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Field of 64 Projections: Two new hosts spark changes through NCAA Tournament entering final week

We have reached the final week of college baseball’s regular season. There’s still a lot left to play for over the next week and then into conference tournament, but it’s time for this week’s Field of 64 projections. Things still feel relatively wide open in the NCAA Tournament from the hosting line down through the […]

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We have reached the final week of college baseball’s regular season. There’s still a lot left to play for over the next week and then into conference tournament, but it’s time for this week’s Field of 64 projections.

Things still feel relatively wide open in the NCAA Tournament from the hosting line down through the bubble. Hosting wise, the top 16 seeds are made up of eight SEC teams, followed by the ACC (3), Big Ten (2), Sun Belt (1), Big West (1) and Independent (1). Six of those eight SEC teams are top eight overall seeds.

Overall, the SEC again leads the way with 13 total bids to the Field of 64. The ACC follows with nine, while the Big 12 has seven. Other leagues with multiple bids are the Big Ten (5), Sun Belt (3), Big West (2) and Conference USA (2).

Some conference tournaments will get underway this week, but for the most part, leagues will have their final regular season weekend before tournaments begin next Tuesday. The NCAA Tournament selection show is Monday, May 26.

*denotes automatic qualifier for conference champions

Field of 64 Projections: Bubble Watch

Last Four In: Iowa, Cincinnati, Cal Poly, Michigan
First Four Out: UTRGV, Xavier, Virginia, Notre Dame
Next Four Out: UC Santa Barbara, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Creighton

Iowa is one of the most confusing teams to grade in this year’s field. The Hawkeyes currently sit atop the Big Ten with a 21-6 league record, but are just 3-2-1 in Q1 games and sit at No. 67 in RPI. If they hold on to win the Big Ten regular season, they’ll be fine. But if they don’t, they might be in danger.

Virginia and Notre Dame are still among the teams fighting to get on the right side of the bubble. They, along with UC Santa Barbara and Oklahoma State, are among quite a few teams who are trending upwards as the regular season neards its end.

Austin Regional

© Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

1. Texas (1)*
2. Troy
3. Western Kentucky
4. Central Connecticut State*

Despite back-to-back series losses, Texas remains the top overall seed in this week’s Field of 64. The Longhorns still sit alone atop the SEC’s standings, are 40-10 overall, 20-7 in conference play and No. 4 in RPI. With a 15-9 Q1 record, Texas still has the strongest overall resume in the country, though they’ll need to finish strong to solidify their spot at the top.

Irvine Regional

1. UC Irvine (16)*
2. Louisville
3. USC
4. San Diego*

UC Irvine remains right on the fringe of the hosting bubble, and gets the nod again as the No. 16 overall seed this week. The Anteaters are 38-11, 23-4 in the Big West and No. 18 in RPI, with a 9-4 Q1 record. What happens over the final week will be extremely important for UC Irvine, especially if their RPI drops any with a home series with Cal State Fullerton (RPI 134) on deck.

Auburn Regional

1. Auburn (2)
2. Miami
3. Michigan
4. Oral Roberts*

Auburn keeps rising just about every week it seems like, and now they’re all the way up to the No. 2 overall seed. The Tigers are 36-15 overall, 16-11 in the SEC and No. 2 in RPI, with a 14-10 Q1 record and the top overall strength of schedule. Auburn isn’t out of the running for the top overall seed, but they feel locked into a top eight seed right now.

Knoxville Regional

1. Tennessee (15)
2. Dallas Baptist*
3. Kansas
4. Tennessee Tech*

Tennessee is in serious danger of falling out of the hosting race, though they hold on in this week’s Field of 64. The Vols are 39-13 overall, 15-12 in the SEC and No. 15 in RPI with a 10-8 Q1 record, but have now lost four series in a row and five of their last six, and if they can’t take their final series against Arkansas, will a team that’s lost six of their last seven series get the nod? If they don’t Dallas Baptist is right on the cusp, and actually dropped out of the top 16 in this week’s projections.

Tallahassee Regional

FSU's Alex Lodise (left) and Gage Harrelson celebrate a home run earlier this season. (Gene Williams/Warchant)
FSU’s Alex Lodise (left) and Gage Harrelson celebrate a home run earlier this season. (Gene Williams/Warchant)

1. Florida State (3)*
2. Southern Miss
3. Iowa
4. Bethune-Cookman*

Florida State continues to sit atop the ACC entering the final week of the regular season, and that would have the Seminoles hosting as a top eight. They’re currently 36-11 overall, 16-8 in the ACC and No. 9 in RPI with an 11-7 Q1 record. The RPI can’t drop too much lower to host as a top three seed, but for now, the Seminoles are in good shape for the top eight and are a lock to host.

Clemson Regional

1. Clemson (14)
2. Ole Miss
3. Northeastern*
4. High Point*

Clemson is another team that is trending dangerously close to the hosting bubble right now. The Tigers have dropped three straight series, now 38-15 overall, 15-12 in the ACC and No. 14 in RPI, with a 6-10 Q1 record. Clemson can’t afford to lose their final series of the year at Pitt, and a strong showing in the conference tournament would be big to solidify themselves as a host.

Nashville Regional

1. Vanderbilt (4)
2. UTSA*
3. Kansas State
4. Bryant*

Vanderbilt is again on the rise, now a top four overall seed in this week’s Field of 64. The Commodores are 36-16 overall, 16-11 in the SEC and No. 3 in RPI, with a 15-14 Q1 record. They are one of two teams currently with 15 Q1 wins. UTSA still feels like they could factor into the hosting discussion too, as they dominated the AAC regular season and are No. 21 in RPI.

Eugene Regional

1. Oregon (13)
2. Oklahoma
3. Cal Poly
4. Murray State*

Oregon has been right on the bubble of the hosting picture for a few weeks, and now they’re on the right side of the top 16. The Ducks are 38-13 overall with a 19-8 Big Ten record, currently No. 19 in RPI with a 9-1 Q1 record. They’ll carry a seven-game winning streak to Iowa this weekend, a series that would solidify Oregon as a host if they win.

Athens Regional

Georgia infielder Slate Alford (44) during Georgia’s game against Arkansas at Foley Field in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

1. Georgia (5)
2. Duke
3. Cincinnati
4. Holy Cross*

Georgia lost their most recent series to Alabama, and drop a couple spots down to our No. 5 overall seed this week. Still, the Bulldogs are 40-13 overall, 16-11 in the SEC and No. 1 in RPI, with an 11-10 Q1 record. They are locked into a top eight seed with RPI sitting so highly, and with a strong final weekend, could slide back up to the top overall seeds in the tournament.

Conway Regional

1. Coastal Carolina (12)*
2. Florida
3. UConn*
4. Fairfield*

Coastal Carolina’s great season keeps rolling, as the Chanticleers are 41-11 overall, 23-4 in the Sun Belt and No. 12 in RPI. Their 4-5 Q1 record could limit their ceiling in terms of seeding, but they do currently boast the No. 4 non-conference RPI and No. 14 non-conference strength of schedule. One spot below them in RPI at No. 13 is Florida, who likely aren’t in a position to host, though a sweep against Alabama to end the year could change that.

Baton Rouge Regional

1. LSU (6)
2. Georgia Tech
3. Southeastern Louisiana*
4. Columbia*

LSU feels pretty safe as a top eight seed as of right now. The Tigers are 40-12 overall, 17-10 in SEC play and No. 7 in RPI, with a 13-10 Q1 record to give their resume a strong boost. They finish the season at South Carolina, so it’d be surprising to see LSU finish outside of the top eight, and they’re another contender for a top three overall seed.

Tuscaloosa Regional

1. Alabama (11)
2. West Virginia*
3. East Tennessee State*
4. Austin Peay*

Alabama’s series win over Georgia was massive for their hosting chances, and they slide into the top 16 as our No. 11 seed in this week’s Field of 64. The Crimson Tide are 39-13 overall, 15-12 in the SEC and No. 8 in RPI, with a 12-9 Q1 record. If they earn a series win over Florida to end the regular season, top eight becomes a strong possibility, and they’re already in the discussion. West Virginia is still in the mix to host, but their RPI is trending the wrong way. They’re the first or second team off of the top 16 currently.

Corvallis Regional

Gavin Turley
© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. Oregon State (7)
2. TCU
3. Kentucky
4. Nevada*

Oregon State has turned in quite the season playing an independent schedule, and they’re in line to host as a top eight, or close to one, right now. The Beavers are 37-12-1 on the year thanks to a tie in Sunday’s finale against Iowa, and are currently No. 6 in RPI. A 5-8 Q1 record could limit them, but right around the middle of the top 16 feels right for them. TCU is still in position to sneak into the hosting mix, depending on what they do the rest of the way.

Chapel Hill Regional

1. North Carolina (10)
2. Arizona
3. Mississippi State
4. Kent State*

North Carolina and NC State didn’t play their finale on Sunday due to weather, and that could end up being a tough break for UNC’s top eight hopes. In this week’s Field of 64, they’re the No. 10 overall seed at 37-11 overall,16-10 in ACC play and No. 11 in RPI. The Tar Heels are 7-5 in Q1 games, and could will likely slide into the top eight if they win their final series at Florida State.

Fayetteville Regional

1. Arkansas (8)
2. Wake Forest
3. Rhode Island*
4. Wright State*

Arkansas is a curious case right now. They’ve lost four of their last five series, but the series win was two weeks ago when they swept then top-ranked Texas. The Razorbacks are now 41-11 overall, 18-9 in SEC play and No. 5 in RPI with a 12-8 Q1 record, a resume that’s worthy of top eight consideration. But if they can’t win the series against Tennessee to end the regular season, they could fall out of the top eight, though hosting isn’t in danger.

Los Angeles Regional

1. UCLA (9)*
2. NC State
3. Arizona State
4. Sacramento State*

UCLA can take control of the Big Ten in the regular season’s final week, and they’re up to No. 9 overall in this week’s Field of 64. The Bruins are 37-14 overall, 20-7 in Big Ten play and No. 10 in RPI. Their 3-7 Q1 record is an argument against them, but if UCLA does win the Big Ten, they’ll be impossible to deny as a host and would have a case for the top eight.



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Cowboy Baseball Closes Out Regular Season At Home

Games 47-49: Arizona State  •  May 15-17 / 6 p.m., 6 p.m., 12 p.m.  •  Stillwater, Okla.  •  O’Brate Stadium (8,000)   OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS 24-22 overall (12-12 Big 12) National Ranking: n/a • NCAA RPI: 53 Streak: Lost 1 • H: 15-6 • A: 5-12 • N: 4-4 Head Coach: Josh Holliday, 13th Season […]

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Games 47-49: Arizona State  •  May 15-17 / 6 p.m., 6 p.m., 12 p.m.  •  Stillwater, Okla.  •  O’Brate Stadium (8,000)

 

OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

24-22 overall (12-12 Big 12)

National Ranking: n/a • NCAA RPI: 53

Streak: Lost 1 • H: 15-6 • A: 5-12 • N: 4-4

Head Coach: Josh Holliday, 13th Season at OSU (469-260-2)

ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

35-18 overall (18-9 Big 12)

National Ranking: n/a • NCAA RPI: 41

Streak: Won 3 • H: 26-9 • A: 9-8 • N: 0-1

Head Coach: Willie Bloomquist, 4th season at ASU (125-99)

TV: ESPN+ (Dave Hunziker & Tom Holliday)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network & The Varsity App    KSPI 93.7 FM / KSPI 780 AM    okla.state/GetVarsity    (Rex Holt & Matt Davis)
Stats: okstate.statbroadcast.com
X: @osubaseball (in-game scoreboard/updates)
Series: Cowboys lead, 18-17
Last: 3/8/23 in Stillwater; Cowboys won, 7-4

  • Oklahoma State is 24-22 and coming off a series win at Baylor in which the Cowboys won the first two games of the series.

 

  • Up next, the Cowboys conclude the regular season when they host Arizona State in a Thursday-Saturday series at O’Brate Stadium.

 

  • OSU is 12-12 in Big 12 play and eighth in the conference standings.

 

  • The Pokes own a .256 team batting average and .459 slugging percentage and are averaging 6.5 runs per game. Colin Brueggemann leads OSU with a .316 batting average, 11 doubles and 48 RBIs to go along with 12 home runs.

 

  • OSU’s pitching staff sports a 4.36 ERA; the Cowboys rank among the nation’s best in shutouts (5), strikeouts per nine innings (10.2) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.64).

 

  • Arizona State is 35-18 and brings a three-game winning streak to Stillwater after a Tuesday night run-rule win at home vs. Grand Canyon.

 

  • At 18-9 in Big 12 play, the Sun Devils are second in the conference standings.  

 

  • The Sun Devils are hitting a Big 12-best .322 as a team and averaging nearly nine runs per game. Matt King is hitting a team-high .386, while Isaiah Jackson leads ASU with 15 homers and 62 RBIs.

 

  • ASU’s pitching staff sports a 5.18 ERA and has 578 strikeouts and 229 walks in 460 2/3 innings.

 

  • OSU owns an 18-17 advantage in the all-time series and has won the last six meetings. OSU is 11-5 against the Sun Devils under head coach Josh Holliday. 



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How Boise State Challenges College Football’s Playoff System

While the sports world is focused on the NBA and NHL Playoffs, something nefarious is happening in college football. No, true believer, the college football world isn’t rescinding NIL and the Transfer Portal. However, a significant change appears, influencing how the college football playoff selection process will select its top teams. And you can blame […]

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While the sports world is focused on the NBA and NHL Playoffs, something nefarious is happening in college football. No, true believer, the college football world isn’t rescinding NIL and the Transfer Portal.

However, a significant change appears, influencing how the college football playoff selection process will select its top teams. And you can blame Boise State for once again being the great disruptor of the game.

Years ago, the Bowl Championship Series, BCS, was designed to highlight the big market schools and eliminate any opportunity for any team outside their cartel from competing and crashing their party.

The Boise State Broncos, who defeated Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, provided a blueprint for beating the BCS. The cartel eliminated the BCS, moving to a two-team, four-team, and now twelve-team playoff.

Boise State surprised the world last year by securing a first-round bye because it was one of the four highest-ranked conference champions. Pundits and the commissioner of the Big 12, whose team was behind Boise State, were outraged.

Although it would’ve been insane for the Broncos to host a playoff game on the Blue they settled for playing Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. Although Boise State lost, several power brokers vowed never to let their top finish happen again.

CBS Sports reports that the college football cartel plans to eliminate conference champions’ first-round byes, as Kevin Miller would say, so much for letting them compete on the field.

This is the last year of the current agreement, meaning all conferences and Notre Dame must agree to the change. Next year, only the Big 10 and SEC will decide the format.

We’ll continue to update you on this developing story.

The 10 Most Important Moments in Boise State Football History

Gallery Credit: Marco

The 10 Most Important Moments in Boise State Football History

Gallery Credit: Marco

Former Boise State QB Is Now a Dad

Fans in Boise are obsessed with this little guys name!

Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM





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John Calipari touts Arkansas basketball's roster continuity at Little Rock roadshow stop

LITTLE ROCK — John Calipari, more or less, hits the same topics when he speaks. There was no team when he was first hired, the transfer portal needs to be solved, he’s still going to recruit freshmen, last season’s Arkansas basketball team’s turnaround was due to the players coming together. 0

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John Calipari touts Arkansas basketball's roster continuity at Little Rock roadshow stop

LITTLE ROCK — John Calipari, more or less, hits the same topics when he speaks.

There was no team when he was first hired, the transfer portal needs to be solved, he’s still going to recruit freshmen, last season’s Arkansas basketball team’s turnaround was due to the players coming together.

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‘I don’t really know’ what presidential commission on college athletics would do

While speaking with the media on Wednesday at the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, former Alabama football coach Nick Saban said he wasn’t sure what the rumored presidential commission on college athletics would be tasked with doing. Saban, who is reportedly set to co-chair the commission after recently meeting with President Donald Trump, emphasized his commitment […]

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While speaking with the media on Wednesday at the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, former Alabama football coach Nick Saban said he wasn’t sure what the rumored presidential commission on college athletics would be tasked with doing.

Saban, who is reportedly set to co-chair the commission after recently meeting with President Donald Trump, emphasized his commitment to help college football be better.

“To be honest with you, I don’t really know much about this commission. I don’t really know what this commission would do,” Saban told reporters. “You know, I think we know what needs to be done, I just think we’ve got to figure out who’s got the will to do it.”

“I learned one thing about coaching for all these years, that, you know, when you get into a subject like this, that’s very complex. It’s probably good not to talk about it off the cuff,” he continued. “So, I’ll find out more about it, and if there’s something I can do to help college football be better, I’m always going to be committed to do that. I was committed to do that as a coach, to help players be more successful in life, and I would continue to do the same thing now.”

Saban left Alabama’s head coaching gig abruptly in January 2024. He later cited the landscape of college football with NIL, the transfer portal and other aspects for retiring.

The legendary coach reportedly told Trump that he believed the influx of money had damaged college sports.

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].

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Big offense powers Harrisburg over Mitchell softball

May 13—MITCHELL — Harrisburg, the top team in the Class AA softball standings, unleashed 18 runs and 13 hits in three innings, cruising to an 18-2 victory over Mitchell on Tuesday at the Cadwell Sports Complex. Harrisburg scored four runs in the first, five more in the second inning and blew open the game with […]

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May 13—MITCHELL — Harrisburg, the top team in the Class AA softball standings, unleashed 18 runs and 13 hits in three innings, cruising to an 18-2 victory over Mitchell on Tuesday at the Cadwell Sports Complex.

Harrisburg scored four runs in the first, five more in the second inning and blew open the game with nine runs in the third inning to lead 18-0 after 2 1/2 innings. Mitchell committed seven errors in the loss.

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The Tigers, who had won 12 of the last 13 games prior to Tuesday, had four RBIs from Anna Simunek and a three-run home run from Kennedy Kokenge. Ava Gross posted four hits and Jersee Thomas and Maleia Knutson each had two hits for Harrisburg. Kylie Visker was the winning pitcher with three hits and two runs allowed and one strikeout in three innings of work.

The Kernels’ Matteah Graves had an RBI triple and scored a run, while Lauren Van Overschelde also drove in a run and Jasmine Dirkes had a double and a run scored. Mitchell had Rylee Jennings, Brooklyn Schlimgen and Macey Linke pitch in the game, with Jennings taking the loss with 2 1/3 innings pitched, seven hits and 10 runs (seven earned) and three walks.

Harrisburg (13-2) takes on Rapid City Stevens at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15 in Sioux Falls.

Mitchell (5-9) will travel to Brookings on May 16 in a makeup game from earlier in the season before closing the regular-season schedule on May 23 by hosting Tea Area.



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