Last Eight In: California, East Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan State, Mississippi, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tulane
First Eight Out: Alabama, Bradley, Connecticut, Indiana, Liberty, Memphis, Louisiana, UCF
The Big Ten is really starting to gain recognition this season on a national level. Illinois and Ohio State squared off in a series that headlined last weekend’s action and Illinois showed how good they are under the spotlight. The Illini swept a talented Ohio State team to bring their win streak to 21 and they sit in prime position for a national seed in the tournament. Illinois is just one of the talented teams in the Big Ten, as six teams are in this regional projection, joined by Iowa, Ohio State, Maryland, Michigan State and Nebraska. Iowa sits a game and a half back of the Illini in the conference and is a lock for the NCAA Tournament, as is Ohio State who is in third. Maryland, Michigan State and Nebraska are all on the bubble, but should all be in as well. Maryland’s resume took a hit over the weekend, as they were swept at home by Indiana. The Hoosiers are a solid ball club that could get in to the field with a strong finish, but it was still a bad result for the Terrapins. Michigan State’s stock has soared in recent weeks with a series win over Indiana and a road win over Notre Dame. A loss on Sunday to Purdue hurt their RPI, but the Spartans are safe at the moment. Nebraska is heading in the wrong direction, but with a RPI in the top 30, a bid is still likely. With the conference featuring so many talented ball clubs, the Big Ten Tournament could be one of the most exciting conference tournaments in the country this season.
See the Projected Baseball NCAA Tournament Bracket
ACC: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia
American: East Carolina, Houston, South Florida, Tulane
Big East: St. John’s
Big 12: Oklahoma State, TCU
Big Ten: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State
Pac-12: Arizona State, California, Oregon State, UCLA, USC
SEC: Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
A-10: St. Louis
America East: Stony Brook
A-Sun: North Florida
Big South: Coastal Carolina, Radford
Big West: Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara
CAA: Charleston, UNC-Wilmington
C-USA: Rice, Florida Atlantic
Horizon: Wright State
Ivy: Columbia
MAAC: Canisius
MAC: Central Michigan
MEAC: Norfolk State
MVC: Dallas Baptist, Missouri State
MWC: Nevada
NEC: Bryant
OVC: Southeast Missouri
Patriot: Navy
Southern: Mercer
Southland: Southeastern Louisiana
Summit: Oral Roberts
Sun Belt: South Alabama
SWAC: Alabama State
WAC: Bakersfield
WCC: San Diego
See the Projected Baseball NCAA Tournament Bracket
