Everything You Need To Know About The NCAA Super Regionals That Begin Today
The NCAA Super Regionals start on Friday at Noon EST. This shapes up to be an incredible weekend of college baseball as #6 seed TCU was the only top 8 national seed eliminated in Regionals. All of these series are best 2 out of 3 games with the 8 winners moving onto the College World Series in Omaha that starts next Saturday. Let’s take a look at all the matchups with odds from the Barstool Sportsbook.
#13 East Carolina (+335) at #4 Vanderbilt (-500) Fri Noon EST
The betting public is not giving East Carolina much of a shot in this series. The AAC Champions went 3-0 in a weaker Regional (Charlotte, Maryland, Norfolk St.) last weekend in Greenville to advance. They have a stud pitcher in Gavin Williams (10-0 1.82 ERA 117 Ks) and two incredible hitters in 2B Connor Norby (.418!!! 15 HR 51 RBI 18 SB) and 1B Thomas Francisco (.361 13 HR 48 RBI). Cliff Godwin is also a really good coach but they are outmanned on the road in Nashville.
Vandy is led by the dynamic 1-2 punch of Kumar Rocker (12-3 2.65 ERA 144 Ks) and Jack Leiter (9-3 2.46 ERA 146 Ks) who are projected to go top 2 in the MLB Draft in July. These guys are a matchup nightmare in a 2 of 3 series. The Dores also have a terrific leadoff hitter in freshman CF Enrique Bradfield (.359 nation leading 46 SBs). RF Isaiah Thomas (.339 13 HR) and 1B Dominic Keegan (.374 14 HR) can mash too. I like Vandy to move on as they try to defend their 2019 National Title in Omaha but have no interest in laying -500.
The Pick: PASS
#9 Stanford (+110) at #8 Texas Tech (-141) Fri 3PM EST
Stanford defeated UC-Irvine 11-7 Monday night in Regional Championship game in Palo Alto to advance. The Cardinal finished 2nd in the PAC 12 and have a pretty deep lineup devoid of superstars. Their pitching is led by Ace Brendan Beck (8-1 3.00 ERA 115 Ks) and closer Zach Grech (3.17 ERA 13 SV). Vegas is giving them a real good shot in this series as I thought Texas Tech would be a heavier favorite with their homefield advantage in the West Texas heat. The Cardinal must win Game 1 with their Ace Beck pitching to have a chance in this series.
Texas Tech is led by the dynamic midfield combo of 2B Jace Jung (.343 21 HR 67 RBI) and SS Cal Conley (.330 15 HR 55 RBI). Texas Tech has 3 solid but unspectacular starting pitchers in Micah Dallas (4-3 3.32 ERA), Patrick Monteverde (7-3 3.59 ERA) and Mason Montgomery (5-3 3.82 ERA). These guys do a solid job as they usually play higher scoring games ESP at home. The Red Raiders have had a ton of success in recent years with 3 Big 12 Titles and 4 Omaha trips under Tim Tadlock who signed a lifetime contract a couple of weeks ago. They are tough as nails to beat in Lubbock in their crackerjack home ballpark. I predict the Northern California boys struggle in the mid afternoon West Texas heat and the Red Raiders roll back to Omaha yet again under Tadlock.
The Pick Texas Tech -141
NC State (+500) at #1 Arkansas (-910) Fri 6PM EST
The Wolfpack are smokin’ hot and playing with nothing to lose. They started ACC play a wretched 1-8 and ended up finishing 2nd in both the regular season and ACC Tournament. NC State then rolled through the Ruston Regional hammering Alabama and beating the top seed Louisiana Tech by a combined 22-10 score in their 2 games. They are led by LF Jonny Butler (.389 12 HR) and CF Tyler McDounough (.351 15 HR). You never know what can happen in baseball when a team has confidence and momentum….. these guys have both and at +500 is a heckuva tempting price no matter how strong the Razorbacks are.
Arkansas was pushed to the brink by Big 10 Champion Nebraska and fought back from a 2-0 deficit to win the Regional Championship game 6-2. The crowd at Baum Stadium was unbelievable Monday night and will be super rowdy all weekend in the Hog Pen. Closer Kevin Kopps pitched the final 7 innings on Monday night to shut down the Huskers. Kopps (12-0 0.68 ERA 11 SV 120Ks) is having one of the greatest closer seasons in the history of college baseball. He comes in the 6th or 7th usually and the games are over. His slider is filthy and no one can solve it. The Razorbacks also have a solid ace in lefty Patrick Wicklander (6-1 2.17 ERA). If there is a weakness on this team it is the starting pitching depth behind Wicklander. The Hogs consistently fight back in the mid to late innings from early deficits. On offense they have 6 hitters who have double digit home runs. CF Christian Franklin is a 5 tool athlete (.281 13 HRs 10 SB) who has incredible range and a cannon arm. 2B Robert Moore (.282 14 HRs) hit the game tying home run Monday night and is consistently a clutch performer. I believe the Razorbacks do advance to Omaha but NC State will put up a fight. There’s no chance in hell I am laying -910 here.
The Pick: PASS
#12 Ole Miss (+105) at #5 Arizona (-134) Fri 9PM EST
Ole Miss survived a tough regional in Oxford to advance to Super Regional with a 12-9 win over Southern Miss Monday. The Rebels are led by ace Lefty Doug Nikhazy (11-2 2.39 ERA 132 Ks) who will pitch in Game 2 on Saturday. The offense is deep with 5 starters hitting over .300. Freshman SS Jacob Gonzalez (.351 10 HR 51 RBI) and LF Kevin Graham (.344 14 HR 55 RBI) are studs but the big story is DH Tim Elko (.329 16 HR 54 RBI) who hit 3 HRs including 2 grand slams with a torn ACL in the Regional last weekend to win MVP. Closer Taylor Broadway (4-2 2.51 ERA 16 SV) is also rock solid. The problem for Ole Miss is the lack of pitching depth behind those top guys. They will be counting on SP Derek Diamond and freshman Jack Dougherty and Brandon Johnson heavily in Tuscon to step up.
The Pac 12 Champion Wildcats can absolutely mash the baseball. Led by star Freshman DH Jacob Berry (.357 15 HR 64 RBI) Arizona has a WHOPPING 7 starters hitting over .330. C Daniel Susak is also a stud hitting .338 with 12 HRs and 61 RBI. They have a cavernous ballpark in the desert air which gives them a strong homefield advantage. Their pitching is led by closer Vince Vanelle (2.73 ERA 8 SV) but their starting pitching is nothing too special. They are known for outscoring teams and I expect this super regional to get freaking wild late night out West.
The Rebels path to winning this Super is clear. Win on Saturday behind Doug Nikhazy and outslug the Wildcats in one of the other games 15-12. It is tough ask but stranger things have happened. I want this Ole Miss trip to Omaha so bad with me covering it for Barstool Sports that I am not able to think rationally.
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The Pick: PASS
Dallas Baptist (-113) at Virginia (-113) Sat Noon EST
Both of these teams won regionals last week as #3 seeds in dramatic fashion. Dallas Baptist was trailing 5-2 in the 7th inning of championship game vs. Oregon State and hit a dramatic grand slam. Virginia hit a walk off home run in the bottom of the 10th to beat #11 seed Old Dominion.
Dallas Baptist has a heckuva consistent baseball program as they have advanced to 7 straight Regional Finals. I gave them out at +15000 to win the CWS before the tourney as my long shot. DBU has studs in 2B Jackson Glenn (.351 19 HR) CF Jace Grady (.343 15 SB) and RF River Town (.329 10 HR 20 SB and great name!). Their pitching staff is led by SP Rhett Kouba (6-1 2.81 ERA) and SP Dominic Hanel (13 Wins).
Virginia got hot down the stretch in the regular season and snuck into the NCAA Tourney as a 3 seed. The Cavs are not the strongest hitting team with only 2 starters hitting .300 or better. DH Kyle Teel is their best hitter. What they do have is a couple of strong pitchers. Ace Andrew Abbot (8-6 2.82 ERA 144 Ks) can deal and Closer Stephen Schoch (2.52 ERA 8 Saves) has become a folk hero with his antics. Schoch pitched over 3 innings in the regional final against ODU and was a hero. Virginia won the national title in 2014.
This series is being played in Columbia, South Carolina and flip a coin to pick who wins.
The Pick: PASS
#10 Notre Dame (+130) at #7 Mississippi State (-175) Sat 2PM EST
This is one of the most exciting matchups of the weekend and damn near has it all. Notre Dame went 22-8 and dominated a strong ACC. The Fightin’ Irish are led by slugging Greek 1B Niko Kavadas (.309 21 HRs 62 RBI) and have a deep lineup outscoring their 3 opponents in South Bend Regional by a whopping 50-5! Notre Dame has two strong starters in John Michael Bertrand (8-2 2.98 ERA) and Tanner Kohlepp (7-1 2.83 ERA). I honestly feel like the Irish should have been a top 8 national seed and are underrated. People are not taking them seriously enough because they are from the North. This team is on a mission and I added them at +1800 to win the CWS this week. Head Coach Link Jarrett is a top candidate for national Coach of the Year.
Mississippi State will have a phenomenal homefield advantage at the Dude this weekend. The cowbells will be clanging and the place will be rowdy as hell. The Bulldogs offense is led by RF Tanner Allen (.395 8 HR 58 RBI) and CF Rowdey Jordan (.329 9 HR 40 RBI, great name). Their pitching staff has a tremendous closer in Landon Sims (1.34 ERA 9 SV 78 Ks in 40.1 IP!) and solid starters in lefty Christian MacLeod (6-4 3.81 ERA) and Will Bednar (7-1 3.17 ERA 109 Ks). State won 20 SEC games this year too. My concern with the Bulldogs is that they beat up on weaker teams and struggled with top competition this year.
Everyone is going to say I am picking against State because I can’t stand them but I honestly respect the heck out of their baseball program. Notre Dame is just the better team and on a mission. The Irish prove why they are being criminally underrated and move on to Omaha despite being on the road.
The Pick: Notre Dame +130
We also are offering a Bayou Ben special parlay in the Barstool Sportsbook with Notre Dame and Arkansas at +185.
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LSU (+285) at #3 Tennessee (-400) Sat 6PM EST
There are so many storylines in this series I do not even know where to begin. Let’s start with LSU Head Coach Paul Mainieri who announced his retirement after 39 seasons of coaching. After leading LSU to 2009 National Title and 2017 Runner up (5 CWS trips), this is his last dance. LSU fought out of the Losers Bracket in Eugene winning 4 games in a row including a 9-8 thriller late Monday night over Oregon in the Regional Final. These two teams played a heated SEC series in Knoxville the 2nd week of conference play that the Vols swept winning 2 games on walk offs. Mainieri had harsh words to say about the Vol fans after and this series is going to be bonkers. The Legends of Lindsey Nelson Superfans are feuding with ESPN Baton Rouge radio host and former LSU football starting Center T-Bob Hebert on Twitter. Both fan bases are insanely passionate and I cannot wait to watch this Super Regional.
LSU is led by on offense by three beasts in freshman 1B Tre Morgan (.361 40 RBI 15 SBs) Superstar Frosh RF Dylan Crews (.361 16 HR 40 RBI 15 SB) and 3B Gavin Dugas (.302 19 HR 66 RBI). Dugas went bananas in Eugene and hit 2 homers in the Regional Final win. The Tigers do lack depth at the bottom of the order behind these guys. Ace Landon Marceaux (7-6 2.44 ERA 112 Ks) had a really strong sophomore season and possesses a great curveball. He even closed out Oregon Monday night out of the bullpen. AJ Labas and MaKhail Hilliard provide rotation depth and won big games last weekend. Closer Devin Fontenot (4-2 2.94 ERA 5 SV) has a lot of experience. This team is trying to pull what Florida State did in 2019 by sneaking into NCAA Tourney with retiring coach and make one lost Omaha run.
Tennessee is led by national Coach of the Year candidate Tony Vitello. The Vols have a deep lineup led by 3B Jake Rucker. Their best starting pitcher is Blade Tidwell (9-3 3.25 ERA). Chad Dallas (10-1 4.27 ERA) and Will Heflin (3-3 4.07 ERA) are both solid too. Closer Sean Hunley (7-4 3.04 ERA 8 SV) also does a good job. Lindsey Nelson is going to be absolutely rocking all weekend. Either one of these teams will bring a ton of fans and energy to Omaha next week.
I definitely am guilty of being a dreamer and get caught up in the story. I have seen LSU teams pull off close thrillers my entire life and I believe the Tigers are going to pull some Bayou Magic yet again here. Mainieiri teams are known for peaking in postseason and there’s something about LSU players & fans always believing they will find a way in their culture I am taking the Tigers as +285 underdog to get Paul Mainieri back to Omaha one last time. They pull off the upset in a high energy 3 game thrilling series.
THE PICK: LSU +285 Sat 9PM EST
South Florida (+800) at #2 Texas (-2000)
The South Florida Bulls are the cinderella story of the tournament. They went on a shocking run to win the AAC Tournament. The Bulls then doubled down on that by winning the Gainesville Region as a +1500 underdog defeating #3 seed South Alabama in the title game. No one saw the meltdowns by Florida and Miami coming. South Florida is a MASSIVE underdog here at +800 but they do have momentum and nothing to lose. Their best hitter is 3B Carmine Lane (.315 11 HR) and ace pitcher Jack Jasiak (6-7 2.89 ERA) is solid. They also have 2 other decent starters Collin Sullivan (3-3 3.69 ERA) and Dylan Burns (5-5 4.08 ERA).
Texas won the Big 12 Title and former Tulane Coach David Pierce has done a fantastic job restoring the Longhorns to previous glory this season. Texas has 3 great starting pitchers in Ty Madden (7-4 2.59 ERA 110 Ks projected top 10 MLB pick), Pete Hansen (9-1 1.84 ERA) and Tristan Stevens (10-3 2.77 ERA). It is going to be tough to beat these guys in a 2 of 3 format. Big DH Ivan Melendez (.330 12 HRs) leads a solid offense. 3B Cam Williams and 1B Zach Zunbia both can hit too.
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There’s no chance in hell I would ever lay -2000 in a 2 of 3 baseball series but I predict the Longhorns roll to Omaha. They are superior in every way plus have a big homefeild advantage at the Disch.
The Pick: PASS
You can buy a Barstool in Omaha shirt here as we are only one week away!
Time to sit back and enjoy a spectacular weekend of betting NCAA Regionals with the Barstool Sportsbook. All PENN Sportsbooks (including you Mississippi) have these lines and odds available too. I cannot wait to see which 8 teams I will be seeing in Omaha next weekend for the College World Series.