NCAA baseball tournament 2024: Regional picks, predictions on road to College World Series (2024)

Teams: 1. (1) Tennessee | 2. Southern Miss | 3. Indiana | 4. Northern Kentucky

Analysis: Tennessee is the top seed for a reason. The Vols absolutely ripped through a loaded SEC, winning all but one of their conference series and coming back from an early SEC Tournament loss to sweep both the regular-season and tournament crowns. They also secured at least 50 victories for a third season under coach Tony Vitello. Southern Miss will provide a tough challenge after facing Tennessee in a super regional last year. The Golden Eagles have a solid pitching rotation and a veteran lineup, and they've already beat a pair of SEC teams in Alabama and Ole Miss this season. Still, Tennessee should carry the day, especially since it gets to play within the friendly confines of Lindsey Nelson Stadium, where it's 78-8 over the last two years. — Will Backus

Pick: Tennessee

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Indiana vs. Southern Miss, 1 p.m.

Game 2: Northern Kentucky vs. Tennessee, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (2) Kentucky | 2. Indiana State | 3. Illinois | 4. Western Michigan

Analysis: After earning its second-ever regular-season conference title in program history (tied with Tennessee atop the SEC Eastern Division), Kentucky has a chance to reach the super regional round in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history, this time as the national No. 2 seed. Wildcats outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt has garnered first-round looks and head coach Nick Mingione earned SEC Coach of the Year honors for the second time (2017). Advancing won't be easy, though, as the Wildcats play host to Indiana State — a widely projected regional host prior to a conference tournament collapse — and an Illinois squad that won the Big Ten regular-season title to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Western Michigan, which won 32 total games, including 15 on the road, will look to make noise as the regional No. 4 seed. — Jacob Rudner

Pick: Kentucky

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Western Michigan vs. Kentucky, noon

Game 2: Illinois vs. Indiana State, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (3) | 2. Louisiana | 3. Texas | 4. Grambling

Analysis: With projected 2024 top-eight pick Braden Montgomery, potential 2025 No. 1 overall selection Jace LaViolette and 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year Gavin Grahovac all featured prominently in its lineup, Texas A&M is one of the most dangerous teams in this year's field of 64, and it will have an opportunity to prove it in a College Station Regional that is also home to Sun Belt regular-season champ Louisiana, a Texas squad that reached two of the last three College World Series and SWAC Tournament winner Grambling. The Aggies are the clear favorites in the regional, though, and for good reason. — Rudner

Pick: Texas A&M

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Grambling vs. Texas A&M, 1 p.m.

Game 2: Texas vs. Louisiana, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (4) North Carolina | 2. LSU | 3. Wofford | 4.Long Island

Analysis: North Carolina got a very, very tough draw for its regional. The Tar Heels have to deal with a scorching-hot LSU team and a dangerous Wofford squad with solid pitching, led by ace Zac Cowan. Compounding matters is the fact that Vance Honeycutt, an elite defensive center fielder and one of UNC's best bats, is dealing with back spasms that caused him to miss much of the ACC Tournament. If Honeycutt's healthy, North Carolina has a lineup that can get the best of any pitching. That should help them in a region loaded with some great arms. — Backus

Pick: North Carolina

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Wofford vs. LSU, noon

Game 2: LIU vs. North Carolina, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (5) Arkansas | 2. Louisiana Tech | 3. Kansas State | 4. Southeast Missouri State

Analysis: With SEC Pitcher of the Year Hagen Smith at the front of its rotation and a host of hard-throwing and extremely effective arms behind him, Arkansas is as well-equipped as any program in the nation to succeed in the postseason as pitching tends to reign supreme. The issue for the Razorbacks, however, is that their offense can at times lag behind their all-star arms, raising questions about just how deep they'll be able to push into the postseason. The good news for the Razorbacks is that they got what is widely viewed as a favorable draw in the regional round, especially since games will be played at Arkansas' Baum-Walker Stadium, where the Razorbacks are 33-3 this year. — Rudner

Pick:Arkansas

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Southeast Missouri vs. Arkansas, 3 p.m.

Game 2: Kansas State vs. Louisiana Tech, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (6) Clemson | 2. Vanderbilt | 3. Coastal Carolina | 4. High Point

Analysis: Vanderbilt's offense was lackluster for the majority of the year, though the bats came alive late in the season during the Commodores' run to the SEC Tournament Championship Game. They put 13 runs on the board against Tennessee and plated at least four in each of their four contests in that span. Coastal Carolina is an enticing upset pick, given that the Chanticleers beat the likes of Wake Forest and North Carolina and swept a series against Michigan in the regular season, but they haven't been elite away from home. If it comes down to Clemson vs. Vanderbilt, the 'Dores could have an edge — provided their bats stay hot enough to take advantage of an inconsistent Clemson pitching staff. — Backus

Pick: Vanderbilt

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Coastal Carolina vs. Vanderbilt, noon

Game 2: High Point vs. Clemson, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (7) Georgia | 2. UNC Wilmington | 3. Georgia Tech | 4. Army

Analysis: The Bulldogs put together a great showing in their first year under the direction of head coach Wes Johnson, a renowned pitching coach who moved to Athens after spending the 2023 season with reigning national champion LSU. Georgia has done its damage at the plate behind the bat of Golden Spikes and first-overall pick hopeful Charlie Condon, whose 35 home runs are a new BBCOR-era record. However, Georgia's pitching has looked shaky throughout the year, which could open the door for a regional upset with CAA Tournament champion UNC Wilmington, ACC at-large bid Georgia Tech and Patriot League regular-season and tournament champion Army all traveling to Athens. The Bulldogs are 29-5 at home this season and even with recent inconsistencies, it's hard to imagine they won't survive round one. — Rudner

Pick: Georgia

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Army vs. Georgia, 1 p.m.

Game 2: Georgia Tech vs. UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 6 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, noon

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (8) Florida State | 2. Alabama | 3. UCF | 4. Stetson

Analysis: Stetson is a really interesting team here. It split a four-game series against West Virginia and beat the likes of Florida, UCF and Florida State in midweek games, though the Hatters also lost at least once against each of those teams. Probably not the team to win it all, but don't be surprised if they come one game short of the supers. Alabama and UCF haven't shown enough consistency to inspire confidence in postseason success, while Florida State has the hitting to overwhelm just about any team in the country. — Backus

Pick: Florida State

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Stetson vs. Florida State, noon

Game 2: UCF vs. Alabama, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (9) Oklahoma | 2. Duke | 3. UConn | 4. Oral Roberts

Analysis: There are few things as dangerous in postseason baseball as a red-hot team playing with something to prove. Enter the Blue Devils, who ran the table in the ACC Tournament but finished one or two spots shy of hosting a regional. Duke was always going to be a brutal draw for a national seed, and Oral Roberts is the NCAA Tournament's reigning Cinderella team after it rolled all the way to Omaha last season as a regional four-seed. There is some real upset potential here for Oklahoma, which split a two-game series earlier this year with the Golden Eagles. — Carter Bahns

Pick: Duke

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: UConn vs. Duke, 1 p.m.

Game 2: Oral Roberts vs. Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (10) NC State | 2. South Carolina | 3. James Madison | 4. Bryant

Analysis: NC State battled crucial injuries throughout the year. In the past month alone, it lost key relief pitcher Shane Van Dam to a UCL injury and starting outfielder Josh Hogue to a broken leg. While the Wolfpack have done an admirable job of picking up the slack despite a slew of setbacks, and they're relatively healthy outside of those two losses, it's a tough time to be dealing with the loss of key players. Especially when power-hitting teams like South Carolina and James Madison are coming to town. South Carolina's Cole Messina tore the SEC Tournament up with four home runs and 16 RBIs, a new record for the event. But the Gameco*cks have a top-heavy lineup and strike out quite often with big swings, while NC State has one of the most well-rounded offensive approaches in the nation. The Wolfpack should put enough runs up to outlast any team that makes a run. — Backus

Pick: NC State

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: James Madison vs. South Carolina, 2 p.m.

Game 2: Bryant vs. NC State, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (11) Oklahoma State | 2. Nebraska | 3. Florida | 4. Niagara

Analysis: After winning four of their five Big 12 Tournament games to claim the conference title and boost their season win total to 40, the Cowboys were named regional hosts for the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. But the NCAA did them no favors in the selection process, assigning Big Ten Tournament champion Nebraska to Stillwater as the No. 2 seed and the always-dangerous Florida, which is home to Golden Spikes candidate Jac Caglianone, as the No. 3. Anything can happen in the offense-friendly confines of O'Brate Stadium, but Oklahoma State enters the postseason with a 4.06 team ERA, the 11th-best mark in the nation. As ripe for an upset as this regional could be, the Cowboys are still strong favorites before things get underway. — Rudner

Pick: Oklahoma State

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Florida vs. Nebraska, 3 p.m.

Game 2: Niagara vs. Oklahoma State, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 2 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (12) Virginia | 2. Mississippi State | 3. St. John's | 4. Pennsylvania

Analysis: Some viewed Mississippi State as a legitimate candidate to host a regional, so the Bulldogs are a tough draw for Virginia. This one will likely come down to strength vs. strength: Virginia's explosive offense against a robust Mississippi State pitching staff. The Cavaliers have one of the most effective lineups in the nation, with every starter above or just under a .300 batting average. They average almost 10 runs per game and scored at least seven runs in each of their last five contests. But Mississippi State has a team ERA of 4.15, which ranks 12th nationally, and an elite starting duo of Khal Stephen and Jurrangelo Cijntje. Though the Bulldogs have an average offensive attack, Virginia's pitching has been spotty this year. In a sport where strong pitching often wins the day, it's hard not to give an advantage to Mississippi State. — Backus

Pick:Mississippi State

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Penn vs. Virginia, noon

Game 2: St. John's vs. Mississippi State, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (13) Arizona | 2. Dallas Baptist | 3. West Virginia | 4. Grand Canyon

Analysis: Arizona was on the hosting bubble but locked up a home regional with Pac-12 titles in both the regular season and conference tournament. Its reward for earning a top-16 seed? Arguably the toughest regional field of any host school. Low-major powerhouses Dallas Baptist and Grand Canyon are formidable opponents on the regional No. 2 and No. 4 seed lines and could give the Wildcats fits, and their fanbases (particularly that of the Lopes) should travel well to Hi Corbett Field. GCU is one of the top candidates to make a splash with a Friday night upset given that it won the regular-season series against Chip Hale's Wildcats. Look out for chaos in Tucson. — Bahns

Pick: Dallas Baptist

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: West Virginia vs. Dallas Baptist, 3 p.m.

Game 2: Grand Canyon vs. Arizona, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 4 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (14) UC Santa Barbara | 2. San Diego | 3. Oregon | 4. Fresno State

Analysis: Facility upgrades at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium and a terrific run to the Big West title made UC Santa Barbara a late riser in the hosting conversation. The Gauchos carry a 14-game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament, fueled in large part by the emergence of third starter Tyler Bremner, who went at least seven innings in all but two of his last seven starts and has a pair of double-digit strikeout efforts this month. Oregon is the lone high-major conference team in this regional, and San Diego is an equally strong upset candidate, but the Gauchos get the nod after going a perfect 25-0 at home this year and beating the Ducks in a non-conference series. — Bahns

Pick:UC Santa Barbara

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Oregon vs. San Diego, 3 p.m.

Game 2: Fresno State vs. UC Santa Barbara, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 4 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (15) Oregon State | 2. UC Irvine | 3. Nicholls | 4. Tulane

Analysis: Despite landing the second-lowest national seed, Oregon State secured one of the more favorable draws in this tournament. That is a huge win for the Beavers, whose bullpen concerns make staying in the winners' bracket a must. Elite pro prospect Travis Bazzana headlines a lineup capable of posting double-digit runs anytime it takes the field, and that run support should be enough to get staff ace Aiden May and the rest of the talented rotation to the supers. Tulane and UC Irvine are threats with their winning records against Quad 1 opponents, but Nicholls is a measly 1-11 in Quad 1 and Quad 2 play, combined. — Bahns

Pick: Oregon State

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Nicholls vs. UC Irvine, 4 p.m.

Game 2: Tulane vs. Oregon State, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 4 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)

Teams: 1. (16) East Carolina | 2. Wake Forest | 3. VCU | 4. Evansville

Analysis: In Greenville, an East Carolina team that many argue should have been on the outside looking in from a hosting perspective welcomes a top-10 RPI team in Wake Forest to Clark-Leclair Stadium. This is a recipe for an upset. Making matters more challenging for ECU is the potential absence of ace and likely first-round draft pick Trey Yesavage, who last week landed in the hospital with a partially collapsed lung. If he cannot pitch in the regional, everyone in the Pirates' pitching staff moves up a spot. That bodes well for a Demon Deacons roster that still has some of the nation's best talent despite its disappointing 38-20 record and .500 mark in ACC play. — Bahns

Pick: Wake Forest

REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Game 1: Evansville vs. East Carolina, 1 p.m.

Game 2: VCU vs. Wake Forest, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Game 7: TBD (if necessary)