This story has been updated with new information
HOOVER, AL — Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco doesn’t try to stop the inevitable.
Between reporters and the 21st century assortment of social media apps players have on their phones, Bianco understands his players will see the latest projections, good or bad, regarding where Ole Miss will play in an NCAA tournament regional.
“You can’t hide them from (NCAA tournament projections),” Bianco said after No. 7 Ole Miss beat No. 2 Arkansas 5-1. “It’s like trying to get a teenager or somebody in their 20s to stay off social media. There’s too much. There’s too many of you guys (reporters). There’s too many podcasts. There’s too many internet sources.”
The win on May 23 in the SEC tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium helped them in their quest to earn a top-16 seed and a host bid for an NCAA tournament regional. Ole Miss advanced to face No. 3 LSU on May 24. The game will air on SEC Network and is projected to start at 1:30 p.m. CT.
Ole Miss entered the SEC tournament on the bubble for a top-16 seed. Bianco has discussed it briefly with his team, but cementing a top-16 bid with a great week was not how he framed the conversation.
He broke down his team’s approach into tiny chunks. For pitcher Riley Maddox, it’s about delivering the next pitch. For catcher Austin Fawley, it’s about blocking the next ball in the dirt.
“You can only control the things that you can control,” Bianco said. “The rest of it is out of your control. It’s difficult, much easier said than done, and I think especially in this day and age, for anybody, not just in college baseball and regionals and all of that, but that’s not the recipe for success to run out on a field and think that you have to do something to be able to get something else.”
How Ole Miss baseball’s win affect NCAA tournament projections
Ole Miss has stacked quality wins in 2025.
The Rebels’ win over Arkansas was their 18th Quad 1 win, the most in the nation. It was also much needed, according to the latest projections. Before the game, D1 Baseball projected the Rebels as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament that would travel to face No. 14 overall seed Southern Miss in a Hattiesburg regional.
The victory over Arkansas is a sparkling addition to Ole Miss’ résumé. The Razorbacks entered the game with the No. 3 RPI in the nation. With the win, Ole Miss has tied the season series 2-2.
“The mantra will be shower well tonight, put this game behind you, and try to play really good baseball tomorrow,” Bianco said.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
