USC Blanks Michigan State 7-0 in Big Ten Quarterfinals

8 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · May 22

No. 4 USC opened the Big Ten baseball quarterfinals with a 7-0 win over No. 12 Michigan State on Friday, becoming the first team into the tournament semifinals.
Michigan State had reached the single-elimination round by surviving the new play-in path, beating No. 5 Purdue 8-4 and No. 8 Iowa 4-3 in a double-elimination bracket.
The quarterfinal field also includes top-seeded UCLA, No. 2 Nebraska and No. 3 Oregon, with UCLA and Nebraska receiving direct quarterfinal berths under the revised format.
This year’s tournament uses two double-elimination brackets to fill the final quarterfinal spots before switching to single elimination for the weekend, replacing last year’s one-off pool-play system.

After upsets and weather delays, which dark horse could now win the chaotic Big Ten baseball title?

With West Coast powerhouses joining, can the Big Ten finally become a true force in college baseball?

As super-conferences grow, what is the fate of leagues like the Pac-12 and Mountain West?