Baseball is often celebrated for its unpredictable nature, particularly in the NCAA Tournament where underdog teams frequently create memorable “Cinderella” stories. This dynamic was showcased last season when Tennessee, the No. 1 overall seed, ultimately claimed the College World Series title, marking a rare success for a highly favored team.
Unexpected breakthroughs are a hallmark of NCAA baseball. Last season alone, Evansville made history by entering the super regionals for the first time, even managing to secure a victory against the national champions from Tennessee. Similarly, Ole Miss transformed from the last entry in the field to securing a national title in 2022, while Coastal Carolina pulled off a stunning triumph against Arizona in the College World Series finals nine years ago.
As the tournament approaches, the spotlight is set on potential “Cinderella” teams—those not hosting and with national title odds worse than +3500. Below are highlighted teams to watch from various regionals:
In the Nashville Regional, Louisville (odds +10000) boasts a strong batting lineup with standout players but struggles in pitching, placing them as a potential dark horse.
The Austin Regional presents UTSA (odds +20000), who achieved a school-record 44 wins and boasts a robust offense, making their NCAA Tournament debut as an at-large team.
Kansas, with odds at +20000 in the Fayetteville Regional, is riding high from a season of exceeding expectations, showcasing excellent power-hitting capabilities with 100 home runs.
NC State (odds +7500) in the Auburn Regional is a team that has had previous success, and despite a rocky finish to the season, they remain a formidable competitor.
Oklahoma (odds +9500) in the Chapel Hill Regional is still a potent team despite past struggles, with strong pitching that could lead to surprising outcomes.
Dallas Baptist (odds +4000) from the Baton Rouge Regional historically makes tournament appearances, though they’ve yet to reach the College World Series, and could seize their chance this year.
Oklahoma State, an unexpected entry with odds at +16000 in the Athens Regional, turned their season around at the right moment, possessing a reliable pitching staff.
In the Corvallis Regional, TCU (odds +3900) could easily be overlooked despite their strong batting and pitching metrics, making them a dangerous opponent.
Northeastern is producing significant buzz at +5000 in the Tallahassee Regional, especially with their remarkable pitching staff that leads the nation in ERA.
Western Kentucky (odds +20000) arrives with a potent offense in the Oxford Regional, suggesting they could be exciting to watch with their impressive batting averages.
West Virginia, the Big 12 champions, have notable prospects in the Clemson Regional and could capitalize on their season’s momentum with odds at +10000.
Arizona (odds +6500) has shown great form leading up to the tournament, making them one to watch closely as their momentum builds.
East Carolina at +16000 enters the Conway Regional after success in the AAC Tournament, highlighting their potential against regional competitors.
Cincinnati (odds +20000), loaded with speed and lethal offensive threats, could pose a challenge for host Tennessee in the Knoxville Regional.
Lastly, UC Irvine (odds +10000) in the Los Angeles Regional has proven itself capable against strong opponents, making them a wildcard contender.
Alabama, with formidable odds of +7500, rounds out the Hattiesburg Regional, boasting a series of wins against quality competition and a solid roster that could pull off upsets.
These teams embody the unpredictability of college baseball, and as they embark on their journey in the tournament, fans can look forward to potential upsets and the excitement of underdog stories unfolding.