SURGING: Southern Miss, Matthew Russo DELIVER Run-Rule Drama as Cajuns Impact Sun Belt Seeding

Southern Miss Golden Eagles streak to the Sun Belt regular season title after winning 14 of their last 15 games, capped by Matthew Russo’s dramatic walk-off run-rule homer against Georgia Southern. Are they poised to turn their late-season momentum into a Sun Belt Conference Tournament run—and a potential national seed? Dave Schultz breaks down how Southern Miss surged past Coastal Carolina, discusses their eighth-ranked non-conference schedule, and questions whether Power 4 teams like Kentucky and NC State deserve NCAA tournament spots over top Sun Belt contenders. Key topics include RPI debates, Louisiana’s (the Cajuns) gritty series win over Coastal Carolina, crucial pitching decisions ahead of single-elimination matchups, and Old Dominion’s late turnaround. The Sun Belt bracket scenarios, tiebreakers, and pitfalls for teams like Arkansas State and ULM round out a high-stakes preview. Can Southern Miss and fellow Sun Belt programs prove their mettle on the national stage?