It seems likely that the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team might be named the top overall seed in the 2024 NCAA baseball tournament. However, based on social media chatter, many fans would prefer the Vols to avoid this honor.
D1 Baseball’s latest projections, released on Sunday morning, ranked the Vols as the #1 overall seed.
Many UT fans may still recall the disappointment from when the Vols were the #1 seed in 2022. That team won both the SEC regular season and tournament titles, similar to this year, but failed to reach Omaha after losing 2 out of 3 games to Notre Dame in the Super Regional.
The challenges for the top overall seed extend beyond the Vols’ 2022 experience. Historically, the top seed has struggled significantly, often failing to reach the College World Series. According to the NCAA, the top seed has missed the College World Series nine times, reached the final series only twice, and won the title just once—by the 1999 Miami Hurricanes under the current format.
Despite this troubling history, past outcomes do not dictate future results. Whether seeded 1, 2, or 5, the Vols will face strong competition in the postseason. Success will depend on their preparation rather than their ranking.
The Vols have consistently risen to the occasion throughout the season and aim to continue proving themselves beyond their ranking when the field of 64 is announced next weekend.
