just a call

Hard to see any of the Mississippi schools in the NCAA Division I Tournament getting out of the regional round. Alcorn State has had a fine season, earning its first NCAA appearance, and has some talent. But the Braves likely are out of their element in a Houston regional with C-USA champion Rice, Pac-10 rep California and Baylor of the Big 12. It's 2-and-out for Alcorn. Since Southern Miss and Mississippi State play each other today in Atlanta, one of them will win at least once. But Georgia Tech's great pitching — the Yellow Jackets have a potential first-round draftee, Ned Bradley, who ranks just fourth on the staff in wins — figures to dominate this regional, which also includes upstart Austin Peay. USM has too many issues, from ineligible pitchers to injuries to a sudden lack of offensive punch. The Golden Eagles flamed out in the C-USA Tournament, failing to score in their last 16 innings in a disappointing 1-2 showing. USM's defense also lets it down too often; it allowed 64 unearned runs in 56 games. State appeared to hit a wall in the SEC Tournament, bowing out in two games. The Bulldogs' pitching staff may just be worn out, and they don't have the kind of attack that's going to win many 8-7 games. State might be happy enough just to have made a regional again, especially in a year when Ole Miss didn't.