Link: https://www.baseballamerica.com/sto...urnament-bracket-projected-field-of-64-may-5/
The Big Ten Picture
Not all conferences are created equal. The SEC will push multiple teams into the field with sub-.500 league records. ACC teams can garner consideration around .500 and the Big 12 typically requires a few games above .500 with solid metrics. In the Big Ten, the margin for error is much slimmer.
Here’s where each projected tournament team or bubble team stands:
UCLA: As the No. 1 team in the country for 13 straight weeks, owners of the top RPI and the winningest team in the nation, UCLA is an easy choice for the No. 1 overall seed. But series against Oregon and Washington remain, and both are capable of changing that quickly. The Bruins control their position.
USC: The Trojans remain 0-8 in Quad I games, but their RPI has climbed to No. 10 and they are on pace to surpass 40 regular season wins. That supports a host spot for now, but it’s not secure. One losing weekend would likely push them back to the two line.
Nebraska: Avoiding a sweep at Ohio State was critical, and the Huskers failed to do it. Evan as a Quad II result, that outcome was enough to push Nebraska out of the host picture for now. A return to the Top 16 is possible, but it likely requires both strong results and help from others.
Oregon: At 35-12 overall and 17-7 in conference play, Oregon sits at No. 27 in RPI with the No. 99 strength of schedule, neither of which supports a host profile. Instead, the Ducks are a solid two-seed. A series win over UCLA would change the conversation quickly, however.
Michigan: Michigan sits relatively comfortably in the field with the No. 42 RPI, a 30-17 overall record and 15-9 conference record. Its 2-8 Quad I record is a concern, but consistency has helped, with just three losing weekends and none since early April. That positioning holds if it wins at Minnesota and takes its final home series against Ohio State.
Purdue: Purdue sits in the Next Four Out and faces a difficult climb with Indiana and Cockeye remaining. An RPI of No. 52 and a No. 104 strength of schedule leave little room for upward movement.
Top 16 Seeds
1. UCLA
2. Georgia Tech
3. Texas
4. Auburn
5. North Carolina
6. Georgia
7. Kansas
8. Coastal Carolina
9. Texas A&M
10. Florida State
11. Mississippi State
12. Southern Mississippi
13. Alabama
14. Florida
15. USC
16. Oregon State
Last Four In
North Carolina State
East Carolina
TCU
Vanderbilt
First Four Out
Louisiana-Lafayette
Alabama-Birmingham
Pittsburgh
Kent State
Next Four Out
Western Carolina
Purdue
Arkansas State
LSU
=====================
GAINESVILLE REGION
#1 Florida (#14)
#4 North Florida
#2 Nebraska (#19)
#3 North Carolina State
AUSTIN REGION
#1 Texas (#3)
#4 Southeastern Louisiana
#2 Jacksonville State
#3 TCU
The Big Ten Picture
Not all conferences are created equal. The SEC will push multiple teams into the field with sub-.500 league records. ACC teams can garner consideration around .500 and the Big 12 typically requires a few games above .500 with solid metrics. In the Big Ten, the margin for error is much slimmer.
Here’s where each projected tournament team or bubble team stands:
UCLA: As the No. 1 team in the country for 13 straight weeks, owners of the top RPI and the winningest team in the nation, UCLA is an easy choice for the No. 1 overall seed. But series against Oregon and Washington remain, and both are capable of changing that quickly. The Bruins control their position.
USC: The Trojans remain 0-8 in Quad I games, but their RPI has climbed to No. 10 and they are on pace to surpass 40 regular season wins. That supports a host spot for now, but it’s not secure. One losing weekend would likely push them back to the two line.
Nebraska: Avoiding a sweep at Ohio State was critical, and the Huskers failed to do it. Evan as a Quad II result, that outcome was enough to push Nebraska out of the host picture for now. A return to the Top 16 is possible, but it likely requires both strong results and help from others.
Oregon: At 35-12 overall and 17-7 in conference play, Oregon sits at No. 27 in RPI with the No. 99 strength of schedule, neither of which supports a host profile. Instead, the Ducks are a solid two-seed. A series win over UCLA would change the conversation quickly, however.
Michigan: Michigan sits relatively comfortably in the field with the No. 42 RPI, a 30-17 overall record and 15-9 conference record. Its 2-8 Quad I record is a concern, but consistency has helped, with just three losing weekends and none since early April. That positioning holds if it wins at Minnesota and takes its final home series against Ohio State.
Purdue: Purdue sits in the Next Four Out and faces a difficult climb with Indiana and Cockeye remaining. An RPI of No. 52 and a No. 104 strength of schedule leave little room for upward movement.
Top 16 Seeds
1. UCLA
2. Georgia Tech
3. Texas
4. Auburn
5. North Carolina
6. Georgia
7. Kansas
8. Coastal Carolina
9. Texas A&M
10. Florida State
11. Mississippi State
12. Southern Mississippi
13. Alabama
14. Florida
15. USC
16. Oregon State
Last Four In
North Carolina State
East Carolina
TCU
Vanderbilt
First Four Out
Louisiana-Lafayette
Alabama-Birmingham
Pittsburgh
Kent State
Next Four Out
Western Carolina
Purdue
Arkansas State
LSU
=====================
GAINESVILLE REGION
#1 Florida (#14)
#4 North Florida
#2 Nebraska (#19)
#3 North Carolina State
AUSTIN REGION
#1 Texas (#3)
#4 Southeastern Louisiana
#2 Jacksonville State
#3 TCU
