An in-depth look at the Clemson Regional

[Matt Dillon]

Kentucky will be headed to the Clemson Regional for its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, paired with No. 1 seed Clemson, No. 2 seed West Virginia and No. 4 USC Upstate. Regional play will begin on Friday, with the Regional Final taking place on Sunday (or Monday if needed).

The Regional would mark Kentucky’s first clash with Clemson since 1997 (swept by the Tigers on the road), but the ‘Cats are fairly familiar with the other two teams. The ‘Cats and Upstate Spartans last met in Spartanburg to kick off the 2024 season, where Nick Mingione’s team came away with the sweep. Kentucky and West Virginia last met in the 2023 Lexington Regional, where the ‘Cats run-ruled them 10-0 en route to a Regional win.

Here’s an in-depth look at the teams Kentucky will be playing against for a trip to a Super Regional against the winner of the Baton Rouge Regional (No. 1 LSU, No. 2 Dallas Baptist, No. 3 Rhode Island and No. 4 Little Rock).

An in-depth look at the Clemson Regional​

[Lighthouse]

We got a doable region. If our starting pitching holds up and we can a couple of timely big hits we could move on. If LSU don't win their region, it would be a huge upset.

[Catsrock]

Clemson has a first baseman named Luke Gaffney. He’s from Danville, played at Boyle County—catcher back then. Starred at Purdue for one season. When he hit the portal I was hopeful UK would go get him but he wound up at Clemson.

[Lighthouse]

Our game with West Virginia is at noon Friday on ESPNU. GO CATS!!!