MONDAY

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES ALMOST SET

Forget about pitching, hitting has highlighted the first seven Super Regionals that wrapped up this weekend. We know the seven teams that have qualified, but we have to wait until tonight to see who wins between Georgia and North Carolina State (ESPN 6pm).

North Carolina swept their series 2-0 over West Virginia by scoring only 10 runs in two games. A five-run average is not bad, but that was by far the best pitched series. Texas A&M scored 25 runs in two games against Oregon to advance. The Aggies now have 133 home runs on the season. Florida State scored 34 runs in their series while Tennessee scored 33. Florida scored 21 runs in two games to edge Clemson and advance to their 9th World Series in the past 14 years.

If Georgia wins tonight, the SEC will have five of the eight World Series participants. With the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, the SEC had the top three teams in the Softball World Series. Track and Field is even more dominant than any sport. Arkansas edged out Florida to win the women’s national championship, while Florida edged out Auburn in the men’s championship.

WOMEN’S STANDINGS: Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Ole Miss (5th), LSU (6th), Alabama (8th), A&M (10th) Georgia (10th). That is 8 of the Top 11 finishers.

MEN’S STANDINGS: Florida, Auburn, Alabama (4th), A&M (5th), Arkansas (7th), and Georgia (9th).

BASKETBALL HYPE

I am sure most readers saw this list, but for those that didn’t, Will Wade has caught the attention of the national media. Will is #24 on the list, but I think #1 maybe going to Los Angeles today. Brad Underwood (17) is the guy who built SFA into a basketball powerhouse in a previous decade. It is kind of ironic that Wade is listed one place ahead of his mentor, Shaka Smart.

FOOTBALL TRANSFER PORTAL PLUSES VS MINUSES

Many of the pundits that I listen to on the radio use a method of comparing transfers by those that leave vs those that join the team. In the case with McNeese, I have used that method and can absolutely declare that the gains are superior to the loses. Of course, time will tell if this assessment is accurate, but with only two scholarship seniors from a year ago and mostly backups leaving, the thought is some of these additions are upgrades. As some have said, they better be.

LSU is not getting the love that their fanbase expects and much of that is due to the same comparison. When you lose the best quarterback in the country and the Heisman winner, you are going to miss him. Many of the experts said he was 70% of the LSU offense and actually led the team in rushing the past two years. His speed and feet prevented a ton of sacks that the offensive line would have given up. LSU was blessed to have three super NFL level receivers during Daniels two years, and last year Nabers (6th pick) and Thomas (23rd pick) were both first rounders. Kayshon Boutte left after 2022.

Coach Kelly is touting former ULL WR Kyren Lacy as the next great LSU WR, but he was still #4 in 2002 and #3 in 2023. Kelly will rely on improvement from Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton to make us some of the lost yardage. Last year’s totals were Lacy 24 catches for 463 yards, Anderson 12 catches for 59 yards, and Hilton 10 catches for 169 yards. There are some good freshmen to choose from, but playing the game of additions vs losses, this does not look like an equal swap.

The LSU football team suffered quite a few losses this offseason, namely Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. on offense. While not as significant, there was quite a bit of turnover on defense, as well. The Tigers lost their three best defensive linemen who went in the NFL draft. Maason Smith (2nd round), Jordan Jefferson (4th), and Mekhi Wingo (6th). They had two defensive backs and one linebacker leave through the portal.

The Tigers have recruited well under coach Brian Kelly, but after compiling a transfer-heavy roster in his first two seasons, Kelly wasn’t as aggressive in the portal this time around, for better or worse.

There were still some key additions, headlined by receiver CJ Daniels, safety Jardin Gilbert and defensive tackle Jay’Viar Suggs. Still, the Tigers brought in just nine transfers while losing 27, and while many of those losses were from players who hadn’t seen significant game action, LSU’s portal performance ranks somewhere in the 9-13 range in the SEC depending on your source. Kelly is still bringing in transfers for visits, but it is getting late. One of their targets at DB committed to Ohio State over the weekend. On Sunday, four-star safety Faheen Delane committed to Ohio State. 

I really don’t think that WR is a critical spot for LSU as much as DL. If they can escape this year with what they got, they will add some premier WR’s this recruiting cycle because of the commitment of 5-star QB Bryce Underwood for 2025. Two of the nation’s top WR have said they would love to play with Underwood.

Part of Kelly’s problem in gaining transfers is that he over signed last year and had 92 scholarship players in the spring semester and needed to trim some guys off the roster.

I will spend the rest of the summer evaluating the transfer portal additions and losses. As on June 10, we have to admit that Ole Miss, Texas, Auburn, and Missouri have helped themselves greatly. Florida, Arkansas, and Mississippi State have been hit hard, but UF is starting to add some players. There are still some “difference makers” looking for homes and Florida lost so many players that they have scholarships to offer. Texas and Texas A&M lost a ton of players, but most of the starters are returning and they have added some help.