Here are the top storylines you should know for regionals:
1. The Rhino chases 30-30 club
Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson has been on a historic tear in 2026, winning the SEC triple crown and spearheading the Bulldogs’ high octane lineup in nearly every offensive category.
That says something for a team that leads the SEC in statistics like batting average, home runs, RBIs and more.
But his list of personal achievements might be on the verge of getting longer. The junior became the sixth DI player to hit 25 homers and 25 stolen bases during the regular season, and currently sits at 27-25.
The next milestone? 30-30.
Jackson would become the second player to accomplish the feat, the first since J.D. Drew for Florida State in 1997.
2. UCLA outright No. 1 team
The Bruins etched their name in college baseball history after securing the No. 1 national seed in the NCAA tournament.
They became the first team in the sport’s history to finish a full regular season wire-to-wire as No. 1 in the national rankings across both D1Baseball and Baseball America.
They were named No. 1 in preseason polls after reaching the Men’s College World Series last season and held a 27-game win streak at one point of the season.
3. Dark horses to know
NCAA’s Michella Chester detailed her three dark horses to watch in the NCAA tournament. Between Cincinnati, UC Santa Barbara and Jacksonville State, check out why she thinks the trio can shake the field of 64.
4. In-state rivalries unlocked
Rivalries birth a new set of emotions in sports, but especially college baseball.
You might find a neutral side stadium packed to brim on a random Tuesday in March with fans fueled by anger and bragging rights.
Some fan bases will get to experience this during the NCAA tournament, as numerous teams will travel into familiar enemy territory for their regional. It sets the table for a ground-shaking atmosphere.
Here are the in-state rivalries and opponents that might take place this weekend:
- No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 2 Oregon State
- No. 1 Florida vs. No. 2 Miami (FL)
- No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 3 East Carolina
- No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Texas State
- No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 3 Cal Poly
5. New champion loading…
The NCAA tournament won’t look too much different than in years past, but it will surely feel that way.
Vanderbilt, LSU and Dallas Baptist didn’t make the Field of 64 for the first time in over a decade — the Patriots since 2013, the Tigers since 2011 and for the Commodores, 2005. That’s three of five regional appearances streaks over 10 years long wiped off in the blink of an eye.
LSU has won two of the last three national championships, and are one of three teams from the 2025 MCWS to not make this year’s tournament.
6. Toughest road to MCWS
NCAA’s Michella Chester took another look at the field of 64 and detailed which regional she thinks will have the toughest route to Omaha. She tabbed the Lincoln Regional as the toughest and Chapel Hill as another to keep an eye on. Here’s more on her thoughts.
7. SEC searching for seventh straight title
The SEC has been the top dog in college baseball throughout the last decade. They’ve won the last six MCWS, eight of the last 10, and just one team has hoisted the trophy twice in this span.
The conference sent 12 of its 16 teams, not including previous winners LSU and Vanderbilt, to this year’s tournament with seven claiming national seeds.
With history and momentum in their favor, will they notch their seventh?
8. Elliott Avent’s last ride
NC State longtime coach Elliott Avent announced his retirement after 30 seasons last Thursday, May 21. The winningest coach in Wolfpack history, he currently sits just outside the top 30 in wins by college baseball coaches (1,327).
After making its fourth consecutive NCAA tournament, NC State will travel to Auburn as the No. 3 seed in Avent’s final postseason go-around.
