For the first time, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) will stage a 16-team single-elimination tournament when play begins Tuesday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Most project the league to send at least 13 teams to the 64-team NCAA Tournament, with many programs seeing this as a final chance to solidify hosting bids or top-eight national seeds.
Texas enters at 22-8 in conference play and 45-12 overall after winning its first outright SEC regular-season title. With a double bye, the Longhorns can set their rotation like a regular weekend series. Though Friday starter Ruger Riojas is sidelined, the bullpen has been dominant. Dylan Volantis, Max Grubbs and Thomas Burns have combined for 200 strikeouts and posted a sub-3.00 ERA throughout SEC play. Texas will open the quarterfinals at 4 p.m. ET Thursday against the winner of Game 5.
Arkansas went 20-10 in the conference and 41-21 overall to earn the No. 2 seed. The Razorbacks boast a strong pitching staff led by right-hander Zach Root, whose 102 strikeouts rank sixth nationally. Offensively, Arkansas features Hawaiian brothers Wehiwa and Kuhio Aloy. Wehiwa led the league in runs (68) and hits (78) while tying for third in homers (17).
“I think this is a place for him to kind of show the world who he is,” SEC Network analyst Jared Mitchell said. “He’s hada great year. He’s one of those guys that’s going to probably be a Golden Spikes finalist (to be named the nation’s top player), I would imagine. And it’s like the grand stage once again in front of all those (MLB) scouts. Does he show up there and make a statement? I want see a guy like him and see how he responds.”
LSU finished 19-11 in SEC play and 39-22 overall. The Tigers will lean on a rotation led by Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, who rank second and third in league strikeouts. Slated one-two in the weekend format, those arms could carry LSU deep. On offense, the Tigers’ Ethan Frey has heated up, batting .359 entering the final weekend.
Among the middle seeds, Georgia (No. 5) and Auburn (No. 6) should not be overlooked. The Bulldogs have hit a nation-best 132 home runs this year but will test their mettle on the road. Head coach Wes Johnson knows the importance of every matchup.
“We actually voted on it as head coaches,” he said of the switch to a single-elimination format. “But the biggest thing that spoke to the room was, is with 16 teams now, you’re not going to play everybody, so how do you balance out if you miss two teams that maybe aren’t as good. So I think it was wise to go to 16, in my opinion.”
Auburn, projected as a top-eight national seed, begins its bid late Wednesday. Coach Butch Thompson believes his club’s consistency bodes well in a one-and-done setting.
“We wound up winning seven of our 10 SEC series,” Thompson said. “Our two toughest times have been on the road, and we wanted to avoid that today. There were implications where you could be this seed or that seed. I just think it was good for these guys. When they’re pushing hard and rallying hard, I just want to see them have success.”
Teams seeded No. 7 through No. 16 open play Tuesday, with each winner setting up a clash against a rested top-eight seed on Wednesday.
Florida (No. 10) could be the most compelling story of the first two days. After a 1-11 conference start, the Gators rallied to finish 15-15 in SEC play. Kevin O’Sullivan’s club needs just two wins to strengthen its case for hosting an NCAA regional. South Carolina (No. 15), Missouri (No. 16) and Kentucky (No. 13) all arrive knowing their season hinges on Tuesday morning’s opener.
Beyond the on-field intrigue, Hoover likely promises a sellout crowd. The tournament has set attendance records for the last two years, and with every game a knockout, the drama should be off the charts. Sunday’s champion will earn an automatic NCAA berth and, given the talent on display, will likely carry momentum deep into Omaha.
