No. 1 North Carolina (38-18)
No. 2 Purdue (37-19)
No. 3 Houston (36-23)
No. 4 North Carolina A&T (32-23)
North Carolina
The Tar Heels again are a national seed and looking to avoid an upset for the second straight year. UNC is a balanced club, led by the bats of Kyle Datres (.339/5/30) and Michael Busch (.313/11/52) – Busch (47) and Brandon Riley (43) have combined for 90 walks. The Tar Heels don’t have a pitcher who has thrown more than 70 innings, but turn to a stable of arms that often bend but don’t break. Brett Daniels (6-0, 2.35, 67 K in 57.1 IP) has been brilliant out of the bullpen, and the rotation will get a boost from the recent return of Luca Dalatri.
Purdue
The Boilermakers are one of the biggest surprises in the country, picking up 22 wins away from home and landing in the tourney for the first time since 2012. Like Carolina, Purdue is a steady and complete team with balance in the lineup and depth on the mound. Jacson McGowan (.302/12/56) has nearly half of the team’s 25 homers; the rest of the lineup does a good job of putting the ball in play and running (90-130 SB). Tanner Andrews (7-5, 2.71) logged 93 innings, nearly 30 more than the next Boiler. Keep an eye on Trent Johnson (2-1, 1.80, 37 K, 40 IP, .159 BAA) and Ross Learnhard (2-1, 15 SV, 32 K, 7 BB in 33 IP).
Houston
The Cougars are back in the field for the fourth time in five years and have done it largely with pitching. Trey Cumbie (7-3, 3.44, 101 K, 24 BB in 96.2 IP) can humble any team in the country, and Aaron Fletcher (6-3, 2.43) has been a solid complement. Carter Henry (5-1, 2.17, 6 SV) and Joey Pulido (5-2, 2.89, 6 SV) have combined for 102 Ks in 92.1 innings. The Cougars hit .259 as a team and average 5 runs a game. Jared Troilo (.343/4/26/17 SB) gets things going, and Joe Davis (.308/10/52) has the pop.
North Carolina A&T
The Aggies, who dropped a 1-0 decision to UNC earlier in the year, last appeared in the tourney 13 years ago. Winner of the MEAC, NC A&T went 27-13 over their final 40 games and will be looking for its first NCAA tourney win. Dawnoven Smith (.335/8/44) slugs .601, and AJ Hunt (.323) and Zach McLean (.301) each add pop with six homers apiece. For the most part, the Aggies pitch to contact, with aces Tim Johnson (7-1, 3.27) and Tim Luth (6-2, 3.55) steady starters. Marcello Betances has 60 Ks in 67.2 IP.