The landscape of NCAA Tournament regional projections has shifted dramatically, with Mississippi State no longer expected to host a regional in the latest forecasts.
Projected Regional Landscape
Both D1Baseball and Baseball America now list the Bulldogs as a No. 2 seed, but they have been displaced by Oregon and Arkansas, who have taken the host spots in the respective brackets.
The 16 regional hosts will be announced on May 24 at approximately 7:30 p.m., and the full bracket will be unveiled during the ESPN2 selection show on May 25 at 11 a.m.
Coach O'Connor's Outlook
Coach Brian O'Connor had anticipated a home regional for Mississippi State, but recent performance metrics have altered that expectation.
D1Baseball points to Oregon's 12‑9 record in Quad 1 games and a 17‑10 combined mark in Quads 1 and 2 as justification for its projection, while Baseball America highlights Arkansas's stronger SEC record, including a 20‑13 aggregate and two victories over Mississippi State in March.
Mississippi State's own record stands at 9‑14 in Quad 1 and 13‑17 in Quads 1 and 2, factors that the outlets say contributed to the drop despite a higher RPI than the Ducks.
The Ducks sit at No. 15 in the RPI, three spots behind the Bulldogs, and are slated to play in the Big Ten Tournament championship against UCLA on May 24.
Historical Context
The Bulldogs have not hosted a regional at Dudy Noble Field since 2021, the year they captured their only national championship, adding a historical footnote to the current projection.
The upcoming announcements will determine whether the team can restore its regional‑hosting tradition.