Resume Rundown: Kentucky is safe bet to host regional

Kentucky was a one-and-done participant at the 2023 SEC Tournament in Hoover. Despite the early exit, the NCAA Tournament situation remains in good shape.

After two nights of postseason play, we have some new Field of 64 projections out. Nick Mingione’s ballclub is in a good spot as the Bat Cats play the waiting game until Selection Monday arrives.

Kentucky is still in hosting range

D1 Baseball and Baseball America have released Field of 64 projections since Wednesday’s conference tournament results. Kentucky finds itself in a good spot.

Baseball America’s Projected Hosts

1. Wake Forest
2. Florida
3. Arkansas
4. LSU
5. Stanford
6. Clemson
7. Vanderbilt
8. Virginia
9. Coastal Carolina
10. Kentucky
11. Miami
12. Auburn
13. South Carolina
14. Alabama
15. Boston College
16. Indiana State

D1 Baseball’s Projected Hosts

1. Wake Forest
2. Florida
3. Arkansas
4. LSU
5. Clemson
6. Stanford
7. Vanderbilt
8. Virginia
9. Coastal Carolina
10. Auburn
11. Alabama
12. Kentucky
13. Miami
14. Boston College
15. South Carolina
16. Indiana State

Earning a national top-eight seed is officially off the table after Tuesday night’s loss to Alabama, but Kentucky is in a good spot to host a regional. Baseball America has UK in a pod with Indiana, Kent State, and Morehead State with a potential super regional matchup against Vanderbilt. The Bat Cats run-ruled No. 2 seed Indiana in a regular-season matchup. D1 Baseball has UK in a pod with Oregon State, Notre Dame, and Morehead State with a potential super regional matchup with Clemson. This would be a much tougher draw.

Regardless, Kentucky Proud Park will likely be hosting a regional next weekend, and Kentucky probably draws Morehead State to open postseason play.

Kentucky still sits at No. 2 in RPI

At 36-18, Kentucky still has a great resume. The Bat Cats are still No. 2 in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). This is helping carry Nick Mingione’s team despite a 5-5 record in their last 10 games.

UK has 20 Quadrant 1 wins, the No. 1 non-conference RPI, the No. 1 strength of schedule, and zero RPI Quadrant 3 or 4 losses. In many ways, this is a flawless resume without any bad marks. That is going to pay off on Selection Monday.

Get ready to buy your tickets to see UK at Kentucky Proud Park in postseason action next weekend.