Month: June 2023

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College Baseball College Basketball College Football

Ranking Big 12 expansion candidates

Image Courtesy: CNN

New Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has made a few things clear. He wants to move back to twelve teams as soon as possible. He allowed Oklahoma and Texas to pay their way to the SEC a year earlier than expected. He also wants to dominate the basketball court with the league’s dominance in the sport (Baylor and Kansas won the the national titles in 2022 and 2023 titles respectively) with the Big Ten and SEC control on football. He wants to expand the conference beyond the middle part of the country (find out where he wants to expand later in this post). Here are seven teams the Big 12 could add to the conference, ranked:

1.Colorado
The Buffaloes are not the easy number one but they should have never left the conference originally a decade plus ago. They have an improving basketball program under Tad Boyle which fits new commissioner Brett Yormark’s want to focus on dominating basketball with the SEC and Big Ten’s control of football. In addition, the hiring of Deion Sanders means more ticket sales for the program and another good option to add to the conference.

2.Arizona
Adding Arizona to the Big 12 would mean adding the Phoenix location to the conference even though the university is in Tucson. The Wildcats have a powerful basketball program, an improving football program, and a steady basketball program.

3.Utah
Utah is in the same area in the country as Arizona and Colorado so they would be adding the same thing to the conference. However, reports have come out that the Utes do not want to come into the Big 12 with instate rival BYU, making them a less interested candidate.

4.Arizona State
At the beginning of realignment talks, Arizona and Arizona State were attached at the hip. Now, reports say that Arizona State is okay to stick in the Pac-12, where no new TV deal has been made. So, the Sun Devils seem like an unlikely option.

5.Connecticut
The Huskies won their fifth national championship in men’s basketball this past season which makes them a perfect fit in Brett Yormark’s Big 12. Yormark wants to dominate basketball and adding UConn would make that statement.

6.San Diego State
San Diego State wants out of the Mountain West but do they let the Aztecs go and if so where they go? The Pac-12 makes sense because of UCLA and USC’s move to the Big Ten, which creates a need for a southern California school in the conference. The Big 12 makes more sense in some ways because they already have a new television deal. We will have to wait and see if the Aztecs are offered a spot by Yormark.

7.Gonzaga
The Bulldogs are an interesting case. Head men’s basketball coach Mark Few has done everything except win the national title. With Yormark’s want to expand the conference, create new TV windows at night out west with potential new members like Gonzaga or San Diego State, and for basketball dominance, Gonzaga fits. However, without a football program, and the difficulty of the basketball conference top to bottom, they will not be at the top of the invite list just yet.

Categories
College Basketball

2023 Arkansas basketball off-season update

Image Courtesy: Best of Arkansas Sports

*Updated 6/28 with new games announced for the schedule*

Projected Starters
Keyon Menifield, Guard (Sophomore)
Davonte Davis, Guard (Senior)
Tramon Mark, Guard (Senior)
Trevon Brazile, Forward (Junior)
Makhi Mitchell, Forward/Center (Senior)

Eric Musselman’s starting lineup is in question right now with it being months from tip-off to the Razorbacks’ 101st season as a program. However, you can definitely bet on upcoming senior guard Davonte Davis being included in the lineup after leading the hogs to another appearance in the Sweet 16 last season. This starting lineup needs to lead the team beyond the second weekend of the tournament (Sweet 16 & Elite 8) to a Final Four and a national championship.

Bench
Jalen Graham, Forward/Center (Senior)
El Ellis, Guard (Senior)
Jeremiah Davenport, Guard/Forward (Senior)
Khalif Battle, Guard (Junior)
Joseph Pinion, Guard (Sophomore)
Layden Blocker, Guard (Freshman)
Baye Fall, Forward/Center (Freshman)

As you can see, the depth at guard for this Razorback team looks incredible on paper. Many fans wish there would have been a bigger focus on adding depth to the front court but fans should trust Eric Musselman to keep pounding this season.

2023 Class (per 247sports composite)
16.Baye Fall (#3C) Denver, CO (Accelerated Schools)
23.Layden Blocker (#4PG) Little Rock, AR (Sunrise Christian)

Transfer Additions
Tramon Mark, Guard (Senior) Former School: Houston
El Ellis, Guard (Senior) Former School: Louisville
Jeremiah Davenport, Guard/Forward (Senior) Former School: Cincinnati
Chandler Lawson, Forward (Senior) Former School: Memphis
Khalif Battle, Guard (Junior) Former School: Temple
Keyon Menifield, Guard (Sophomore) Former School: Washington

Transfers Out
Makhel Mitchell, Forward/Center (Senior) New School: Little Rock
Barry Dunning, Forward (Sophomore) New School: Alabama-Birmingham
Derrian Ford, Guard (Sophomore) New School: Arkansas State

Eric Musselman landed his heralded six member 2022 high school class of Nick Smith Jr., Anthony Black, Jordan Walsh, Joseph Pinion, Derrian Ford, and Barry Dunning, it was clearly a different strategy for Muss than in past years when he mainly focuses on transfers. After the 2022-2023 season, which was filled with injuries to Nick Smith and Trevon Brazile, Musselman has refocused on veteran transfers landing defensive stalwart Tramon Mark (Houston), high scoring guard El Ellis (Louisville), hot shooting forward Jeremiah Davenport (Cincinnati), defensive forward Chandler Lawson (Memphis), another high scoring guard in Khalif Battle (Temple), and playmaking point guard Keyon Menifield (Washington). With all of the options he has added at guard through the portal in addition to returning Davonte Davis, Arkansas needs to find a consistent shooter on perimeter and depth on the interior with the additions of Lawson and Davenport with Makhi Mitchell, Trevon Brazile, and Jalen Graham already on the roster.

2023-2024 Schedule (As it looks right now)
11/10 Gardner-Webb
11/13 Old Dominion
11/22-11/24 Battle 4 Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
11/29 Duke
12/21 Abilene Christian

The 2023-2024 SEC basketball opponents for each team were announced today. Arkansas will play Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, and Texas A&M at home and away. Arkansas will just host Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. The Razorbacks will just travel to Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. The entire schedule should be known by the end of August.

Other News
With the sixth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected Arkansas guard Anthony Black. Black is the first Razorback to be drafted in the top ten since Joe Johnson was selected tenth by the Boston Celtics in 2001. In addition, guard Nick Smith was selected twenty-seventh by the Charlotte Hornets and wing Jordan Walsh was selected thirty eighth by the Sacramento Kings and was then traded to the Boston Celtics. Wing Ricky Council signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Razorbacks had three draft picks for the first time since 1992 when they had four selections: Todd Day (Round 1, Pick 8; Milwaukee Bucks), Oliver Miller (Round 1, Pick 22; Phoenix Suns), Lee Mayberry (Round 1, Pick 23; Milwaukee Bucks), and Isaiah Morris (Round 2, Pick 37; Miami Heat.)



Categories
College Football

2023 cbhsports Arkansas College Football Preview: Nonconference slate

Image Courtesy: Deseret News

September 2
Western Carolina (Little Rock) (4 PM ET, ESPN+/SECN+)
The Razorbacks should dominate Western Carolina in this game. It may take them awhile to get in sync, but experienced QB KJ Jefferson and talented running back Rocket Sanders should lead Arkansas to their first win of the season in the capital city. Arkansas’ front seven, headed by defensive end Landon Jackson and linebacker Pooh Paul will create havoc in the backfield which should make it a relatively opener for the hogs. Projected Score: Arkansas 42, Western Carolina 14

September 9
Kent State (4 PM ET, SECN)
After a 5-7 (4-4) MAC record last season, the Golden Flashes lost their offensive coordinator, Sean Lewis, to Coach Prime and Colorado. Because they lost their coordinator, every starter left from that side of the ball, it will be hard for them to deal with an Arkansas defense that has its best front seven in a long time. The most talented group on the Kent State offense is the running back room. Historically, Arkansas has not dealt with running games very well so it will be important for the hogs’ defensive talent to step up in this game. The Golden Flashes do not know who their QB is yet between Drew Kargman and Jaren Lewis and are very inexperienced at receiver after losing three of their top targets to bigger schools in the transfer portal. To me, an inexperienced offense will not bode well in Fayetteville. There is not much depth expected on the defensive line but the Kent State linebacker room includes Purdue transfer Khalil Saunders and Missouri transfer Devin Nicholson so the veteran offensive line for the Razorbacks will have to block well against the talented Power 5 transfers in the Golden Flashes front seven. Arkansas should win this game easily in the second half after some first half struggles. Projected Score: Arkansas 45, Kent State 24

September 16
BYU (7:30 PM ET, ESPN2)
Arkansas raced through BYU in Provo 52-35 last October. One would think it will be even easier for the Razorbacks against the Cougars in Fayetteville who lost QB Jaren Hall to graduation. Former USC and West Virginia QB Kedon Slovis comes in as he looks to rejuvenate his career against a steady KJ Jefferson in the middle of September. The hogs’ front seven will have to deal with talented UNLV tailback transfer Aidan Robbins and the secondary will look to stop receiver Keanu Hill, Kody Epps, and other targets. To me, if Arkansas focuses on this game well during the week and do not let the BYU offense have their way on early downs, this game will go like it did last season. KJ Jefferson will look to feast on the BYU defense for the second consecutive year and if he does, the hogs should be looking at a 3-0 record headed to Baton Rouge the next week. Projected Score: Arkansas 31, BYU 21

November 18
Florida International (TBA, TBA)
Grayson James and the FIU passing offense was inconsistent last season. He will have to help them turn around if the Panthers have a shot of upsetting the hogs nearing the end of the season. The FIU offensive line has been good in pass blocking but will have to be better in run blocking after a so-so season in that area. A rough defensive unit for the Panthers returns a lot outside of the secondary as they add Bryant transfer Jack Daly (DT). Arkansas should run through this team because of the depth they have in the backfield with Rocket Sanders, AJ Green, and Rashod Dubinion after FIU gave up 37 points a game a season ago. If Arkansas’ passing game is clicking with an entirely new receiving core at this point in the season, it could be even worse for the Panthers. Upsets happen but this does not look like one in June to me. Projected Score: Arkansas 45, Florida International 10

Categories
NBA

2023 cbhsports NBA Mock Draft

Image Courtesy: Bleacher Report

1.San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama, Center, France
The talented 7’4 big man will be the first selection with his height and growing potential.
2.Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller, Forward, Alabama (Freshman)
Miller’s scoring ability makes him a great option at number two and may be the best option.
3.Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson, Guard, NBA G-League Ignite
If Henderson, does not get picked at two, he will likely be picked at three. However, the Blazers already have Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons so this pick may be traded.
4.Houston Rockets
Amen Thompson, Guard, Overtime Elite
If the Rockets don’t want their former star, James Harden, back Thompson is the obvious pick here.
5.Detroit Pistons
Cam Whitmore, Guard/Forward, Villanova (Freshman)
The Villanova wing’s upside fits perfectly next to Cade Cunningham in Detroit.
6.Orlando Magic
Ausar Thompson, Guard, Overtime Elite
If Amen goes four to Houston, Orlando will get the other brother, Ausar, as the Magic would continue to look like a terrific young team with him on the roster next to 2023 Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and guards Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz.
7.Indiana Pacers
Jarace Walker, Forward, Houston (Freshman)
Walker’s tremendous athleticism is something the Pacers have been missing. He is a perfect fit for this team.
8.Washington Wizards
Anthony Black, Guard, Arkansas (Freshman)
Black’s high basketball IQ and terrific passing ability make him someone that could be drafted even higher. The only thing I would worry about is him not having a consistent shot, which he has improved a bit.
9.Utah Jazz
Taylor Hendricks, Forward, Central Florida (Freshman)
The Jazz need a versatile forward to pair with leading scorer Lauri Markannen and so they should draft Taylor Hendricks if the draft looks like this.
10.Dallas Mavericks
Cason Wallace, Guard, Kentucky (Freshman)
If Kyrie Irving is headed out the door, the Mavs need a point guard. Cason Wallace, another guard that does not have a great shot, should be the pick here.
11.Orlando Magic
Gradey Dick, Guard, Kansas (Freshman)
The Magic need shooting and adding Gradey Dick, the talented shooter fo Kansas, will be a good selection.
12.Oklahoma City Thunder
Leonard Miller, Forward, NBA G-League Ignite
The Thunder add another versatile forward to their roster with the selection of Leonard Miller.
13.Toronto Raptors
Jalen Hood-Schifino, Guard, Indiana (Freshman)
Hood-Schifino’s scoring and passing ability would fit great in Toronto as they look to replace Kyle Lowry, who left to go to the Heat a few seasons ago.
14.New Orleans Pelicans
Nick Smith Jr., Guard, Arkansas (Freshman)
Smith might have been hurt and in and out of the lineup in his one season at Arkansas but his potential and floor is higher than most with his will to win and score the basketball.

Categories
College Football

2023 cbhsports College Football Preview: Arkansas

Image Courtesy: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Is Sam Pittman the right guy for Arkansas? Is he a bridge coach? All of the answers will be made in Sam Pittman’s fourth season as head coach. Pittman replaced both of his coordinators from the previous three seasons with veteran Dan Enos (offensive coordinator) and the younger Travis Williams (defensive coordinator). In addition, defensive backs guru Marcus Woodson has come on the staff and the hogs have had success on the recruiting trail defensively since he joined the staff. Will the coordinator replacements be as good as Barry Odom and Kendal Briles were during the 2021 season? If the answer is yes, the Razorbacks must get through a tough four game stretch away from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium from late September through the middle of October.

Multiple Game Previews (to be hyperlinked to post when published)
Nonconference Slate (to be published 6/24)
LSU, Texas A&M (7/8)
Ole Miss, Alabama, Mississippi State (7/15)
Florida, Auburn, Missouri (7/22)

Projected Depth Chart

QB
Starter
KJ Jefferson, Senior
Bench
Jacolby Criswell, Junior
Cade Fortin, Senior (RS)
Malachi Singleton, Freshman

KJ Jefferson is the unquestioned leader of this team. Under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Dan Enos, Jefferson’s passing needs to be refined. If that can be combined with his terrific running game, the hogs offense will be poised to be even better in 2023. The hogs finally get a veteran QB out of the portal that many expect to come in and support the hogs offense if Jefferson gets hurt and that is Arkansas native Jacolby Criswell, a North Carolina transfer who has a similar play style because of his similar size. Malachi Singleton is the future of the team, a talented QB from Georgia.

RB
Starter
Rocket Sanders, Junior
Bench
AJ Green, Junior
Rashod Dubinion, Sophomore
Dominique Johnson, Senior

If KJ Jefferson is the leader of the team, Rocket Sanders is the best player on his team, rushing for the second most in the SEC as a sophomore. If he continues his rise, Sanders can be a guy that not only gets awards at the end of the season but he can be an early NFL Draft pick. AJ Green, Rashod Dubinion, and the injured Dominque Johnson make up one of the best rooms in the country, coached by one of the best in the business, Jimmy Smith.

WR
Starters
Slot: Isaiah Sategna, Freshman (RS)
Outside: Andrew Armstrong Senior (RS)
Outside: Isaac TeSlaa, Senior
Bench
Bryce Stephens, Sophomorw (RS)
Tyrone Broden, Senior
Dazmin James, Freshman

The most inexperienced group on the roster has to replace the production of Matt Landers and Jadon Haselwood, who led the unit a season ago. Isaiah Sategna shined in the spring game with multiple receiving touchdowns while Andrew Armstrong and Isaac TeSlaa come in from lower levels where they both put up big numbers. Tyrone Broden, who came in from Bowling Green got injured during spring ball so he will have a chance to prove himself again during fall camp.

TE
Starter
Var’Keyes Gumms, Sophomore
Bench
Nathan Bax, Senior (RS)
Luke Hasz, Freshman

Former Stanford tight ends coach Morgan Turner brings in great experience from northern California where he coached many NFL talents such as the Dallas Cowboys’ Dalton Schultz. Turner replaces Dowell Loggains, an Arkansas alum who took the South Carolina offensive coordinator job. With Pittman’s offensive line scheme, the hogs should focus more on their tight end talent and the depth they brought in from the high school 2023 class and from the transfer portal. Former North Texas pass catcher Var’Keyes Gumms comes in and is expected to start as a sophomore after a terrific freshman season. Veteran Nathan Bax and talented freshmen Luke Hasz and Shamar Easter should also get playing time in the upcoming season.

OL
Starters
LT: Devon Manuel, Sophomore (RS)
LG: Brady Latham, Senior (RS)
OC: Beaux Limmer, Senior (RS)
RG: Josh Braun, Junior (RS)
RT: Patrick Kutas, Sophomore
Bench
Andrew Chamblee, Freshman (RS)
Cole Carson, Sophomore (RS)
Amaury Wiggins, Sophomore (RS)
Ty’Kieast Crawford, Senior
E’Marion Harris, Freshman (RS)

Cody Kennedy has done a terrific job with the offensive line during Sam Pittman’s tenure in Fayetteville. His line may be a little younger but is full of veterans like multiple year starters such as left guard Brady Latham and center Beaux Limmer. The line may need a little depth but the group definitely improved overall when it added Florida transfer Josh Braun to plug into the right guard position and young linemen such as E’Marion Harris, Cole Carson, and Amaury Wiggins.

DL
Starters
DE: Landon Jackson, Junior
DT: Cam Ball, Sophomore (RS)
DT: Taurean Carter, Senior
DE: Trajan Jeffcoat, Senior (RS)
Bench
Jashaud Stewart, Senior
Anthony Booker Jr., Senior (RS)
Eric Gregory, Senior (RS)
Zach Williams, Senior

For me, the Arkansas defense’s most talented unit is its defensive line. Led by upstart junior Landon Jackson, the defensive end who starred during spring practice, the line should get more sacks than it did a season ago where linebackers Drew Sanders and Bumper Pool ate up all of the tackles. Taurean Carter returns to the team after an injury riddled season as Cam Ball and Missouri transfer Trajan Jeffcoat continue their success making tackles in the backfield. The thing most improved on the defensive line is the depth with Maryland transfer Anthony Booker, Jashaud Stewart, Eric Gregory, and Zach Williams.

LB
Starters
Chris Paul Jr., Sophomore (RS)
Antonio Grier, Senior (RS)
Bench
Jordan Crook, Sophomore
Jaheim Thomas, Junior (RS)

Chris “Pooh” Paul should be the next in line after a long line of successful linebackers in Barry Odom’s defense: Grant Morgan, Drew Sanders, and Bumper Pool. In Travis Williams defense, the team will be pressuring the quarterback more so Paul and Central Florida transfer Antonio Grier can have success rushing the passer. Talented sophomore linebacker Jordan Crook and Cincinnati transfer Jaheim Thomas give reliable backup options to Paul and Grier.

Secondary
Starters
CB: Dwight McGlothern, Senior (RS)
CB: Jaheim Singletary, Sophomore
FS: Hudson Clark, Senior (RS)
SS: Lorando Johnson, Junior (RS)
NB: Alfahiym Walcott, Senior (RS)
Bench
Keey’von Stewart, Senior
AJ Brathwaite Jr., Senior (RS)
Malik Chavis, Senior (RS)

The Arkansas secondary was the absolute worst in the country after many injuries without much depth in 2022. However, Sam Pittman brought in Marcus Woodson, who turned a terrible Florida State unit into one of the best in the country. Woodson will look to do the same thing in Fayetteville with former LSU transfer Dwight McGlothern (4 picks in 2022) and transfers Lorando Johnson (Baylor), Alfahiym Walcott (Baylor), and Jaheim Singletary (Georgia). All four of the incoming defensive back transfers played significant times on their old teams.

Special Teams
Starters
Kicker: Cam Little, Junior
Punter: Max Fletcher, Sophomore
Kick-Off: Tyler Larco, Senior (RS)

Cam Little has brought stability to the Razorbacks’ kicking game with an 82% kicking percentage while Max Fletcher struggled to punt far consistently. Tyler Larco will take over kick-off duties as Little continues his success kicking extra points and kick-offs.

Incoming 2023 Class (via 247sports)
135.Jaylon Braxton (#15CB) Frisco,TX Lone Star HS
168.Shamar Easter (#9TE) Ashdown,AR Ashdown HS
196.Luke Hasz (#10TE) Bixby,OK Bixby HS
323.Isaiah Augustave (#21RB) Naples,FL Naples HS
362.Luke Brown (#19IOL) Paris,TN Henry County HS
373.Malachi Singleton (#22QB) Kennesaw,GA North Cobb HS
398.Davion Dozier (#57WR) Moody,AL Moody HS
427.Quincy Rhodes Jr. (#43DE) North Little Rock,AR North Little Rock HS
518.Dazmin James (#72WR) Clayton,NC Clayton HS
527.TJ Metcalf (#49S) Pinson,AL Pinson Valley HS
545.Dallas Young (#55CB) Gardendale,AL Gardendale HS
565.Paris Patterson (#44IOL) East St. Louis,IL East St. Louis HS
653.Christian Ford (#58S) McKinney,TX McKinney HS
677.Kaleb James (#74DL) Mansfield,TX Mansfield HS
754.Carson Dean (#71DE) Carrollton,TX Hebron HS
754.Alex Sanford (#63LB) Oxford,MS Oxford HS
814.RJ Johnson (#58ATH) McDonough,GA Eagles Landing Christian Academy
893.Joey Su’a (#69IOL) Bentonville,AR Bentonville HS
977.Brad Spence (#94DE) Houston,TX Klein Forest HS
NA.Ian Geffrard (#93OT) Mableton,GA Whitefield Academy
NA.Dylan Hasz (#135S) Bixby,OK Bixby HS

Transfer Additions (Year each player is going into)
Isaac TeSlaa, WR (Senior) Former School: Hillsdale College
Al Walcott, S (Senior) Former School: Baylor
Antonio Grier, LB (Senior) Former School: South Florida
John Morgan, DE (Senior) Former School: Pittsburgh
Trajan Jeffcoat, DE (Senior) Former School: Missouri
Anthony Booker, DT (Senior) Former School: Maryland
Jaheim Thomas, LB (Senior) Former School: Cincinnati
Tyrone Broden, WR (Senior) Former School: Bowling Green
Keivie Rose, DT (Senior) Former School: Louisiana Tech
Francis Sherman, TE (Senior) Former School: Louisville
Keeyon Stewart, CB (Senior) Former School: TCU
Andrew Armstrong, WR (Junior) Former School: Texas A&M-Commerce
Joshua Braun, OL (Junior) Former School: Florida
Jacolby Criswell, QB (Junior) Former School: North Carolina
Lorando Johnson, CB (Junior) Former School: Baylor
Jaheim Singletary, CB (Sophomore) Former School: Georgia
Var’Keyes Gumms, TE (Sophomore) Former School: North Texas

Schedule Preview
There will be doing multiple game breakdowns coming in the following Saturdays on the blog. My predicted results on this post are subject to change.
Schedule
9/2 West Carolina (Little Rock) Win
The hogs should cruise in the opener after a slow start in their home away from home in the central part of the state.
9/9 Kent State Win
In their Fayetteville opener, Arkansas should dominate Kent State.
9/16 BYU Win
The hogs dominated BYU on the road in Provo last season in one of QB KJ Jefferson’s best games as a hog. With BYU in the Big 12 and in Fayetteville for the return trip, the hogs will do the same thing they did to the cougars last season.
9/23 @ LSU Loss
LSU almost lost to the hogs without KJ Jefferson in Fayetteville last season. The tigers are poised to be talented again after an SEC West Championship season and should take care of the hogs late in Baton Rouge.
9/30 Texas A&M (Arlington) Loss
After a fast start in Arlington last season, Arkansas faltered late and lost their tenth game in eleven seasons to Texas A&M. A&M will be even more talented in 2023 and they will beat the Razorbacks yet again.
10/7 @ Ole Miss Loss
It will be tough for the hogs to beat the rebels for a third time in four seasons, especially again on the road in Oxford.
10/14 @ Alabama Loss
Alabama is still the standard bearer in the SEC. The hogs have not beaten Alabama since 2006 and they will not end the streak in 2023.
10/21 Mississippi State Win
Mississippi State crushed Arkansas at home in 2023 but with a first-year head coach, the Razorbacks will give the same game to the bulldogs they did in 202.
10/28 Off
11/4 @ Florida Win
Arkansas will go into Gainesville and pull out a much needed win in “The Swamp”.
11/11 Auburn Loss
Hugh Freeze’s offense gave Arkansas fits with Liberty in 2022 resulting in a loss and at Auburn, it will do the same thing.
11/18 Florida International Win
Arkansas needs to win this game if they want to become bowl eligible and they should beat the panthers.
11/24 Missouri (Senior day/night) Win
Arkansas has struggled to beat Missouri since 2016, some of the worst years of the Arkansas football program’s history. This could very well be KJ Jefferson’s last career game in Fayetteville and he will not go out with a loss.

Projected Record: 7-5 (3-5) SEC

Categories
College Baseball

2023 cbhsports NCAA College World Series Predictions

Image Courtesy: Rocky Top Talk

June 16

Game 1 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
TCU
Oral Roberts

Carter’s Pick: TCU

Game 2 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Florida
7.Virginia

Carter’s Pick: Virginia

June 17

Game 3 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
8.Stanford

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest

Game 4 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
5.LSU
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: 5.LSU

June 18

Game 5 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
7.Virginia
Oral Roberts

Carter’s Pick: 7.Virginia

Game 6 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Florida
TCU

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida

June 19

Game 7 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
8.Stanford
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: Tennessee

Game 8 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
5.LSU

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest

June 20

Game 9 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
7.Virginia
TCU

Carter’s Pick: TCU

Game 10 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
5.LSU
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: Tennessee

June 21

Game 11 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Florida
TCU

Carter’s Pick: TCU

Game 12 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest

June 22

Game 13 (2 or 7 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Florida
TCU

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida

Championship Series
Game 1 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
2.Florida

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida

Game 2 (3 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
2.Florida

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest

Game 3 (If necessary) (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
2.Florida

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida

Categories
College Baseball

2023 cbhsports NCAA College Baseball Super Regionals Predictions

Image Courtesy: Draft Kings

(All game times eastern)

Super Regionals (June 10-12)

Winston-Salem Super Regional (Winston-Salem, NC)
1.Wake Forest
16.Alabama

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest in 2

Wake Forest swept their way through their regional. They will look to do the same thing against Alabama, who appear in the supers for the first time since 2010. Infielders Brock Wilken (27 home runs) and Nick Kurtz (23 home runs) make it go for the Demon Deacons while pitchers Rhett Lowder (125) and Josh Hartle (120) lead them in punch outs. For Alabama, infielder Colby Shelton (22 home runs and 47 RBIs) and outfielder Andrew Pickney (17 home runs and 56 RBIs). Pitchers Jacob McNairy (83) and Luke Holoman (79) lead the Tide in strikeouts. All of that to say, I think the Demon Deacons will cruise to Omaha and become the first number one overall seed since COVID-19 to advance to Omaha.

Game 1: June 10, 12 PM ET, ESPN
Game 2: June 11, TBD, TBD
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Stanford Super Regional (Stanford, CA)
8.Stanford
Texas

Carter’s Pick: Texas in 3

Stanford had to come out of the loser’s bracket in their own regional and beat a red hot Texas A&M team twice. Texas’ talented pitching staff helped them cruise through the Coral Gables regional in just six games with two wins over the nine-seeded Hurricanes. The Cardinal lineup is very talented 1-9 while the Longhorns lineup includes outfielder Eric Kennedy (16 home runs and 45 RBIs) and infielder Dylan Campbell (13 home runs and 48 RBIs). The Horns’ pitching has been great as previously mentioned with Lucas Gordon (98 strikeouts) and Lebarron Johnson (94 strikeouts) while Stanford’s pitching has been led by Quinn Matthews, who has struck out 136 batters. Stanford has a lot of consistency but the Horns’ pitching will power them through.

Game 1: June 10, 6 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 11, TBD, TBD
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Baton Rouge Super Regional (Baton Rouge, LA)
5.LSU
12.Kentucky

Carter’s Pick: 5.LSU in 3

Kentucky lost two of three games to LSU in Baton Rouge this season but challenged the tigers more than most teams during the regular season. The Wildcats had to fight off Indiana to get another chance in Baton Rouge while the tigers defeated Oregon State to move on. Outfielders Dylan Crews and Tommy White as well as pitcher Paul Skenes power the tigers. But outside of Skenes, the pitching staff is weak at best. LSU coach Jay Johnson will need to hope that the MLB prospect Skenes dominates in his start because Kentucky is a good team. The Wildcats’ offense is very balanced but first baseman Hunter Gilliam has led their offense with 12 home runs and 71 RBIs and their pitching staff is led by Darren Williams, who has a 4-2 record. LSU should win at home with better pitching than they had against Kentucky during the regular season.

Game 1: June 10, 3 PM ET, ESPN
Game 2: June 11, TBD, TBD
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Hattiesburg Super Regional (Hattiesburg, MS)
Southern Miss
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: Tennessee in 3

Tennessee struggled at points during the regular season but made it to the Clemson regional as the two seed. They advanced through the regional in six games following a fourteen inning win in the 1-0 game over the tigers. Southern Miss has advanced to another super regional in Scott Berry’s last ride as head coach. With the eagles’ hosting this super regional, it gives them some sort of edge. But Tennessee’s play since last weekend shows me that they are back to being a confident team similar to where they were last season as the country’s top team. Southern Miss may not get the national attention that other SEC teams get because of being a smaller school but they have a power hitter in outfielder Slade Wilks (20 home runs and 58 RBIs) and led on defense by pitcher Tanner Hall who has a 12-3 record as the ace in Hattiesburg. Veteran outfielder Griffin Merritt (18 home runs and 46 RBIs) and infielder Christian Moore (17 home runs and 48 RBIs) power the Vols’ offense. Pitchers Andrew Lindsey (3-2 record; 64 strikeouts), Drew Beam (8-4 record; 72 strikeouts), Chase Dollander (6-6 record and 111 strikeouts), and Chase Burns (4-3 record and 100 strikeouts) are the main identity of this team. This super is going to be one of the closest this weekend.

Game 1: June 10, 3 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 11, TBD, TBD
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Super Regionals (June 9-11):

Eugene Super Regional (Eugene, OR)
Oregon
Oral Roberts

Carter’s Pick: Oregon in 3

Oregon went into Nashville and took one of the toughest regionals against the host, Vanderbilt. Oklahoma State could not advance out of its regional for the second consecutive postseason as the four seed, Oral Roberts got out of Stillwater and advanced to Eugene. Ducks’ infielder Drew Cowley and infielder Sabin Ceballos star in the offense with 16 home runs each. Logan Mercado leads the Oregon pitching staff with 70 strikeouts. For Oral Roberts, outfielder Matt Hogan leads the eagles with 16 home runs while pitchers Brooks Fowler (9-1 record; 73 strikeouts) and Jakob Hall (8-3 record; 87 strikeouts). The run should end for ORU and Oregon should move on to Omaha.

Game 1: June 9, 8 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 10, 9 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 3 (If necessary): June 11, TBD, TBD

Fort Worth Super Regional (Fort Worth, TX)
14.Indiana State
TCU

Carter’s Pick: TCU in 2
TCU’s offense was on fire and they cruised through the Fayetteville Regional in six games with two dominant wins over three seed Arkansas. If they continue at half the rate that they were hitting at last weekend with Tre Richardson hitting four home runs over the Frogs’ games in Fayetteville after only having two entering the weekend and Brayden Taylor continuing his dominance hitting the baseball. Their pitching also kept them from losing many leads against Arkansa. Indiana State was able to advance past Iowa and move to the supers. However, with them not hosting due there being another event, it will be tougher for the Sycamores to advance past the hot Horned Frogs. They will rely on infielder Mike Sears (19 home runs and 62 RBIs) and pitcher Matt Jachec (97 strikeouts) to help advance to Omaha. To me, TCU is too hot and they will eliminate the Sycamores.

Game 1: June 9, 5 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 10, 6 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 3 (If necessary): June 11, TBD, TBD

Charlottesville Super Regional (Charlottesville, VA)
7.Virginia
Duke

Carter’s Pick: Duke in 3

Virginia split the three games versus a very good East Carolina team and advanced to their own super regional. Duke defeated ten seed Coastal Carolina to set up an all-ACC match up. Virginia’s offense in powered by Jake Gelof (22 home runs and 84 RBIs), Kyle Teel (13 home runs and 64 RBIs), and Ethan O’Donnel (13 home runs and 52 RBIs) and their pitching staff is led by Connell Early, who boasts an 11-2 record and 90 strikeouts. The Blue Devils’ MJ Metz and Alex Stone lead the team with 17 home runs each while pitcher Alex Gow leads the team with 68 strikeouts. I think Duke’s bats help them upset Virginia.

Game 1: June 9, 12 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 10, 12 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 11, TBD, TBD

Gainesville Super Regional (Gainesville, FL)
2.Florida
15.South Carolina

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida in 3

Behind Wake Forest, Florida has been the second best team in the country for most of the season. The Gators had to fend off tournament regular Texas Tech to advance. South Carolina, a top three team with just three losses by the middle of the regular season, faltered with injuries late but they swept through their own regional. Florida’s lineup is led by pitcher/infielder Jac Caglianone (31 home runs , 84 RBIs, 7-3 record, 81 strikeouts as pitcher) as well as outfielder Wyatt Langford (18 home runs). South Carolina’s offense is powered by Ethan Petry (23 home runs and 75 RBIs) and their pitcher Jack Mahoney (80 strikeouts). The Gamecocks swept the Gators during the regular season but I think this will be a better series with Florida avenging their losses in three games.

Game 1: June 9, 6 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 10, 3 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 11, TBD, TBD

Categories
College Football

What SEC football will look like next season (2024)

Image Courtesy: The Journal Record

The only Power 5 football conference that will play eight conference games is the great SEC.

In Destin at the 2023 SEC Spring Meetings, Greg Sankey and the sixteen coaches agreed upon a one-year eight-game conference schedule for the 2024-2025 season. Each team will be required to play one opponent from the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, or Notre Dame when the Sooners and Longhorns join the league. The conference will eliminate divisions and the conference championship game will now feature the top two teams in the standings. According to Sankey, the one-year model allowed the conference members to play schools they were already under contract to play out of conference. He also believes a long term plan for football scheduling will be in place at next year’s meetings (that will likely be a nine-game format with three permanent rivals). Each school’s opponents will be announced on June 14th on the SEC Network. Although there are no “permanent” opponents according to the SEC’s official announcement, I would anticipate the SEC slating teams with their secondary rivals even though only a single permanent rival will be included in this single year slate. So, expect Alabama to draw Tennessee, Georgia to play Auburn, and Texas A&M to play Texas even though those two games are not expected primary rivals in the one year eight-game conference schedule. Here are the expected primary rivals according to sources for this one year format (they will play seven other SEC opponents on their schedule in 2024):

Alabama/Auburn
Arkansas/Missouri
Florida/Georgia
Kentucky/South Carolina
LSU/Texas A&M
Oklahoma/Texas
Ole Miss/Mississippi State
Tennessee/Vanderbilt

Categories
College Baseball

2023 cbhsports Fayetteville Regional Preview

Image Courtesy: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

2023 Fayetteville Regional Preview (Baum-Walker Stadium)
June 2-5
Teams:
3.Arkansas Razorbacks 41-16 (20-10) SEC
The Arkansas Razorbacks is back to hosting for the fifth time in the last six seasons. This is a strong regional but the diamond hogs have been very successful at home like always, going 30-4 at Baum-Walker Stadium this season. Despite losing expected Friday ace Jaxon Wiggins to Tommy John surgery, middle reliever Koty Frank, star second baseman Peyton Stovall, and outfielders Tavian Josenberger and Jared Wagner, and others at different points in the season has vastly hurt the team this season. But coach Dave Van Horn was able to win SEC coach of the year by doing one of his best coaching jobs of his career in Fayetteville. The hogs went 2-1 in Arlington at the College Baseball Showdown with wins over Texas and Oklahoma State and a loss to TCU, who happens to be heading to the Fayetteville Regional. The hogs won a share of the SEC regular season championship with Florida. The hogs have series wins over Tennessee (sweep), Auburn (sweep), Texas A&M (4-1 overall against the Aggies the season), South Carolina, and Alabama in addition to a single with against Army. All of those teams will be playing in the NCAA Tournament this weekend. The hogs did lose two out of three against LSU in Baton Rouge but took a game from the Tigers in the SEC Tournament. The only glaring spots of the Razorbacks’ schedule did get swept against Georgia in Athens and fell to Missouri State in Springfield and Lipscomb in Little Rock. Replacing Peyton Stovall at second base, Peyton Holt has been even better than anyone could have imagined in Fayetteville: 17 RBIs on 28 hits, a 5.92 slugging percentage, and a .469 on base percentage and he has been terrific on defense. Outfielder Jace Bohofren (14 and 51) leads the hogs in blasts and runs and Kendall Diggs (63) paced them in hits. Like I mentioned earlier, outfielders Jared Wegner and Tavian Josenberger will be important to the offensive success of the hogs’ as well.
(2) TCU Horned Frogs 37-22 (13-11) Big 12
A pre-season favorite to host in the tournament and make it to Omaha, TCU was up and down this season. It is important to note that TCU crushed Arkansas 18-6 at Globe Life Field in the 2023 College Baseball Showdown on the second day of the season in Arlington. The Horned Frogs also beat Vanderbilt and fell to former conference foe Missouri during open weekend in February. In other out of conference games, TCU took only one of three games against Florida State, defeated Dallas Baptist, a two seed in the tournament, shut out Michigan, and dropped a game to Louisville by a single run. In Big 12 play, TCU lost two out of three to Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech in addition to getting swept against West Virginia who are all in the tournament as either two or three seeds. They have beaten the only host in the conference Oklahoma State, three times out of four with a win on Sunday night in the Big 12 Tournament title game. The leaders for the Horned Frogs are infielder Brayden Taylor (21 home runs and 59 RBIs) and pitchers Cam Brown and Kole Klecker (55 strike outs each).
(3) Arizona Wildcats 33-24 (12-18) Pac-12
One of the last four at-large teams in the field, Arizona will have a chore with TCU on Friday in the opening round. Many were surprised the Wildcats got in with a (12-18) conference record in a weaker Pac-12 this season and being swept in four conference series (UCLA, Arizona State, Oregon, and Oregon State) while USC, who won seven of their conference series got in over them. But, with the fifth best RPI in the Pac-12, the Wildcats were able to get in. Important wins for the Wildcats included pre-season number two ranked Tennessee, a single win over West Virginia (lost the other two games), Grand Canyon on the road (1-1 versus the Antelopes this season), Washington (two out of three), USC (two out of three). Without great pitching depth, the Wildcats will have to out-slug their opponents in this regional. Outfielder Chase Davis (21 home runs and 74 RBIs), outfielder Mac Bingham (10 home runs and 51 RBIs), and first baseman Kiko Romero (19 home runs and 86 RBIs) led the Wildcats in hitting while pitcher Aiden May led them in strikeouts with 70.
(4) Santa Clara Broncos 35-18 (17-10) WCC
The Broncos finished second in the West Coast Conference before claiming the automatic bid for the conference over Portland, who eliminated regular season champion Loyola Marymount the day before. Santa Clara took two out of three from Washington and won at Stanford who is another top eight seed. However, they did lose all three games to West Coast regular season champion Loyola Marymount at the beginning of April. The Broncos’ (35-18) record suggests they will not be the easiest four seed to deal with for the other teams in Fayetteville this weekend. The Broncos hit 72 home runs, .491 slugging percentage, and .403 on base percentage.

June 2
Game 1: 1.Arkansas vs. 4.Santa Clara (2 PM CT, ESPN+)
Ace Hunter Hollan will take the hill for the hogs while it will be Cole Kitchen throwing for Santa Clara. The top of Arkansas’ lineup needs to bounce back from an okay week in Hoover while the Broncos have played great offense over the last month. The hogs’ pitching should help them move onto the 1-0 game.
Game 2: 2.TCU vs. 3.Arizona (8 PM CT, ESPNU)
TCU’s hot-hitting should help them get past Arizona. Arizona also has hot bats but their pitching is inferior to the Horned Frogs.

June 3
Game 3: 1.Arkansas vs. 2.TCU (2 PM CT, TBD)
Arkansas cannot make it to the regional final without their hitting, which should improve from next week and a pitching staff that has not looked as good since the Vanderbilt series to finish the regular season. Hogs move onto the regional final.
Game 4: 3.Arizona vs. 4.Santa Clara (8 PM CT, TBD)
The Broncos upset the Wildcats and eliminate them on their way to another elimination game against TCU.

June 4
Game 5: 2.TCU vs. 4.Santa Clara (2 PM CT, TBD)
TCU will eliminate Santa Clara led by infielder Brayden Taylor and will get one more shot against the Razorbacks.
Game 6: 1.Arkansas vs. 2.TCU (8 PM CT, TBD)
TCU will force a winner take all game against the Razorbacks on Monday.

June 5 (If Necessary)
Game 7: 1.Arkansas vs. 2.TCU (TBD, TBD)
Arkansas should advance out of their own regional for the fourth time in five seasons and head to host the Supers.

Winner: 1.Arkansas in 7

Categories
College Baseball

2023 cbhsports NCAA College Baseball Regionals Predictions

Image Courtesy: Draft Kings

Today, I will predict who I think will make it to the super regional round of the 2023 NCAA College Baseball Tournament.

If you are a little out of line on how the NCAA Baseball Tournament works here it goes:

1.The first round is called regional play. It includes 16 four team regionals (Top seeds are seeded 1-16). The top seed in each regional hosts. The two seed matches up with the three seed and the one seed in each region matches up with the four seed in each regional bracket. The winners of each of those games plays each other in the winners bracket and losers play each other in the losers bracket in a double-elimination style bracket. The winner of the winner’s bracket game moves on to the regional final while the loser plays a win or go home game versus the team that won in the loser’s bracket. Of course, the team that loses in the loser’s bracket goes home. The winner of the game between the winner in the loser’s bracket and the loser in the winner’s bracket determines who will face the team that has not lost in the regional final. The loser’s bracket team has to beat the winner’s bracket team to force a seventh and deciding game in the regional. But if the winner’s bracket team wins the sixth game, then they go to the Super Regionals, the second round of the tournament.

2.In the Supers (Super Regionals) it is much more simple. The higher seeded team hosts the super regional of the two competing. It is a best two out of three series to determine who goes to Omaha for the College World Series, comprised of the eight remaining teams.

3.The College World Series is made up of two four team brackets similar to the way regional play is played. The two winners face each other in the winner’s bracket and the two losers face each other in the loser’s bracket. When a team loses two games, they are out in the double-elimination setting. The two teams that make it through the winner’s bracket face off in the College World Series Finals.

4.The College World Series Finals is a best two out of three event.

Check out info for all of the regionals here including match-ups, first pitch times, etc.

Regionals (June 2-5):

Winston-Salem Regional (Winston-Salem, NC)
1.Wake Forest
(4) George Mason
(2) Maryland
(3) Northeastern

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest in 6
The Demon Deacons should win this regional pretty easily but watch out for Maryland, who hosted a season ago as well as a talented three-seed, Northeastern.

Tuscaloosa Regional (Tuscaloosa, AL)
16.Alabama
(4) Nicholls State
(2) Boston College
(3) Troy

Carter’s Pick: 16.Alabama in 7
Since promoting Jason Jackson to interim head coach, Alabama has been fantastic. Underseeded at 16, the Tide will have to deal with Boston College, a team that should have hosted. A good pitching weekend will get the Crimson Tide through the Supers.

Stanford Regional (Stanford, CA)
8.Stanford
(4) San José State
(2) Texas A&M
(3) Cal State Fullerton

Carter’s Pick: Texas A&M in 7
Stanford may have been underseeded at 8 as the only west coast host this season. Texas A&M is hot now, having made it to the SEC Tournament Final. It should be a battle between the Cardinal and the Aggies for the regional.

Coral Gables Regional (Coral Gables, FL)
9.Miami
(4) Maine
(2) Texas
(3) Louisiana

Carter’s Pick: Louisiana in 7
Miami has played great at home this season but normally a three seed or two advance out and make the Supers. Texas is also a quality team so this will be a great regional.

Clemson Regional (Clemson, SC)
4.Clemson
(4) Lipscomb
(2) Tennessee
(3) Charlotte

Carter’s Pick: 4.Clemson in 7
Tennessee is the toughest two seed red hot Clemson probably could have seen in their regional. Clemson has been the best team in college baseball during the second half the season. Their quality play should get them to the Supers.

Auburn Regional (Auburn, AL)
13.Auburn
(4) Penn
(2) Southern Miss
(3) Samford

Carter’s Pick: Southern Miss in 7
Southern Miss fans everywhere believe they should have hosted. But Auburn AD John Cohen, the head of the Selection Committee, pegged his team as the number thirteen seed. The Eagles will get through this regional.

Baton Rouge Regional (Baton Rouge, LA)
5.LSU
(4) Tulane
(2) Oregon State
(3) Sam Houston State

Carter’s Pick: 5.LSU in 7
LSU’s terrific lineup and ace Paul Skenes will be challenged this weekend by tournament mainstay Oregon State, Sam Houston State, and (19-40) Tulane. If LSU pitches well, they will win this regional.

Lexington Regional (Lexington, KY)
12.Kentucky
(4) Ball State
(2) West Virginia
(3) Indiana

Carter’s Pick: West Virginia in 6
West Virginia will upset Kentucky in the regional final and make the Super Regionals relatively easily.

Nashville Regional (Nashville, TN)
6.Vanderbilt
(4) Eastern Illinois
(2) Oregon
(3) Xavier

Carter’s Pick: 6.Vanderbilt in 6
The Commodores, the SEC Tournament champs, have gotten hot at the right time. They should be fine as they deal with Oregon, Xavier, and Eastern Illinois.

Stillwater Regional (Stillwater, OK)
11.Oklahoma State
(4) Oral Roberts
(2) Dallas Baptist
(3) Washington

Carter’s Pick: 11.Oklahoma State in 6
After how fun the Stillwater Regional was a year ago (even though the Cowboys lost to Arkansas), Oklahoma State should handle this regional a bit easier even with a tough two seed Dallas Baptist and three seed Washington.

Fayetteville Regional (Fayetteville, AR)
3.Arkansas
(4) Santa Clara
(2) TCU
(3) Arizona

Carter’s Pick: 3.Arkansas in 7
Arkansas has been strong this season despite many injuries. They will have to get through Big 12 tournament champ TCU, Arizona, and impressive four seed Arizona, and I think they will.

Terra Haute Regional (Terre Haute, IN)
14.Indiana State
(4) Wright State
(2) Iowa
(3) North Carolina

Carter’s Pick: Iowa in 7
Iowa’s pitching will help them beat host Indiana State and advance. North Carolina will be hampered by the injury to star outfielder Vance Honeycutt.

Charlottesville Regional (Charlottesville, VA)
7.Virginia
(4) Army
(2) East Carolina
(3) Oklahoma

Carter’s Pick: East Carolina in 7
East Carolina’s depth on their pitching staff will upset Virginia in a relatively easy regional compared to others. Army is a tough out as the four seed with five consecutive tournament appearances but Oklahoma, as the last at-large team in the field, is the opposite.

Conway Regional (Conway, SC)
10.Coastal Carolina
(4) Rider
(2) Duke
(3) UNC-Wilmington

Carter’s Pick: 10.Coastal Carolina in 7
Duke has had a good season and could upset the Chanticleers but I believe they will push through their regional in seven games.

Gainesville Regional (Gainesville, FL)
2.Florida
(4) Florida A&M
(2) Connecticut
(3) Texas Tech

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida in 7
Florida, maybe the most balanced team in the country, has a chore with Connecticut as their two seed and with three seed Texas Tech, who is seemingly always in the tournament. But, the Gators should get through here.

Columbia Regional (Columbia, SC)
15.South Carolina
(4) Central Connecticut State
(2) Campbell
(3) NC State

Carter’s Pick: Campbell in 7
Campbell should have hosted. Their RPI of 15 was overlooked. It will not be easy with South Carolina and North Carolina State’s SEC and ACC arms but the Camels will advance to the Supers.