March 30, 2005

The race for the 2005 Big Ten Championship begins this weekend as all 10 Conference teams will take the field to begin the eight-week League season. Minnesota will open its quest for a fourth straight title hosting Michigan, as the Gophers have claimed the last three crowns and also won the Big Ten Tournament last season. Minnesota's last three-peat occurred from 1968-70, as the program has never won four straight championships. The last Conference squad to finish atop the standings in three or more consecutive years was Ohio State, which placed first from 1991-95. The Buckeyes, who have placed second in each of the last three seasons and claimed the Tournament title in 2002 and 2003, open the 2005 slate at Illinois. Other League matchups in the opening weekend include Northwestern at Indiana, Michigan State at Iowa and Penn State at Purdue.

Big Ten Baseball

Printer-friendly format	Email this article