Florida STate A.D. Michael Alford praised for committee work
On3 • • sports
Key Points:
- Florida State Athletics Director Michael Alford, chair of the NCAA Division I Baseball Selection Committee, emphasized strength of schedule and various metrics like RPI, KPI, and DSR in selecting the 64-team college baseball field.
- Alford defended controversial decisions, such as Mississippi State hosting over Arkansas due to a tougher conference schedule, and Kentucky’s inclusion based on wins against NCAA tournament teams despite a poor SEC series record.
- Mercer was excluded despite a strong record and RPI ranking, primarily due to a weaker non-conference strength of schedule compared to other mid-major programs.
- ESPN analysts praised the committee's work, highlighting a balanced bracket and the avoidance of repetitive matchups in Regional and Super Regional rounds, marking an improvement over previous years.
- While some mid-major teams were left out, overall reactions from commentators were positive, noting the committee’s efforts to create a diverse and competitive tournament field.