MISSISSIPPI STATE

Where Mississippi State baseball stands in latest NCAA Tournament field predictions

Stefan Krajisnik
Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Mississippi State baseball was the last team standing in 2021. The Bulldogs piled onto each other as maroon and white confetti fell over the diamond in Omaha, Nebraska − signaling a national championship for MSU against SEC foe Vanderbilt.

Since then, times have been tough for Mississippi State and coach Chris Lemonis. That 2021 title marked the last postseason appearance for MSU. Across the previous two campaigns, Mississippi State (27-14, 10-8 SEC) hasn't even made the conference tournament.

Could that drought end this year? It appears so.

Mississippi State is featured in the latest field of 64 projections by Baseball America and D1Baseball.

MSU is tied with Vanderbilt for fifth in the conference standings with the two programs set to battle in Nashville, Tennessee, this weekend. Here's a look at where the Bulldogs sit in the postseason projections ahead of the 2021 national championship rematch.

Baseball America's projection for Mississippi State

Baseball America projects Mississippi State as a No. 2 seed. MSU would be part of the Chapel Hill Regional where North Carolina would be the host school.

Other schools in the regional include No. 3 seed Utah and No. 4 seed Bryant.

D1Baseball's projection for Mississippi State

D1Baseball also has Mississippi State projected as a No. 2 seed. However, the Bulldogs would go to the Clemson Regional. Other teams in the regional include No. 3 seed Utah and No. 4 seed Army.

Prior to Mississippi State's sweep of Auburn, D1Baseball's Mark Etheridge suggested a 9-6 finish in SEC play could put MSU in the hosting conversation. To reach that mark, the Bulldogs would need to finish 6-6 or better against Vanderbilt, Alabama, Arkansas and Missouri.

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Mississippi State baseball 2024 schedule

Remaining opponents for the Bulldogs:

  • April 26-28: at Vanderbilt
  • May 1: Ole Miss (Pearl, Miss.)
  • May 3-5: vs. Alabama
  • May 10-12: at Arkansas
  • May 14: vs. North Alabama
  • May 16-19: vs. Missouri

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.