In The Circle

While UCF might be the team to beat in the American Athletic Conference, there's a team up Interstate 4 who will have a lot to say in regards to who wins it all. That team is the USF Bulls and their head coach Ken Eriksen joined the guys to talk about the 2016 season. The Bulls have a top-heavy start to the season playing games against both two-time national champion Florida and runner-up Michigan.

With each new season, we are provided a list of players to keep our eyes on. On this episode of In The Circle, Eric and Victor breakdown the Top 50 Player of the Year Watchlist for Division I and Division II. They talk about the favorites, the surprises, the names you might not yet know, and the omissions. One of the guys is mad about an ace pitcher from a perennial postseason contender not being listed.

How does Oklahoma replace Chamberlain and Pendley? Can Baylor take over as the top team in 2016? Is Texas ready to possibly make a change at Head Coach? Does Oklahoma State have enough to challenge the Big 12 elite?

Eric Lopez sat down with UCF Softball Head Coach Renee-Luers Gillispie Saturday on WHOO 1080AM to preview the upcoming 2016 Knights season. With a #17 preseason ranking and two straight American Conference regular season champions under their belt, expectations are high in Orlando. Led by All-American Shelby Turnier and American POY Jessica Ujvari, UCF is the preseason favorite to make it three straight championships and possibly can host a regional for the first time in program history if they can duplicate their 50 win season a year ago.

While everyone talks about the Power 5 Conferences, there are other teams and leagues that deserve our attention. Eric, Victor, and Justin McLeod of Justin's World take a look at the mid-major's in 2016. Can UCF and Shelby Turnier make it a 3-peat in the American? How does James Madison continue their rise after hosting regionals in 2015? Is 2016 setting up for a possible down year for Louisiana-Lafayette? Do South Alabama and Hofstra have enough to crash the party?

We continue our 2016 Season Preview with the ACC. Justin McLeod from Justin's World joins Eric and Victor to look at the landscape of one of the most balanced conferences in America. On this preview they look at, Can Florida State make up the loss of Waldrup and O'Brien to contend again? Is Notre Dame the biggest threat to the Seminoles' reign? Will Pittsburgh ride their magical late-season run in 2015 to 2016 success? Does the ACC have enough balance to get multiple teams to Oklahoma City?

As the season draws closer, the previews get geared up. This preview talks about one of the more underrated of the Power 5 conferences; the Big 10. While Michigan has gotten all of the praise (and rightly so when you're one win away from a national championship), other schools are looking to get their name in the spotlight as well. Is 2016 the year Minnesota rises up to knock of the Wolverines? Can anyone break their way into that Michigan/Minnesota 1-2 punch? How many teams get into the NCAA Tournament (Hint, not as many as you think)?

We continue with our breakdown of the 2016 season with the Pac 12. The one-time conference standard bearer has seen their crown taken away recently by the Southeastern Conference. Among the many questions the guys will discuss include: Can Oregon regain the National Championship for the Pac 12? Will Arizona and UCLA get back in the hunt after tough endings to 2015? Does Cal have enough firepower to content with a pair of impact transfers? How do the other schools (Utah, Stanford) crack into that upper tier?

Eric Lopez, Victor Anderson, and Justin McLeod discuss the top conference in Division I, the Southeastern Conference. With Alabama and Florida winning three of the last six national championships, there's no question that softball is following in football's footsteps as the premier conference in America. Among the storylines for 2016: Can Florida win it all a 3rd straight year without Lauren Hager? Does Alabama have enough firepower to make another run? Is LSU the team to beat outside of Florida? What SEC team can make a surprising run in 2016?

This episode of In The Circle takes a look at the Division I season coming up as Eric and Victor are joined by Justin McLeod of Justin's World of Softball. The trio breaks down the national storylines heading into 2016 as well as preview all the major conferences as well as mid-major's to look out for this coming season? Will the Florida Gators have enough to three-peat? Can Oklahoma contend in 2016 A.C. (After Chamberlain) Is the Pac-12 still the elite conference in America? Does Louisiana-Lafayette have the pitching to be a legit title contender?