DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the ninth year with its 2006 preseason predictions and weekly surveys. Weekly polls will continue through June 27, following the NCAA World Series in Omaha, Neb.

The Rice Owls completed a 4-0 week, including three wins in the Rice Invitational, to move to the top spot in the poll. Rice is the third team this season to occupy the No. 1 ranking. Florida, which was the top-ranked team for three weeks, fell to No. 5. North Carolina and Georgia Tech, also both 4-0 this week, moved in behind the Owls at Nos. 2 and 3. Fourth-ranked Clemson gives the ACC three of the top four teams. Still, with Georgia moving into the rankings, the SEC leads all conferences with eight teams.

Overall, this week's poll has representation by 10 different conferences among the 284 baseball-playing schools in the NCAA Division I ranks.

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