Maryland, Michigan Aiming For Rare Big Ten College World Series Berth

However, with a win in their only game this week against Minnesota, the NIT is still a real possibility.

The Wisconsin men’s hockey team takes on yet another tough Big Ten opponent this weekend as the No. 6 Michigan Wolverines make the trip to Madison. Iowa, Indiana and MI have come as a little bit of a surprise this season. It won’t get any easier after, as IU gets to face Tom Izzo and Michigan State on Sunday in East Lansing. The absence of Deshawn Freeman is clearly hampering the Scarlet Knights, but true freshman Corey Sanders is an absolute stud. There’s a bright future ahead for Sanders in the Big Ten, but for Eddie Jordan, not so much.

The Spartans now have two wins in their last four games, and have stopped a couple of good offenses in MI and Ohio State. Minnesota lost by 5 to the Wolverines in January in Ann Arbor. The only now ranked team Maryland has left to play is Purdue again, who they just beat by 11.

With five wins in a row, Wisconsin is the hottest team in the Big Ten that no one seems to be talking about. MI allowed 41 points in 34 transition opportunities during its two home losses – that’s 1.21 points per possession in 17 possessions per game, far worse than its season averages of 9 possessions per game and 1 point per possession. Nebraska, which made three College World Series appearances in the early 2000s as a member of the Big 12, hasn’t been able to find that kind of success in the Big Ten.

According to the efficiency numbers, Nebraska is right in line with MI, but it still sits two games back in the loss column.

Kudos to Pat Chambers and the Nittany Lions for keeping their heads down and finally coming up with a big win.

Benedetti, a lefty pitcher/utility player, led the Wolverines and the Big Ten in doubles (25) and runs batted in (71) last season, earning selections to the All-Big Ten first team and the All-NCAA Louisville Regional team. IL picked up its third conference win on Wednesday with a triple overtime triumph over Rutgers.

Detry has been on the watch list for three consecutive seasons.

“Last year being the first time we beat Minnesota it was obviously pretty special”.