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 Arkansas is No. 1 for the 2021-high ninth week and season-best sixth week in a row this spring.
Southeastern Conference schools Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt · continue to dominate the ratings and also have topped each of the NCBWA Top 30 polls in '21.
While numerous schools in the Top 10 suffered upsets, the first 20 teams in the poll were very similar. There also was a tie for No. 30 between Baylor and Oregon State for the first time in 21. Moving up in the standings for May 17 are Texas, who moves from No. 4 last week to 2, Texas Tech from No. 7 to 4, Oregon from No. 9 to 7, Arizona from No. 12 to 9 and Notre Dame from No. 11 back into the Top 10 at No. 9.
All teams that received the 20 initial bid possibilities last week for NCAA Regional sites are in this weeks Top 31.
There have been 14 conferences (nine for the fifth consecutive week) represented in the first 12 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.