Schrieber, fresh out of a summer in the Cape Cod League, could provide the Titans with the pitching to win the WIAC.

4. Will a Wisconsin school qualify for the NCAA tournament for the Northern Athletics Conference for the first time?
The Northern Athletics Conference has sent an Illinois team to the NCAA tournament each year since they were granted an automatic bid to the tournament. Edgewood who tied for the regular season conference crown in 2010 will again be amongst the favorites. Lakeland and Concordia will look to build upon very successful seasons from a year ago.

5. Will Madison College be able to reload after graduating a very talented group?
Madison lost many players from their JUCO World Series team from a year ago, but Coach Davenport always seems to find a way to reload. Freshmen Luke Maldanado, James Sadowske, and Eric DuCharme could be a big part of the WolfPack's season.

6. Can Viterbo challenge for a Midwest Collegiate Conference title?
Viterbo finished a one game behind the leaders of the MCC a year ago and will look to senior leadership to bring home a conference title this season. Senior Brandon Buelow, who tied Viterbo's single season home run record with 11 last season, will need to put up big numbers this season for the V-Hawks.

7. Can Beloit, Carroll, or Lawrence get involved in Midwest Conference race between Ripon and St. Norbert?
St. Norbert and Ripon are expected to run away from the competition in the Wisconsin half of the Miwest Conference. Beloit may have the best chance to compete with them, but will need to be sure not to drop any of their games with Lawrence and Carroll as they did a season ago.

8. Can Carthage return to the NCAA tournament?
The Red Men will have to battle through a very tough CCIW schedule in order to earn the right to make the NCAA tournament. Joey Aiello, Will Hodges, and Eric Rohe will need to keep their All-Conference form if Carthage looks to extend its NCAA tournament appearance streak.

9. What freshmen/transfers will have the biggest impact on their teams?
UWM, Whitewater, Stevens Points, and Madison College may get the big name freshmen, but every year smaller schools like Concordia, Carroll, and Cardinal Stritch give significant playing time to freshmen that prove their worth to a team. Who will prove that they deserved all the hype and who will surprise this year?

10. Can any Wisconsin teams compete for a National Title in 2011?
Stevens Point is the early favorite for team most likely to bring a National Championship home.