Last Eight In: Oklahoma, Minnesota, Auburn, Florida Atlantic, Wake Forest, Arizona State, Missouri, Michigan
First Eight Out: Kentucky, Southern California, Maryland, West Virginia, Oregon, Louisiana Tech, Saint Mary’s, Michigan State
The teams at the top, Florida and TCU, struggled a bit last week. Florida lost a pair of midweek games to Florida Gulf Coast and then dropped an extra inning contest to Seton Hall in their weekend series. TCU went out west to play UC Irvine and lost the series, dropping the first two games before winning on Sunday to salvage the weekend. Both teams made it to Omaha last year and returned a number of key players, making them early favorites to return again this year. The early losses like they experienced last week were unexpected, but shouldn’t cause any concern yet. If it continues, then that could change. Both teams will get chances to turn the page on Tuesday, as Florida gets a big-time matchup with Florida State and TCU stays out west where they will play Long Beach State.
Looking forward to this weekend, SEC opens conference play and will provide a few teams with a chance to test their teams this season. Kentucky is one team to watch as they travel to Texas A&M. The Wildcats started the season 2-5, but have won 9 of their last 10 since. Which team is Kentucky this season? This weekend should give a good indication. Outside the SEC, NC State and Miami will square off in a big series. Both teams entered the season with high expectations but have really struggled. A series win could go a long way for both of these teams.
ACC: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Wake Forest
American: East Carolina, Houston
Big East: St. Johns
Big 12: Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech
Big Ten: Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska
Pac-12: Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington
SEC: Arkansas Auburn, Florida, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
A-10: Saint Louis
America East: Binghamton
A-Sun: Florida Gulf Coast
Big South: High Point
Big West: Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, UC Irvine
CAA: Charleston
C-USA: Florida Atlantic, Rice
Horizon: Wright State
Ivy: Dartmouth
MAAC: Fairfield
MAC: Kent State
MEAC: Florida A&M
MVC: Dallas Baptist
MWC: San Diego State
NEC: Bryant
OVC: Southeast Missouri
Patriot: Navy
Southern: Mercer
Southland: Sam Houston State
Summit: Oral Roberts
Sun Belt: Coastal Carolina, Louisiana
SWAC: Alabama State
WAC: New Mexico State
WCC: San Diego
