Conference Tournament Seeding Possibilities

[coolonetoo]

With one Big Ten series left, Nebraska can finish anywhere from #1 to #5 (and perhaps #6). One important key item: If NU wins at least two games against Michigan State, it will hold every possible tiebreaker vs. Illinois, Purdue, Indiana and Michigan for the #1 seed.

Here are the worst possible seeds for Nebraska with each weekend record in East Lansing:

3-0: #2
2-1: #2
1-2: #4
0-3: #5 (Possibly #6 if there is a multi-team tie involving Iowa. I'm not going to bother researching it.)

Nebraska is in a very good spot to get one of the top two seeds. I reeeally want the #1 seed, though, because it would guarantee playing evening games (in front of bigger, pro-Nebraska crowds) all the way to Saturday by winning the first game. The best scenario, naturally, would be for Purdue to win its series against Illinois. Nebraska could then clinch it with two wins.

One last thing of note: Nebraska can eliminate Michigan State from tournament contention by winning the first two games. The Spartans might be out of it even if the first two are a split. I would be pleased if MSU has nothing to play for on Sunday.

 

[HuskersNC]

Michigan State has recently lost games in league play by scores such as 21-1, 14-0, 21-3 and today 15-12 I think they might suck at pitching.

 

[coolonetoo]

Illinois held off Purdue to stay a game ahead. Michigan and Indiana split their doubleheader so Nebraska is 1-1/2 games ahead of both of them. Here are the updated seed possibilities for the last two games in East Lansing (assuming no weather cancellations among the contenders):

2-0: #1 or #2
1-1: #1 or #2
0-2: #1, #2, or #4

Nebraska can only fall to the #4 seed if it loses the last two games to Michigan State, Purdue beats Illinois twice, and Indiana beats Michigan.

Michigan State will be eliminated tomorrow with a loss and wins by Maryland and Ohio State.

 

[coolonetoo]

Even if Maryland rallies to beat Penn State, the Terps have been eliminated from contention for the conference tourney. They are about to get swept at home to end the year. They have an RPI in the low 40s but couldn’t finish in the top 8 of the league. No regional for them.

 

[HuskersNC]

Even if Maryland rallies to beat Penn State, the Terps have been eliminated from contention for the conference tourney. They are about to get swept at home to end the year. They have an RPI in the low 40s but couldn’t finish in the top 8 of the league. No regional for them.

I'm shocked they did not rally back from a 19-5 score

 

[coolonetoo]

Ohio State and Penn State claimed the last two spots today. The field of 8 is set for Omaha. Michigan State has been eliminated and has nothing to play for tomorrow but pride. Nebraska has wrapped up no worse than the #2 seed.

 

[coolonetoo]

Here are the races other than the Nebraska/Illinois battle for the top seed:

Indiana - Locked into the #3 seed.
Michigan - #4 unless Purdue beats Illinois twice. #5 if that happens.
Iowa - #5 if Purdue wins zero or one vs. Illinois. #6 if Illinois wins two.
Purdue - #4 with two wins over Illinois. Otherwise, #6 or #7.
Ohio State - #6 with a win over Rutgers and two Purdue losses to Illinois. Otherwise, #7.
Penn State - Locked into the #8 seed.

 

[coolonetoo]

Illinois has beaten Purdue. Damn it.

Michigan has clinched the #4 seed.
Iowa has clinched the #5 seed.

All that's left to be decided tomorrow are 1/2 and 6/7.

 

[coolonetoo]

With Nebraska’s highly disappointing loss to Michigan State, Illinois has clinched the outright regular season title and the #1 seed. Ohio State’s loss to Rutgers puts the Buckeyes at #7.

10am Tuesday: Purdue vs. Indiana
2pm Tuesday: Ohio State vs. Nebraska
6pm Tuesday: Penn State vs. Illinois*
2pm Wednesday: Iowa vs. Michigan*

*Assuming Illinois opts to play Tuesday. Otherwise, swap these times.

Nebraska will play the Purdue-Indiana winner Thursday at 2pm.