Last Eight In: Nebraska, Southern Mississippi, North Carolina State, South Florida, Maryland, UC Irvine, Georgia Tech, Texas
First Eight Out: Southern California, Minnesota, West Virginia, Oregon, Louisiana Tech, Saint Mary’s, Michigan State, UCF
Both Kentucky and Auburn made statements last weekend as they opened SEC play. Kentucky went to Texas A&M and swept the Aggies, while Auburn hosted Florida and swept the Gators. Both teams entered the weekend with great records, Kentucky was 13-6 and Auburn was 14-5, but both teams lacked quality wins. They don’t now. Both Florida and Texas A&M entered the year with high expectations, but now must regroup quickly. Florida had national title aspirations entering the season and everything was going according to plan until last week. The Gators have lost six games over that time and now face a tough test coming up as LSU heads to Gainesville nest weekend. The Gators are in a real need for a win right now. As for Texas A&M, the Aggies will have to travel to Vanderbilt next weekend with a chance to rebound. Both A&M and Vanderbilt lost their first SEC series, making next weekend very important for both clubs.
Outside the SEC, Florida Gulf Coast is a team making some serious noise this year. The Eagles beat Florida twice two weeks ago in midweek contests and followed that up with a series win over Ohio State. Last week, FGCU topped Florida State in a midweek contest and then swept Rutgers over the weekend. At 18-3 on the year, Florida Gulf Coast has passed all of their tests to date with flying colors and have positioned themselves well as they get closer to the start of conference play. South Florida, who is off to an impressive 19-1 start, comes to town for a midweek contest. The USF game is one of 10 midweek games against bigger Florida schools left on the Eagles schedule, and if they can continue to play well in those contests, Florida Gulf Coast could find themselves in the mix to host at the end of the year.
ACC: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Wake Forest
American: East Carolina, Houston, South Florida
Big East: St. Johns
Big 12: Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech
Big Ten: Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska
Pac-12: Arizona, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington
SEC: Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, 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: Liberty
Big West: Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, UC Irvine
CAA: Charleston
C-USA: Florida Atlantic, Southern Mississippi
Horizon: Wright State
Ivy: Dartmouth
MAAC: Canisius
MAC: Kent State
MEAC: Florida A&M
MVC: Dallas Baptist
MWC: New Mexico
NEC: Central Connecticut State
OVC: Tennessee Tech
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
