Nebraska
Explaining the Big Ten’s New Baseball Tournament Format
The Big Ten Conference Baseball Tournament field is set, and 12 teams are embarking to Omaha.
As they do, they are also dissecting their paths to a championship. This year, that path looks a little different.
Instead of a traditional double- or single-elimination bracket, the Big Ten Tournament begins with four pools of three teams. Those three teams play the rest of their pool, with the pool winner advancing to the semifinals. From there, the tournament plays out in a classic single-elimination fashion.
As for ties, as in if all teams go 1-1 in pool play, that goes to the highest seed. This makes it imperative for the seeds 5-12 to not drop a game and leave it up to the tiebreakers.
Different seeds have different days they are playing. Below is the schedule for each seed/team in this year’s tournament.
Based on the time that they play Thursday, the top seed (Oregon) plays its first game after five other teams have finished their pool play. The Ducks get extra rest going into the tournament but then play on four consecutive days.
Every game this week will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. The full schedule of games is below.
May 20 (Pool Play)
May 21 (Pool Play)
May 22 (Pool Play)
May 23 (Pool Play)
May 24 (Semifinals)
May 26 (Championship)
Follow along for results from the entire tournament with our upcoming Big Ten Tournament Central page.
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