Texas is looking for its first school volleyball championship since 2012, and if the Longhorns are to win all of it, they may achieve this because the No. 1 general seed within the Ncaa event.

Two different 1-seeds, Stanford and defending champion Wisconsin, have mixed for 4 of the final six NCAA titles.

The fourth No. 1 seed, Louisville, reached the nationwide semifinals for the primary time in program historical past final yr and will make historical past as the primary ACC workforce to win all of it, however the Cardinals may need to undergo second-seeded Nebraska, which might be no small process.

With this yr’s ultimate 4 (Dec. 15-17) returning to CHI Well being Heart in Omaha, the Huskers are aiming for his or her sixth nationwide title and their first of their residence state since 2015.

In the meantime, San Diego is 27-1 and hasn’t misplaced since falling to Louisville in early September, but when the Toreros, a No. 2 seed, wish to preserve surprising the world, they may must face 2020 champion Kentucky in a regional semifinal and nine-time champion Stanford within the regional finals.

Earlier than the regionals start Thursday, we requested our analysts to interrupt down the bracket — which groups have the hardest highway to Omaha and what are their predictions for the primary weekend of the event?

Which workforce’s seed shocked you essentially the most?

Holly McPeak: Going into the choice present, I assumed both Stanford or San Diego can be No. 4, so it is not stunning that they must play one another to get to the nationwide semifinals. I assumed Nebraska being seeded forward of a streaking Minnesota workforce, which simply swept the Huskers and has a greater RPI, was a shock, however the committee instructed me that whereas they agreed the Gophers have been the new workforce of late, Nebraska had an awesome physique of labor the remainder of the season with no unhealthy losses to unranked groups.

Courtney Lyle: My greatest shock wasn’t a seed; it was the truth that the SEC had essentially the most groups within the event. Seven groups are dancing, essentially the most for the reason that SEC had eight in 2013. We have seen conferences just like the Pac-12 and the Massive Ten reign supreme within the volleyball world for a very long time. I believe it is a nice signal the game is rising all around the nation.

Jennifer Hoffman: I agree with Courtney right here. Not that rankings are a sign of convention power, however solely two of the seven SEC groups are ranked within the prime 25, and losses down the stretch for a number of groups ought to have left a few of their at-large bids among the many first 4 out record.

M.A. Voepel: The NCAA event bubble could be murky in all sports activities, but it surely typically appears to be actually murky in volleyball. As Courtney and Jennifer mentioned, seven for the SEC meant the inclusion of groups reminiscent of Tennessee and Auburn. The league may need anticipated to get one in (Auburn), however not each. That mentioned, general there actually weren’t many strange-looking choices, particularly in comparison with some previous years.

Sam Gore: That is really the primary NCAA event bracket that did not go away me with an enormous query. The Committee did an intensive job, and any preliminary skepticism about one thing was met head on and defined by committee chair Pauline Theros. If I needed to nitpick, I used to be minorly shocked Georgia Tech was not a 4-seed.

Paul Sunderland: I used to be by no means shocked general by the seeding. The committee for years has been extensively criticized … however not this yr. Nonetheless, San Diego earned and deserved a No. 1 seed. The Toreros nonetheless must cope with Stanford, however they earned the No. 4 general seed and the benefit of internet hosting.

Which of the highest 4 seeds has the hardest highway to Omaha?

McPeak: As a result of Minnesota is the most well liked workforce proper now, I really feel like Texas’ highway shall be difficult. Texas is among the most bodily groups within the nation and Minnesota can match the Longhorns in sure areas. Texas has a particular workforce chemistry this yr with all its new gamers, and led by Logan Eggleston, the Longhorns are on a mission to win all of it.

Lyle: Texas has the hardest highway to Omaha. The Longhorns may face Ohio State or Minnesota within the tremendous regionals. The Golden Gophers are one of many hottest groups coming into the event, having gained 11 of their final 13 matches. Taylor Landfair averages greater than 4.0 kills per set and she or he’s used to battling an enormous block within the Massive Ten.

Hoffman: I do not see any prime 4 seeds having a simple highway to Omaha. I really feel the event discipline had some followers questioning the committee, however general, the way in which the sector is unfold out, whichever groups make it to Omaha most actually may have earned it.

Voepel: The Longhorns could find yourself with the toughest Elite Eight match, however won’t have an excessive amount of bother earlier than that. So for the whole highway to Omaha, there could also be a number of extra potential potholes for Louisvillle, which can must get previous Purdue, Baylor and Nebraska to advance to the ultimate 4. Total, each regional ultimate could really feel like a nationwide championship match by way of the standard of play.

Gore: Although I believe Texas is the perfect general workforce within the discipline, its highway to the nationwide semis is filled with potential obstacles. Georgia Tech could be actually good when it positive factors momentum, and Julia Bergmann can take over a match. Ohio State and USC are each loaded with expertise as properly. That mentioned, Minnesota presents the largest problem earlier than the Texas quarterfinal begins. The Gophers completed sturdy within the Massive Ten, and I all the time really feel the caliber of competitors Massive Ten groups play is a optimistic intangible in NCAA event play. With this additionally being Hugh McCutcheon’s ultimate season, there’s an emotional part in play as properly. Make little doubt, Texas can get by way of its quarter, however it is going to be a well-earned, hard-fought effort.

Sunderland: Texas. Julia Bergmann and Georgia Tech await down the highway, and Minnesota is wholesome, scorching (7-1 within the final eight) and has Taylor Landfair rolling.

Which low-seeded or unseeded workforce has the perfect likelihood to make a deep run within the event?

McPeak: It is a powerful query. USC has the potential to upset any person as a result of the Trojans compete properly, however they’ve been battling some critical accidents. Washington is a senior-heavy workforce that has tons of NCAA expertise and will make a long term if it catches hearth.

Lyle: I am excited to see what Auburn can do. The Tigers went into the season trying to achieve expertise and develop the totally different weapons they’ve. Now Auburn is within the NCAA event for simply the second time, dancing with nothing to lose. That makes for a harmful workforce.

Hoffman: Auburn is younger and performs fearlessly. The Tigers had excessive highs and low lows all through the season, however that by no means appeared to have an effect on them. Akasha Anderson and Kendel Kemp are forces to be reckoned with, and Auburn is positioned to take this event without warning.

Voepel: No. 7 seed BYU had just one “unhealthy” loss — 3-2 at Pacific in October — and will have a rematch with No. 2 Pitt within the second spherical. The Cougars misplaced to Pitt 3-1 in Provo, Utah, on Sept. 3, and should relish one other shot on the Panthers.

Gore: I will go together with Kansas or UNLV. Each groups are underrated and have the items to drag off some upsets.

Sunderland: BYU and USC are each able to a run. The Cougars are wholesome now with the return of setter Whitney Bower. For the Trojans, Texas switch Skylar Fields and prime setter Mia Tuaniga can carry them. Setters make the distinction, particularly this time of yr.

Who’s the event’s must-watch participant?

McPeak: I believe there are such a lot of particular gamers that it’s arduous to select one. Madi Skinner has developed into among the finest six rotation left-side attackers within the nation, and her counterpart Logan Eggleston is a four-time All-American on a mission. Taylor Landfair of Minnesota is a dynamic attacker who can take over a match as properly.

Lyle: Logan Eggleston of Texas has carried out just about the whole lot besides win a nationwide championship. Her teammates wish to win it for her — that tells you what sort of individual she is. Eggleston is must-watch TV for her highly effective swings, her nasty serve and simply her pure drive.

Hoffman: I do not hear sufficient about Brooke Nuneville from Oregon. She’s thrilling to observe but in addition does it on the defensive finish and generally is a spark for the Geese.

Voepel: In the event you love the massive hitters, you will get pleasure from watching 6-foot-5 reverse Kendall Kipp of Stanford. She was a freshman on the Cardinal’s 2019 nationwide championship workforce, when Kathryn Plummer was Stanford’s star. Kipp is averaging 4.31 kills per set and was simply named the Pac-12 participant of the yr. She is the thirteenth Cardinal participant to win the convention’s prime honor, and the primary since Plummer gained it back-to-back in 2017-2018.

Gore: There are two must-watch gamers that give followers immediate highlights each match: Texas’ Logan Eggleston and Georgia Tech’s Julia Bergmann.

Sunderland: There are such a lot of must-watch gamers, however let’s begin with Wisconsin’s Devyn Robinson. She is explosive and could be unstoppable — simply ask Nebraska and Ohio State. Subsequent is Claire Chaussee of Louisville. She’s this yr’s Jordan Larson award winner as the perfect all-around participant within the nation. (OK, so what if I made that up?) Lastly, Rice setter Carly Graham is exclusive and led the Owls to a sweep over San Diego in final yr’s event.

Which groups will make it to the ultimate 4?

Hoffman: Minnesota, San Diego, Wisconsin and Louisville. December is the perfect time of the yr. Let the video games start.

Voepel: Texas, San Diego, Wisconsin, Louisville. But when Nebraska, Creighton or each make it, the power within the constructing shall be by way of the roof.

Gore: The 4 that win all their matches! Sorry, I could not resist! I am delighted to say this yr’s NCAA event is filled with potential upsets, so let’s get pleasure from the way it all performs out.

Sunderland: Let’s get right down to it. Wisconsin is enjoying at an unimaginable stage and Louisville is getting more healthy by the day with Anna Debeer returning. I will decide Stanford by a whisker over San Diego (which is the actual deal). Lastly, to not be boring, however Minnesota over Stanford. It is a lengthy shot, however Minnesota is Texas’ kryptonite primarily based on type.