Coach's Cat-5 Sports Picks

High Winds. High Picks. No Shelter Needed.

Author

Charlie Krausse
June 18, 2025

EYE OF THE HURRICANE 🌀 🏴‍☠️ 

Day 6 in Omaha sent two more teams packing. Leaving us are Oregon State and UCLA. The SEC has two remaining (one will be in the championship) while the ACC’s rep, Louisville, will face the Sun Belt’s rep, Coastal Carolina. Who had them as your final four. Full disclosure, my pre-tournament bracket predictions I had Arkansas vs. North Carolina in the championship.

In Bracket-2 I think it is going to come down which team has the more dominant pitcher on the mound with the higher level of effectiveness. Kade Anderson leads the nation in strikeouts, while Arkansas’ Gage Wood struck out 19 in a no-hitter.

On the Bracket-1 side of things, it might come down to offense. Coastal Carolina is averaging over 7.5 runs per game throughout the tournament. Louisville’s bats will need to stay hot.

FLORIDA REPEATS AS STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS 🏒 🏆️ 

The Florida Panthers officially ran it back, defeating the Edmonton Oilers, 4 games to 2 games in capturing Stanley Cup championships. Sam Reinhart scored 7 Goals and 3 Assists in the championship series to earn MVP. Four of which Game 6.

Four minutes into the game Reinhart got his first goal of the game. Then in the 2nd, his second could have very well broken the backs of the Edmonton Oilers’ spirits, giving the Panthers a 3-0 lead. His 3rd goal came as an empty netter in Edmonton’s last ditch effort. And then, almost as a curtain call, Reinhart got his 4th of the night, in the 5-1 victory.

The Panthers finished the regular season in 3rd place of the Atlantic Division, 10 points behind the leaders, Toronto Blue Jays.

Florida opened up the playoffs with a 4-1 upset over state rivals Tampa Bay Lightning. Then in the conference semis, the Panthers needed Game 7 to advance past the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the conference championship, in a pretty much one-sided pairing, the Florida Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. And then in the championship, they defeated the Oilers in six.

CWS FINAL 4 SET ⚾️ 🌽 🏆️ 

The Final 4 is set! The SEC is guaranteed a spot in the championship. In Bracket-1, Louisville advanced past Oregon State in the bottom of the 9th inning to advance past the same team that sent them to the elimination bracket. The Cardinals loaded the bases after Oregon State had a 3-run rally in the top of the 9th. A deep sack fly brought in the game winning run and advanced the Cardinals to the Final Four.

The SEC ran the gauntlet in Bracket-2. LSU took down UCLA in the morning conclusion. Then in the nightcap, Arkansas put it to UCLA in the elimination game, thus setting up a rematch for the rights to play for the championship.

If either Coastal Carolina or LSU wins on Wednesday, they advance to the championship series starting on Saturday. If either Louisville or Arkansas win on Wednesday, it sets up a win and advance or lose and go home situation on Thursday.

ROCCO’S JELLO SHOT CHALLENGE UPDATE

Its LSU’s to lose, as predicted. But still fun to follow.

  1. LSU - 20,279

  2. Arkansas - 7,717

  3. Murray State - 7,709

  4. Coastal Carolina - 5,263

  5. Oregon State - 1,808

  6. Louisville - 1,769

  7. Arizona - 1,741

  8. UCLA - 1,401

SHARING IS CARING

PHIL STEELE MAGAZINE NOW AVAILABLE
📖 🏈 

Anyone who knows me, knows the official start to the college football season is when the Phil Steele preview magazine is released. Well, guess what folks - it is! Now available. Order your copy today - https://philsteele.com/store-new/ 

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