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Michigan State remains the best team in Big Ten baseball, by record, at least, as they've only lost one game so far this season. Michigan is currently ranked #22 by the NCBWA, the only Big Ten team ranked in the poll (although Michigan State is in the "Others Receiving Votes" category), and Nebraska looks like they might have some things figured out as they swept Loyola Marymount last weekend.
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Of Interest this weekend:
Sparty heads to Tampa, FL to face South Florida in a series and is ranked #25 in Baseball America's poll. They're off to their best start in school history and are ranked for the first time since 1988.
#18 (Baseball America) Michigan is at #22 (BA) Oklahoma State this weekend, while Nebraska faces Wichita State in a three-games series in Lincoln. Minnesota is at Utah Valley for a three-games series, Maryland is at #27 (NCBWA) Cal State Fullerton, and Ohio State opens at home against mighty Hofstra.
Note that Boyd's ISR and kinda RPI rankings are out. Eric Sorenson of D1baseball.com notes that most of the highly ranked teams are playing pretty easy schedules, and points out Nebraska's #25 schedule as one of the tougher in the nation.
Conference play is only another weekend away for some Big Ten teams.
News!
Weekend Preview: March 18-20 | D1Baseball.com
Sure, Bakich would love to be able to play some home games early in the season. But, for a team that appears to be the class of the Big Ten Conference in the early-going this spring, a lengthy road trip could be what brings this team together and builds immaculate chemistry after a loud and somewhat expected 11-3 start.
Kendall Rogers at D1baseball.com talking about Michigan.
Huskers Continue to Grind Before Break - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
"I think compared to one year ago, right now, I think they are much more consistent," Riley said. "Passing percentages are up, interceptions are down, decision-making is better and through the group. Tommy (Armstrong Jr.) is ripening; all of that stuff I just said describes what he’s done. Ryker (Fyfe) is the same way. I think Patrick O’Brien is pretty impressive. He’s kinda fit in and knows his stuff, and operates pretty easily out there for a first-year-should-be-in-high-school guy.
Remember two years ago when Nebraska upset 2014 NCAA Final Four qualifier Wisconsin in the final weekend of the regular season? Remember the 89-year-old man who stood up for that entire game?
Five Huskers advanced to the quarterfinals and all 10 are still in contention at the NCAA Championships after Session II at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
Basketball
2016 NCAA Tournament: Purdue A Trendy Upset Pick. Again - Hammer and Rails
Once again, folks are not high on Purdue despite Matt Painter's NCAA Tournament history.
Remember this one from yesterday?
2016 NCAA Tournament: Little Rock 85, Purdue 83 Anatomy of a Collapse - Hammer and Rails
Some would call it a great comeback by Little Rock, but instead, it was an epic collapse by Purdue that, unfortunately, Purdue fans are used to.
2016 NCAA Tournament- Purdue Falls to UALR 85-83 2OT - Hammer and Rails
I'm at a loss
What We Learned: Purdue Boilermakers 83, Arkansas Little Rock Trojans 85 (2OT) - BT Powerhouse
The Boilermakers let Arkansas Little Rock back in the game and fall in double OT.
Finally Back, Yale Will Stay Awhile After an Upset of Baylor - The New York Times
The 12th-seeded Bulldogs, making their first N.C.A.A. tournament appearance since 1962, made it a memorable one, stunning No. 5-seeded Baylor.
BROOKLYN, NY LOCAL TV THINKS IOWA HOOPS REALLY WENT TO BROOKLYN, IA - Black Heart Gold Pants
Hooray for journalism!
With 5-seeds sporting two losses on the day to 12-seeds, the Indiana Hoosiers made sure the third time was a charm, boatracing Chattanooga for a 99-74 victory.
NCAA Tournament 2016: Best and worst of everything from Day 1 - SBNation.com
If you missed anything from the opening Thursday of the NCAA Tournament, we've got you covered.
Then There's This:
Mrs. John Papuchis is in the Mrs. North Carolina pageant!
Which, cowabunga, she should be!
Events And Stuff
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