The warm-ups are finished. Arkansas’ real season is set to begin.
Dave Van Horn’s bunch will host the Fayetteville Regional almost assuredly when the NCAA Tournament field is announced Monday. The only question is what number seed the Diamond Hogs get.
The smart money is that Arkansas is in the top eight. After all, the Razorbacks were a top-10 team practically all season and were in the top five more than half it, including now. Even Saturday’s defeat to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament semifinals won’t knock them from that perch.
A top-eight seed is important because it would mean if Arkansas wins its own regional, it would then host the Super Regionals in the next round, too.
But one thing at a time.
Let’s examine the teams most likely to join the Diamond Hogs in Fayetteville. Keep in mind, this is no guarantee and we are going to look at the best possibilities, not the only possibilities. Conference tournaments don’t end until Sunday, anyway.
Regardless, some familiar faces will be around undoubtedly.
Dallas Baptist
Courtesy Dallas Baptist athletics
Conference: Conference USA
Regular-season finish: 1st
Tournament finish: 1st
Record: 45-13, 21-5
Likely seed: No. 2
Last played in Fayetteville Regional in 2018.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma pitcher Carson Pierce (21) pitches during the Bedlam baseball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Conference: Big 12
Regular-season finish: 7th
Tournament finish: 1-2
Record: 31-26, 11-13
Likely seed: No. 3
Never played in Fayetteville Regional, but lost to Arkansas in 2009 Norman Regional.
Oral Roberts
Courtesy Oral Roberts athletics
Conference: Summit League
Regular-season finish: 1st
Tournament finish: 1st
Record: 46-11, 23-1
Likely seed: No. 4
Last played in Fayetteville Regional in 2018
Texas
Feb 17, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; During the College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Conference: Big 12
Regular-season finish: 1st
Tournament finish: 0-2
Record: 38-20, 15-9
Likely seed: No. 2
Never played in Fayetteville Regional.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s Kyle Robinson (42) pitches against Kansas in game two of their Big 12 baseball series, Friday, May 19, 2023, at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
Conference: Big 12
Regular-season finish: 6th
Tournament finish: 2-2
Record: 39-21, 12-12
Likely seed: No. 3
Sam Houston State
Sammy Bearkat, mascot of Sam Houston State University, dances to live music during A Taste of Texas on the south Capitol of Texas lawn Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. The event showcased 10 restaurants that represent the food of their Texas cities as a celebration following the inauguration of Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
Taste Of Texas Mlc 00259
Conference: Western Athletic
Regular-season finish: 2nd
Tournament finish: 1st
Record: 38-23, 22-8
Likely seed: No. 4
