The setup
Kansas is hosting an NCAA Tournament regional for the first time in program history. The Jayhawks finished 42-16 with the Big 12 regular season title and a tournament run that gave them the No. 15 overall seed. Dan Fitzgerald's program has had a remarkable rise from cellar dweller to host site in just a few years. Lawrence baseball is having a moment.
Hoglund Ballpark is not Williams Stadium, but it doesn't need to be. The home crowd is going to be excited about hosting baseball in Lawrence for the first time ever, and the small-capacity venue will be intimate and loud. Kansas survived the Big 12 to get here, and the regional weekend is going to feel like a celebration even before first pitch.
Arkansas at 39-20 is the most credentialed two seed in the field outside Lincoln. Dave Van Horn's program is in its ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks have national championship aspirations any year they're in the field and a two seed slot here looks like a bracket mistake. Missouri State at 34-19 brings Conference USA experience. Northeastern at 38-20 claims the Coastal Athletic Association auto bid.
The teams
Kansas
First-ever NCAA Tournament regional host in program history. Big 12 regular season champions at 42-16. Dan Fitzgerald has rebuilt Kansas baseball from a Big 12 cellar to a hosting program in just a few years. The story of the weekend in college baseball.
Arkansas
9th consecutive NCAA Tournament for Dave Van Horn's program. Arkansas has been one of the most consistent national contenders in the sport for the last decade. A two seed slot at Kansas looks like the kind of seeding that benefits the host site more than the Razorbacks.
Missouri State
Conference USA representative. The Bears finished 34-19 and earned the at-large bid from a deep C-USA. Short travel to Lawrence keeps them fresh. A pitching staff that has handled C-USA opposition all year now tests itself against Arkansas in their opener.
Northeastern
Coastal Athletic Association champions. The Huskies won their conference tournament with the kind of pitching that has carried CAA teams further than expected. Cross-country travel to Lawrence is significant but the program has been in similar spots before.
What's at stake
Arkansas is the team to beat in this regional and they're not the host. The Razorbacks have the kind of pitching depth and roster experience that should make them the favorite to come out of Lawrence and head to a super regional. Their Friday game against Missouri State is the most-watched 2-vs-3 of the day.
Kansas has the home crowd advantage and the story of the weekend, but their pitching depth is what will be tested most. The Jayhawks need to win their Friday opener against Northeastern cleanly and then beat one of Arkansas or Missouri State on Saturday to set up a championship Sunday or Monday.
The super regional pairing with the Atlanta winner adds another layer. Georgia Tech is heavily favored to come out of Atlanta as the No. 2 overall seed, which means whoever wins this regional likely heads to Atlanta to play the Yellow Jackets on their home field. A road super regional in Atlanta is one of the tougher draws in next weekend's bracket.