When sports teams are in season they usually have some idea as to whom they are up against.

They learn from past games, or from scouting reports and films.

However, there do come times where you don’t know too much about your opponent.

Personally for rugby, we don’t (as a team) know too much about our opponent.

Since rugby is still kind of rare in the college scene, we have to play different teams all over the country.

There are times, however, when we do get a second shot at teams.

Our repeat teams usually consist of teams who are close like Purdue, University of Illinois, and Ohio State.

When we do come across unknown territory, the only thing we have to go on is what our coach says.

Coach Frank Graziano usually tells us the game plan in practice at the beginning of the week.

He lets us know what kind of team we are playing against, and where they are strongest.

Then we spend the whole week practicing what he preaches.

This causes us to have totally trust in our coach.

Since we have never seen the opposite team play, then the only thing we have to go on is what our coach says.

The good thing about that is, our coach has never steered us wrong before.

He gives the information to us straight.

Sometimes he might start out sugarcoating it, but only to people who might not be able to handle the mental stress the information might cause.

However, to the rest of the people, he tells it like it is, and that is great.

That is what we need.

Well that same situation is happening for Eastern’s baseball team this weekend.

They made it to the NCAA Regional Tournament, and they are playing an unfamiliar foe.

The Panthers are set to play the Nebraska Huskers on Friday.

I’ve talked to both of the coaches, and they are preparing somewhat the same way.

They both said they were going to look at scouting reports and email fellow coaches.

Eastern, though, took a step back.

Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz just wants his team to focus on themselves, and I think that is a great idea.

If you focus too much on the other team, then you’re not going to worry about yourself, which is what people need to do.

If your own team isn’t focused then you’re not going to have a good game.

Not to mention that lately that has been Eastern’s game plan and look where it has gotten them: an Ohio Valley Conference Championship, and a ticket to the NCAA Regional Tournament.

When it comes down to it, you don’t need to know a lot about the opposing team.

You just need to worry about what your team does best and focus on that.

With that mind set, the Panthers may have a good chance at winning this weekend and advancing yet again.

Molly Clutter can be reached at 581-7944 or at mkclutter@eiu.edu.