Indiana University has captured the Big Ten Tournament title and claims the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament field. And, no, I'm not talking hoops. The Hoosiers' baseball team crushed Minnesota in the Big Ten title game, 13-2. Those IU bats that so many lauded before the season powered the Hoosiers to the crown.
IU must now wait for the tournament field of 64 to be announced to see where they are going to play next weekend. Minnesota and Ohio State (who the Gophers eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament earlier today) will also wait to see if they have done well enough for the selection committee to give them at-large berths to The Dance. (One would hope their RPI number alone would merit them inclusion amongst the sixty-four.)
Tonight, however, belongs to Indiana. Congratulations to the Hoosiers on their Big Ten Tournament title.
Showing posts with label 2009 Big Ten Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 Big Ten Tournament. Show all posts
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Indiana Advances To Title Game
Indiana thumped Ohio State, 13-3, and advanced to the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament. IU's Tyler Rogers had three hits and four RBI. Alex Dickerson, Kipp Schutz and Jake Dunning each had two RBI for the Hoosiers.
The loss sends Ohio State into the loser's bracket and a date with Minnesota Saturday afternoon at 3:30pm. The winner of the Gophers vs. Buckeyes game will face the Hoosiers in the championship game tomorrow evening.
Some randoms thoughts before calling it a night:
My guess is that any hope Illinois has for a NCAA Tournament berth will disappear if the Hoosiers win the conference tournament. If IU secures the automatic berth and OSU and Minnesota garner at-large nods for their strong RPI figures, I can't imagine any scenario where the selection committee would take four Big Ten squads.
As the Illini are not a lock for an at-large berth, is it better for the conference overall if Indiana does win out? The Buckeyes and Gophers would appear to have at-large berths secure. (Or, at least, as secure as a Big Ten side can be.) If the Hoosiers claim the conference tournament title, wouldn't that mean three Big Ten teams would be amongst the 64 teams still playing next weekend? If Minnesota or OSU win the post-season crown, that would only put two Big Ten teams in the NCAA tourney. I'm just sayin'........
Can you hear all the national media (Aaron Fitt comes to mind) and me, wondering aloud where IU might be if they had played this well all season long? The answer, by the way, is that IU would have an at-large berth in the bag by now.
We've reached the point where the battle of attrition begins. Do any of these teams have enough arms ready to play into Sunday? OSU and Minnesota will need to, if they hope to win. And IU has already used their weekend starters heading into the championship game. Big leads may not mean much in the next couple of games.
Anyone else think Huntington Park looks great? Lots of quirkiness and interesting features. All the reports from Columbus concur with what I've seen on television -- it's a great venue.
The loss sends Ohio State into the loser's bracket and a date with Minnesota Saturday afternoon at 3:30pm. The winner of the Gophers vs. Buckeyes game will face the Hoosiers in the championship game tomorrow evening.
Some randoms thoughts before calling it a night:
My guess is that any hope Illinois has for a NCAA Tournament berth will disappear if the Hoosiers win the conference tournament. If IU secures the automatic berth and OSU and Minnesota garner at-large nods for their strong RPI figures, I can't imagine any scenario where the selection committee would take four Big Ten squads.
As the Illini are not a lock for an at-large berth, is it better for the conference overall if Indiana does win out? The Buckeyes and Gophers would appear to have at-large berths secure. (Or, at least, as secure as a Big Ten side can be.) If the Hoosiers claim the conference tournament title, wouldn't that mean three Big Ten teams would be amongst the 64 teams still playing next weekend? If Minnesota or OSU win the post-season crown, that would only put two Big Ten teams in the NCAA tourney. I'm just sayin'........
Can you hear all the national media (Aaron Fitt comes to mind) and me, wondering aloud where IU might be if they had played this well all season long? The answer, by the way, is that IU would have an at-large berth in the bag by now.
We've reached the point where the battle of attrition begins. Do any of these teams have enough arms ready to play into Sunday? OSU and Minnesota will need to, if they hope to win. And IU has already used their weekend starters heading into the championship game. Big leads may not mean much in the next couple of games.
Anyone else think Huntington Park looks great? Lots of quirkiness and interesting features. All the reports from Columbus concur with what I've seen on television -- it's a great venue.
Minnesota Pounds Illinois, 13-4
Minnesota eliminated Illinois from the Big Ten Tournament, 13-4. The Gophers' Nick O'Shea homered twice and had five RBI. Michael Kvasnicka hit a homer for the second straight game and also had a five-RBI afternoon for Minnesota.
Now, the question becomes "Is that the last game of the year for Illinois"? We won't know for sure until the NCAA Tournament field is announced, but they would appear to be barely holding onto their bubble position. Here's hoping the top seeds prevail in all the other conference tournaments.
One game left tonight and it's from the winner's bracket. Indiana will attempt to continue their dominant pitching run against regular season champion Ohio State. The loser gets to play Minnesota tomorrow afternoon in an elimination game. (Anyone want to guess who the Gophers send to the hill for that one?) The winner of tonight's affair between the Hoosiers and Buckeyes advance to the potential championship game Saturday evening.
Now, the question becomes "Is that the last game of the year for Illinois"? We won't know for sure until the NCAA Tournament field is announced, but they would appear to be barely holding onto their bubble position. Here's hoping the top seeds prevail in all the other conference tournaments.
One game left tonight and it's from the winner's bracket. Indiana will attempt to continue their dominant pitching run against regular season champion Ohio State. The loser gets to play Minnesota tomorrow afternoon in an elimination game. (Anyone want to guess who the Gophers send to the hill for that one?) The winner of tonight's affair between the Hoosiers and Buckeyes advance to the potential championship game Saturday evening.
Gophers Survive, Eliminate Boilers
Minnesota eliminated Purdue from the Big Ten Tournament, 12-3. Only four teams remain, the top four seeds heading into the tournament -- Ohio State, Minnesota, Indiana and Illinois.
Gophers' starter Tom Buske tossed his first complete game.
The Gophers will now play in today's second game against Illinois. Not only is it an elimination game for both teams, but one does wonder if it's a potential do-or-die situation for the Illini in regards to their at-large NCAA Tournament hopes?
According the this morning pseudo-RPI at Boyd's World, Illinois is sitting at number 63. A win over Minnesota (who is 25 in pseudo-RPI) would certainly help the Illini. Staying alive in the conference tournament also gives them the opportunity to add wins and RPI points. Conversely, a loss this afternoon might bounce Illinois from both the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.
Gophers' starter Tom Buske tossed his first complete game.
The Gophers will now play in today's second game against Illinois. Not only is it an elimination game for both teams, but one does wonder if it's a potential do-or-die situation for the Illini in regards to their at-large NCAA Tournament hopes?
According the this morning pseudo-RPI at Boyd's World, Illinois is sitting at number 63. A win over Minnesota (who is 25 in pseudo-RPI) would certainly help the Illini. Staying alive in the conference tournament also gives them the opportunity to add wins and RPI points. Conversely, a loss this afternoon might bounce Illinois from both the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Buckeyes Down Illinois, 7-4
Game Five of the Big Ten Tournament saw Ohio State beat Illinois, 7-4. Things looked good for Illinois early as Will Strack was pitching well and Aaron Johnson's homer gave the Illini the lead. Eventually, Illinois even chased OSU's Alex Wimmers from the mound, but the Buckeyes posted a come-from-behind win.
Michael Arp drove in two for Ohio State. Johnson had three hits and three RBI for Illinois. Drew Rucinski got the win. Jake Hale picked up the save.
OSU advances in the winner's bracket. They will get a good look at the redhot Indiana Hoosiers tomorrow evening. Friday's slate begins with Purdue versus Minnesota in an elimination game. The winner of that game gets Illinois in yet another elimination game.
Tomorrow's schedule:
12:05pm - Purdue vs. Minnesota
3:35pm - Winner of PUR/MIN vs. Illinois
7:05pm - Indiana vs. Ohio State
All games on the Big Ten Network.
(Update 11:25pm) I've been informed that Minnesota will be the Boilermakers opponent in Friday's first game and Illinois will play the winner. I had the Illini in the opener against Purdue and the Gophers awaiting the winner. I've made the appropriate change.
Michael Arp drove in two for Ohio State. Johnson had three hits and three RBI for Illinois. Drew Rucinski got the win. Jake Hale picked up the save.
OSU advances in the winner's bracket. They will get a good look at the redhot Indiana Hoosiers tomorrow evening. Friday's slate begins with Purdue versus Minnesota in an elimination game. The winner of that game gets Illinois in yet another elimination game.
Tomorrow's schedule:
12:05pm - Purdue vs. Minnesota
3:35pm - Winner of PUR/MIN vs. Illinois
7:05pm - Indiana vs. Ohio State
All games on the Big Ten Network.
(Update 11:25pm) I've been informed that Minnesota will be the Boilermakers opponent in Friday's first game and Illinois will play the winner. I had the Illini in the opener against Purdue and the Gophers awaiting the winner. I've made the appropriate change.
Purdue Sends Spartans Packing; IU Dominates
In Game Three of the Big Ten Tournament, Purdue eliminated Michigan State, 12-9. Game Four saw Indiana pound Minnesota, 12-3. The Boilermakers will now face the Gophers in an elimination game on Friday. It will be a 12:05pm start.
In Purdue's win, Big Ten regular season batting leader Brandon Haveman had a four-hit, three-RBI game. MSU's Eli Boike had three hits (including a homer) and three RBI.
The Matt Bashore most of us expected to see all season showed up for Indiana in Game Four. The lefthander was dominant. Bashore worked seven shutout innings allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine Gophers. The Hoosiers Alex Dickerson had three RBI, Brian Lambert, Tyler Rogers and Jake Dunning all had three hits.
We now wait for the Illinois and Ohio State game to complete today's schedule.
In Purdue's win, Big Ten regular season batting leader Brandon Haveman had a four-hit, three-RBI game. MSU's Eli Boike had three hits (including a homer) and three RBI.
The Matt Bashore most of us expected to see all season showed up for Indiana in Game Four. The lefthander was dominant. Bashore worked seven shutout innings allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine Gophers. The Hoosiers Alex Dickerson had three RBI, Brian Lambert, Tyler Rogers and Jake Dunning all had three hits.
We now wait for the Illinois and Ohio State game to complete today's schedule.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Arnett Shines In IU Triumph
Indiana humbled Purdue in Game Two of the Big Ten Tournament, 9-1. Co-Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Eric Arnett held the Boilermakers to just four hits and a walk over seven shutout innings. The IU righty fanned ten. Michael Earley and Brian Lambert each drove in two runs for the Hoosiers. Kipp Schutz had a three-hit game. Dan Black led Purdue's counter-attack with a pair of hits.
The Boilermakers will now face Michigan State in an elimination game tomorrow. Indiana will take on Minnesota and Illinois will play Ohio State. The Hoosiers/Gophers contest will be the middle game (3:35pm) and the Illini/Buckeyes will begin around 7pm. All games are on the Big Ten Network.
The Boilermakers will now face Michigan State in an elimination game tomorrow. Indiana will take on Minnesota and Illinois will play Ohio State. The Hoosiers/Gophers contest will be the middle game (3:35pm) and the Illini/Buckeyes will begin around 7pm. All games are on the Big Ten Network.
Illini Roll Over MSU
Game One of the 2009 Big Ten Tournament is in the books. Illinois spotted Michigan State a four-run lead, but came back to crush the Spartans, 16-5. Illinois' Josh Parr and Pete Cappetta both had four-hit performances. Phil Haig went seven innings giving up four runs on four hits. MSU's Eric Roof cranked a grandslam in the loss.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Buckeye Nine Tourney Central
The Buckeye Nine clearly has tournament fever. Your friend and mine, Chris Webb of B9, has created a special Tournament Central Blog. Go check out all of Chris' work.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Ticket Day
On Saturday, tickets to the 2009 College World Series go on sale. For specific information, go to CWS Omaha.com. The 1,000 reserved seat tickets will go on sale beginning at 10am (Central Time) Saturday morning and I don't think they are going to last long. There are also general admission seating tickets going on sale. (Read all the fine print, boys and girls.)
I should also point out that tickets to the Big Ten Conference Baseball Tournament are also now on sale. These tickets are available through the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. Currently, just an all-tournament pass is available. Single game tickets will be made available at a later date. (Note: Tickets to the Ohio High School Championship are offered on the same page. Please don't get confused.)
I should also point out that tickets to the Big Ten Conference Baseball Tournament are also now on sale. These tickets are available through the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. Currently, just an all-tournament pass is available. Single game tickets will be made available at a later date. (Note: Tickets to the Ohio High School Championship are offered on the same page. Please don't get confused.)
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