If the Black College World Series selections were held today these are the projected field of eight teams we feel will make the Road to Montgomery. This is based on how we perceive teams based on the small school Top 10 HBCU poll and where they might stand on selection day April 27.
What this does is it gives the idea that the field of eight will have projected, surprises, and a bubble burst team that has the potential to emerge and come out of nowhere to make the field.
One thing is for sure is that the field will look vastly different than the projected come next week’s selections. But for now, this is how we see it.
Let’s set the record straight. This is basically how we perceive the projected teams from a ranking standpoint based on our guestimate how the teams will finish the season and where they are in the top 10 right now.
Jerell Calhoun, who chairs the selection committee for Black College Championships, whom has the daunting task of leading his five-man crew to select the best field of eight on April 27. Their selection of four from the DII side of the bracket and four from the adjacent NAIA side in this mock selection dry run in our inaugural projections.
The NCAA Division II projected mock bracket. Albany State and Savannah State right out of the bat are currently one and two in the top 10 and have a solid resume. They could be conceived as safe bets to make the field. Miles and West Virginia State are in the discussion as the final two teams so one might think. Several bubble busters are waiting in the wings.
Several teams with outside chances. Bluefield State, Kentucky State, and Tuskegee can finish strong to end their season before the selection. Both have seen their winning fortunes dramatically decrease over the past couple of weeks.
What’s that means is this. If Bluefield State wants to defend it’s Black College national title, Kentucky State and West Virginia State wants to enter the fray. It is simple formula. Win and you’re in.
Kentucky State and Miles are scheduled to play each other in a three-game tilt April 24-25 in a critical matchup with national implications. For now, it looks okay for one of the above teams, but it also gives you an idea of how quick things can change in the other direction as well.
When Black College Championships was mapping the selection process this past August. The goal was to have two teams from the SIAC and two from the DII Independent side. The independents all have losing records and are not ranked in the current HBCU small school poll forcing the BCC to draft and alternate selection criteria.
Bluefield State might not be ranked right now, but we’re projecting Big Blues to finish the season strong and get into that bubble spot.
The Projected NCAA DII Bracket at-large invite:
- Albany State
- Savannah State
- Miles
- Kentucky State
Looming with an outside chance, Bluefield State makes this an ultra-intriguing DII projection. West Virginia State has indicated they may opt-out of the Black College World Series and compete for a Mountain East Conference (MEC) title and NCAA Regional berth. The Yellow Jackets still have remaining games during the tournament which is crucial for them making their conference tournament.
While the NAIA is next in line in the field, the NAIA has three projected representatives, as the field first three. Florida Memorial, Paine, and Rust are projected shoo ins and several major bubble teams are in the mix.
Florida Memorial, Paine, and Rust have built a solid resume throughout the 2022 season winning ball games in the position to get ranked in the BCN Top 10. They could be conceived as NAIA bracket safe bets to make the field. Now we need to turn our attention on the remaining teams or bubble teams that could gain an entry depending on how the season plays out.
The Projected NAIA Bracket at-large invite:
- Florida Memorial
- Paine
- Rust
- Talladega
The postseason bubble is teams looking for a tournament berth. It is a race between teams trending up at the right time, like Edward Waters getting hot and scuffling to finish on the winning side as the season ends. The Tigers currently ranked No. 8 in the latest BCN Top 10, upset wins over both Miles and Savannah State has EWU playing competitive baseball.
For every team that manages to squeak into the tournament, however, there is always a little bit of luck involved. Squads don’t just need to focus on their games; they also hope that the other teams on the bubble trip and stumble enough to let other teams pass them by.
Several bubble teams are knocking on Riverwalk Stadium main entrance. They have a strong outside chance to make the field of eight according to BCSN computer ranking.
Harris-Stowe State could not be more squarely falling off the bubble. The Hornets two weeks ago were 14-11 and rank in BCN Top 10. Nines losses later, they are sitting at 14-20, loser of nine straight games, postseason resume by no means a lock for the tournament.
Xavier University of Louisiana entire team the injury bug has devastated the play on the field this season. Starters are down and the new kids that filled in are learning the collegiate game. While a series win this weekend would almost definitely elevate their bubble status, other bubble teams would also have to lose this weekend for an outside shot.
No teams where on the bubble list at the start of the season. I’ve said it many times. Win and your in.