Out of Leftfield....Pt I

Out of Leftfield will be a daily post on random non-sense, weird occurrences, or humorous happenings relating to the Big Ten Tournament. Hope you enjoy.

If the Big Ten Tournament was an 80s soundtrack...


Purdue Boilermakers... Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer"



The Boilermakers enter this year's tournament with a sub-.500 conference record. Only one 6th-seed in tournament history has gone on to win the tourament. Awaiting Purdue in game one is Indiana's Eric Arnett, if not the top pitcher in the conference one of the top two. Awaiting Purdue if they get by the Hoosiers? Ohio State's Alex Wimmers, the second of two elite Big Ten pitchers. Purdue's chances to win the trophy is slim at best. But hey you're in our prayers. Good luck.

Michigan State Spartans: Journey "Don't Stop Believing"



Kudos to Head Coach Jake Boss Jr. and his Spartans for advancing to their first Big Ten Tournament since 2004. Michigan State overcame improbably odds, having to nearly replace an entire line-up and rotation of departed seniors. Michigan State started the season 2-14, but kept believing in themselves, and kept their goals in focus. Sparty has an uphill battle to win the Big Ten Tournament, but as Kevin Garnett made famous "Anything's possible". Don't Stop Believing State, hold on to that feeling

Illinois Illini: David Bowie & Queen "Under Pressure"



The Illini find themselves in a predicament that they were in 4 seasons ago. After winning the 2005 Big Ten regular season championship, and winning 40 games in the process, the Illini were unable to capture the Big Ten's automatic bid, and fell short in their goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament due to an unimpressive resume. Fast forward to May 8th, 2009, the Illini fresh off of a win over nationally ranked Ohio State, by all accounts are on their way to Regionals, auto-bid or not. The Illini would go on to lose 4 of the next 5 Big Ten games and are squarely on the proverbial bubble. A solid run in the tournament and the Illini are NCAA bound, an exit before the championship game, it's dicey. The Illini are under pressure.

Part II coming later... when I'm out of class.