DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 24th year with its 2021 weekly surveys, and the Arkansas Razorbacks (26-5) have returned to the top spot for the fourth time this year and the initial time since the March 15 survey.
Southeastern Conference schools – Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt – have topped each of the NCBWA Top 30 polls this season.
There were several upward moves especially among the Top 10 - from the April 5 poll to this week as Mississippi State climbed from No. 6 to 5, East Carolina jumped from No. 8 to 6, Texas Tech hopped from No. 10 to 8, Ole Miss is now No. 5 from 7 last week, and Oklahoma State moved back into elite territory from No. 14 to 10. Louisiana Tech of Conference USA also made a major move from No. 20 to 13 this week.
There have been 12 conferences (nine again this week) represented in the first nine (including preseason) standings of 2021, and there were 15 different conferences included in the COVID-19 abbreviated NCBWA polls in 2020.
The 2021 poll voters come from among 33 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. The 21 season features 302 NCAA Division I baseball-playing schools, and for more information or to join the NCBWA please go to ncbwa.com.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.