The regional is the first in the Northeast since the NCAA put one in Waterbury, Conn., in 1990. All regionals are played on campus fields, except for Rutgers and Oklahoma. The regional in Oklahoma City will be played at Bricktown Ballpark. One of the NCAA's goals when it expanded the tournament from 48 to 64 teams beginning last season was to increase national interest. Connecticut also put a bid in, so that's very encouraging.
Attendance is extremely important.
It will be a real trial test for those schools. South Carolina, which last played host to a regional in 1985, was overlooked last season, but its 51-7 record before Friday's game against Kentucky and No. 1 ranking couldn't be denied this season. Two conference champs that did not get regionals were Wichita State and Central Florida. We just let the ball roll.