Georgia Regional
Dan Magill Tennis Complex – Athens, GA
[7] Georgia Bulldogs (20-4) vs. [49-64] South Carolina State Bulldogs (12-8) – Saturday 1pm ET – Georgia was awarded an at-large berth after falling to Florida in the finals of the SEC Tournament while South Carolina State got the MEAC’s automatic berth for the eighth year in a row after defeating Florida A&M in the finals. SCSU played five teams that were ranked during the season and went 0-5 while being outscored 32-1. SCSU will be making its 14th all-time appearance at the NCAAs with a record of 0-13.
Who Is Streaking (Consecutive Wins >2)
[17-32] Florida State Seminoles (18-8) vs. [33-48] Baylor Bears (15-13) – Saturday 10am ET – Florida State got in as an at-large after falling to Virginia Tech in the ACC quarterfinals while Baylor played it’s way into the tournament after winning at Oklahoma State in the Big 12 quarterfinals. Baylor has been down a starter for over a month with Will Little, No. 4 singles/No. 1 doubles, out with an injury so that’s meant that walk-on Tyler Stayer has been starting at No. 6. Baylor head coach Matt Knoll has done a nice job to get this team to the tournament considering his current No. 5 and No. 6 singles players have a combined dual-match record of 12-23 with only 2 of those wins coming over teams ranked inside the top 200. Baylor has basically been going into each match down 2-0 so the margin for error is extremely slim.
Projected Singles Lineups
The UTR Power 6 is the combined UTRs of the starting 6 (rounded to a whole #). An individual win/loss to anyone with a UTR difference of 1.0 or greater would be considered an upset.
Doubles Records: Georgia Tech 18-6, UCSB 16-7
Projected Singles Lineups
I like Georgia Tech in doubles and I could see Michael Kay or Andrew Li winning at No. 6 but USC is stronger at 2 through 5 with Eubanks/de Vroome a toss-up at No. 1. Even though I’m not that high on USC I still think they pull through and get the win. If Georgia Tech were to pull the upset I think it’s best formula would be to win doubles and 1, 5, and 6 singles. Prediction: USC 4-2
Dan Magill Tennis Complex – Athens, GA
[7] Georgia Bulldogs (20-4) vs. [49-64] South Carolina State Bulldogs (12-8) – Saturday 1pm ET – Georgia was awarded an at-large berth after falling to Florida in the finals of the SEC Tournament while South Carolina State got the MEAC’s automatic berth for the eighth year in a row after defeating Florida A&M in the finals. SCSU played five teams that were ranked during the season and went 0-5 while being outscored 32-1. SCSU will be making its 14th all-time appearance at the NCAAs with a record of 0-13.
Doubles Records: Georgia 16-7, South Carolina State 10-10
UTR Starting 6 Power Rating: Georgia 84, South Carolina State 74
FYI, the number beside the player’s school is the player’s Universal Tennis Rating as of May 11th. For more details about UTR check out their website.
The UTR Power 6 is the combined UTRs of the starting 6 (rounded to a whole #). An individual win/loss to anyone with a UTR difference of 1.0 or greater would be considered an upset.
Projected Singles Lineups
1. #17 Austin Smith (UGA 14.62) vs. Martin Figura (SCSU 12.13)
2. #32 Wayne Montgomery (UGA 14.04) vs. Vladyslav Yanchenko (SCSU 12.85)
3. #64 Paul Oosterbaan (UGA 13.99) vs. Jakub Vitek (SCSU 12.79)
4. #123 Walker Duncan (UGA 13.64) vs. Stanislav Baco (SCSU 12.09/50%)
5. Jan Zielinski (UGA 13.78) vs. Aleksander Stupar (SCSU 11.77)
6. Nick Wood (UGA 13.83) vs. Edgar Diaz (SCSU 12.74/40%)
O: Emil Reinberg (UGA 13.38)
2. #32 Wayne Montgomery (UGA 14.04) vs. Vladyslav Yanchenko (SCSU 12.85)
3. #64 Paul Oosterbaan (UGA 13.99) vs. Jakub Vitek (SCSU 12.79)
4. #123 Walker Duncan (UGA 13.64) vs. Stanislav Baco (SCSU 12.09/50%)
5. Jan Zielinski (UGA 13.78) vs. Aleksander Stupar (SCSU 11.77)
6. Nick Wood (UGA 13.83) vs. Edgar Diaz (SCSU 12.74/40%)
O: Emil Reinberg (UGA 13.38)
Who Is Streaking (Consecutive Wins >2)
UGA: Reinberg 7, Smith 6
SCSU: Baco 4
SCSU: Baco 4
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Georgia sit a starter with Reinberg moving up to No. 6. Dawgs will take the doubles point and pick up wins from Smith, Duncan, and Wood. Prediction: Georgia 4-0.
[17-32] Florida State Seminoles (18-8) vs. [33-48] Baylor Bears (15-13) – Saturday 10am ET – Florida State got in as an at-large after falling to Virginia Tech in the ACC quarterfinals while Baylor played it’s way into the tournament after winning at Oklahoma State in the Big 12 quarterfinals. Baylor has been down a starter for over a month with Will Little, No. 4 singles/No. 1 doubles, out with an injury so that’s meant that walk-on Tyler Stayer has been starting at No. 6. Baylor head coach Matt Knoll has done a nice job to get this team to the tournament considering his current No. 5 and No. 6 singles players have a combined dual-match record of 12-23 with only 2 of those wins coming over teams ranked inside the top 200. Baylor has basically been going into each match down 2-0 so the margin for error is extremely slim.
Florida State had a solid year with its signature win over then undefeated and top-ranked North Carolina. FSU was getting close to a top 16 spot but a loss to Miami kept it in the low 20s.
Doubles Records: Florida State 17-7, Baylor 16-10
UTR Starting 6 Power Rating: Florida State 81, Baylor 79
Projected Singles Lineups
1. #11 Benjamin Lock (FSU 14.11) vs. #12 Julian Lenz (BU 14.58)
2. #76 Marco Nunez (FSU 13.57) vs. #94 Max Tchoutakian (BU 13.91)
3. Michael Rinaldi (FSU 13.49) vs. Felipe Rios (BU 13.61)
4. Aziz Dougaz (FSU 13.34) vs. Jimmy Bendeck (BU 13.20)
5. Jose Gracia (FSU 13.07) vs. Tommy Podvinski (BU 12.05)
6. Terrance Whitehurst (FSU 13.24) vs. Tyler Stayer (BU 11.28)
2. #76 Marco Nunez (FSU 13.57) vs. #94 Max Tchoutakian (BU 13.91)
3. Michael Rinaldi (FSU 13.49) vs. Felipe Rios (BU 13.61)
4. Aziz Dougaz (FSU 13.34) vs. Jimmy Bendeck (BU 13.20)
5. Jose Gracia (FSU 13.07) vs. Tommy Podvinski (BU 12.05)
6. Terrance Whitehurst (FSU 13.24) vs. Tyler Stayer (BU 11.28)
Who Is Streaking (Consecutive Wins >2)
FSU: Gracia 5
BU: Lenz 8
Baylor has performed a lot better in doubles than I thought it would but I still look for FSU to take the early lead. Both Jose Gracia and Terrance Whitehurst will be sizable favorites at No. 5 and No. 6 so Baylor will have to sweep the top four spots to win it. I like Julian Lenz and Max Tchoutakian at No. 1 and No. 2 but I think Aziz Dougaz clips Jimmy Bendeck at No. 4 to seal the win. The other matches will go unfinished with Rinaldi probably up on Rios at No. 3. Prediction: Florida State 4-1
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Regional Final – [17-32] Florida State at [7] Georgia – Sunday 1pm ET
Doubles Records: Georgia 16-7, Florida State 17-7
UTR Starting 6 Power Rating: Georgia 84, Florida State 81
Projected Singles Lineups
1. #17 Austin Smith (UGA 14.62) vs. #11 Benjamin Lock (FSU 14.11)
2. #32 Wayne Montgomery (UGA 14.04) vs. #76 Marco Nunez (FSU 13.57)
3. #64 Paul Oosterbaan (UGA 13.99) vs. Michael Rinaldi (FSU 13.49)
4. #123 Walker Duncan (UGA 13.64) vs. Aziz Dougaz (FSU 13.34)
5. Jan Zielinski (UGA 13.78) vs. Jose Gracia (FSU 13.07)
6. Nick Wood (UGA 13.83) vs. Terrance Whitehurst (FSU 13.24)
O: Emil Reinberg (UGA 13.38)
When I was previewing the UCLA regional I mentioned that San Diego had been sent to UCLA or USC for the last 6 years – well the story isn’t much different for Florida State. The Noles have now been sent to Athens four times in the last seven seasons with all three previous trips ending in a loss – 2010 (4-3), 2012 (4-1), and 2015 (4-0). Unfortunately for FSU, I see this trip ending with an L as well because even though I like FSU in doubles I like Austin Smith, Paul Oosterbaan, Jan Zielinski, and Nick Wood in singles. Prediction: Georgia 4-1.
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USC Regional
Marks Tennis Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
[10] USC Trojans (15-6) vs. [49-64] UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (15-9) – Friday 1pm PT – USC got in as an at-large after falling to Cal in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament while UNLV got an automatic bid for defeating Boise State in the finals of the Mountain West Tournament. UNLV won six matches in the final eight days of the season to earn its first spot in the NCAAs since 2007. UNLV faced 11 ranked teams going 3-8 with the wins coming against Boise State and New Mexico twice. USC put itself in a hole match after match by dropping the doubles point 12 times but it did rally to win 7 of those matches.
Doubles Records: USC 8-12, UNLV 15-9
UTR Starting 6 Power Rating: USC 84, UNLV 77
FYI, the number beside the player’s school is the player’s Universal Tennis Rating as of May 10th. For more details about UTR check out their website.
The UTR Power 6 is the combined UTRs of the starting 6 (rounded to a whole #). An individual win/loss to anyone with a UTR difference of 1.0 or greater would be considered an upset.
Projected Singles Lineups
1. #23 Max de Vroome (USC 14.41) vs. Jakob Amilon (UNLV 13.48)
2. #41 Nick Crystal (USC 14.30) vs. Alexandr Cozbinov (UNLV 13.35)
3. #69 Logan Smith (USC 13.68) vs. Ruben Alberts (UNLV 12.85)
4. #102 Jake DeVine (USC 13.80) vs. Evaldo Neto (UNLV 12.37)
4. #102 Jake DeVine (USC 13.80) vs. Evaldo Neto (UNLV 12.37)
5. #121 Thibault Forget (USC 14.04) vs. Adam Gage-Brown (UNLV 11.93)
6. Laurens Verboven (USC 13.13) vs. Richard Solberg (UNLV 12.72)
O: Jack Jaede (USC 13.10)
6. Laurens Verboven (USC 13.13) vs. Richard Solberg (UNLV 12.72)
O: Jack Jaede (USC 13.10)
Who Is Streaking (Consecutive Wins >2)
USC: de Vroome 8, Forget 4
UNLV: Solberg 6, Amilon 5
I think this has the potential to be the closest of all the 1 versus 16 matches and while I don’t think UNLV will win I do think they’ll put a point on the board. I like USC in doubles and Nick Crystal, Jake DeVine, and Thibault Forget in singles while I think Richard Solberg will put UNLV on the board at No. 6. Prediction: USC 4-1.
[17-32] Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (16-8) vs. [33-48] UC Santa Barbara (17-6) – Friday 10am PT – Georgia Tech got in as an at-large after falling to North Carolina in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament while UCSB got an automatic bid after defeating Cal Poly in the finals of the Big West Tournament. Six of Georgia Tech’s eight losses came to teams ranked inside the top ten with its only non top 25 loss coming early in the year at South Carolina. UCSB played 16 matches against teams that were ranked inside the top 75 at some point in the season going 11-5.
This will be Georgia Tech’s second trip to Los Angeles this season after the Jackets played at UCLA during the Kick-Off Weekend back in January (win over New Mexico; loss to UCLA).
Doubles Records: Georgia Tech 18-6, UCSB 16-7
UTR Starting 6 Power Rating: Georgia Tech 80, UCSB 78
Projected Singles Lineups
1. #7 Christopher Eubanks (GT 14.29) vs. Nathan Eshmade (UCSB 13.05)
2. #113 Carlos Benito (GT 13.49) vs. Nicolas Moreno de Alboran (UCSB 13.48)
3. Cole Fiegel (GT 12.95) vs. Morgan Mays (UCSB 12.98)
4. Daniel Yun (GT 13.05) vs. Anders Holm (UCSB 12.83)
5. Nathan Rakitt (GT 13.36) vs. Cody Rakela (UCSB 12.77)
6. Michael Kay (GT 13.08) vs. Teague Hamilton (UCSB 12.89)
O: Andrew Li (GT 13.23)
2. #113 Carlos Benito (GT 13.49) vs. Nicolas Moreno de Alboran (UCSB 13.48)
3. Cole Fiegel (GT 12.95) vs. Morgan Mays (UCSB 12.98)
4. Daniel Yun (GT 13.05) vs. Anders Holm (UCSB 12.83)
5. Nathan Rakitt (GT 13.36) vs. Cody Rakela (UCSB 12.77)
6. Michael Kay (GT 13.08) vs. Teague Hamilton (UCSB 12.89)
O: Andrew Li (GT 13.23)
Who Is Streaking (Consecutive Wins >2)
GT: Eubanks 7
UCSB: Hamilton 12, Mays 7, Moreno de Alboran 6, Holm 4
GT: Eubanks 7
UCSB: Hamilton 12, Mays 7, Moreno de Alboran 6, Holm 4
Georgia Tech is stronger in doubles and Chris Eubanks is the best player on the court but the other five singles matches are all going to be highly competitive. I like Anders Holm and Teague Hamilton for UCSB but Nathan Rakitt and Carlos Benito will pull the Ramblin Wreck through to the next round. Prediction: Georgia Tech 4-2
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Regional Final – [17-32] Georgia Tech at [11] USC – Saturday 1pm PT –
Doubles Records: USC 8-12, Georgia Tech 18-6
UTR Starting 6 Power Rating: USC 84, Georgia Tech 80
Projected Singles Lineups
1. #23 Max de Vroome (USC 14.41) vs. #7 Christopher Eubanks (GT 14.29)
2. #41 Nick Crystal (USC 14.30) vs. #113 Carlos Benito (GT 13.49)
3. #69 Logan Smith (USC 13.68) vs. Cole Fiegel (GT 12.95)
4. #102 Jake DeVine (USC 13.80) vs. Daniel Yun (GT 13.05)
4. #102 Jake DeVine (USC 13.80) vs. Daniel Yun (GT 13.05)
5. #121 Thibault Forget (USC 14.04) vs. Nathan Rakitt (GT 13.36)
6. Laurens Verboven (USC 13.13) vs. Michael Kay (GT 13.08)
O: Jack Jaede (USC 13.10); Andrew Li (GT 13.23)
6. Laurens Verboven (USC 13.13) vs. Michael Kay (GT 13.08)
O: Jack Jaede (USC 13.10); Andrew Li (GT 13.23)
I like Georgia Tech in doubles and I could see Michael Kay or Andrew Li winning at No. 6 but USC is stronger at 2 through 5 with Eubanks/de Vroome a toss-up at No. 1. Even though I’m not that high on USC I still think they pull through and get the win. If Georgia Tech were to pull the upset I think it’s best formula would be to win doubles and 1, 5, and 6 singles. Prediction: USC 4-2
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