Looking at teams with All-Region players coming back in 2013, my incredibly complex formula of 3,2,1 for hitters on the all-region squads and 4,3,2 for the pitchers (I value pitchers a bit more than hitters), here is what I have computed as a 2013 regional preview:
1.Wartburg/Wheaton/Chicago 5 pts
4. NorthPark 4
5. WashU/IWU/Coe/Central 3
9. Webster 2
10. Cornell/Elmhurst/Greenville 1
As usual, this means absolutely nothing but it did give some props to WashU and Chicago heading into the 2012 season. If form holds true, we should keep an eye on Wartburg, Wheaton and Chicago as teams looking to break into the discussion next year. Notably absent from this list is Carthage, St. Norbert, and Augustana… teams that generally fare well in the region.