I had all kinds of good intentions to write this for you on Saturday! Instead, I went to the ER. I will be fine, but it has not been the ideal way to end the semester. Thankfully, I’ve had some quality volleyball to soothe the travails.
Overall, the Big Ten acquitted itself well in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament – unless you happened to be a Big Ten team from the state of California (we’ll get to that in a minute.) Before I run down the results by team, here’s a link to the entire bracket
if you’re interested.
#1-seed Nebraska
The #1-overall seed had a relatively uneventful weekend, sweeping Long Island University in the first round (25-11, 25-15, 25-17), and Kansas State (25-17, 25-21, 25-16) in the second. I was lucky enough to go to both games (on Saturday, the paramedics asked if they could have my tickets if I wasn’t recovered enough to go – that’s how you know you live in a volleyball state!) and while the outcome was never seriously in doubt in either game, I have seen the Huskers play better ball this season. The LIU match, in particular, was a bit shaky, particularly serving – the Huskers had ten service errors.
“Shaky” however, is a relative term, and I’m being extremely nitpicky. The Huskers otherwise played cleanly, and the defense locked down LIU. Kansas State was spry, but simply no match for the Huskers.
#3-seed Purdue
Big Ten Cinderella contender had a solid opening weekend, sweeping Wright State (25-13, 25-21, 25-19) and taking out #6-seed Baylor in four. The Boilermakers came out big and whupped the Bears in the first two sets 25-16 and 25-19. But Baylor took the third 25-23. It was all Purdue would give them though, as the Boilers won the fourth 25-20 to punch their ticket to the next round.
#3-seed Wisconsin
Like Nebraska, the Badgers kept things drama-free in the opening weekend of the tournament, posting a pair of sweeps over Eastern Illinois (25-11, 25-6, 25-19) and North Carolina (25-14, 25-21, 27-25). After a rough start to the season due to some key injuries, the Badgers are healed and rounding into form at just the right time.
#4-seed Minnesota
Continuing the sweep party, it was Minnesota who took out Fairfield (25-12, 25-7, 25-13), and then, impressively, #5-seed Iowa State. The Gophers knocked out the Cyclones 25-22, 25-21, 25-14. Minnesota may be one of the more surprising stories this year, given the challenges that they faced. Early on, they lost four starters to season-ending injuries— the kind of setback that would scuttle a season for many teams. Instead, Minnesota is off to the first Sweet Sixteen since 2022 (that surprised me— Hugh McCutcheon has been gone longer than I’d remembered.)
#4-seed USC
I mentioned earlier that the California teams had a tough weekend, and here we get to it. After a workwomanlike performance against Princeton (25-19, 25-12, 25-13), the Trojans encountered a Cal Poly team that so far, is taking the hard route through the tournament. Unseeded Cal Poly knocked off #5-seed BYU in the first round, and apparently were not tired from that effort. They stunned USC by taking the first two sets 25-19 and 25-20. USC stormed back, snatching the next two 20-25 and 14-25. But it was Cal Poly who had the last laugh with a decisive fifth set victory of 15-7, ending USC’s season earlier than anticipated.
#4-seed Indiana
While Indiana football got all the attention this weekend, Indiana volleyball was making some waves of its own. Since Nebraska has joined the conference and Indiana volleyball has been on my radar, they’ve barely been a blip – habitually in the bottom of the conference. But it appears that’s changing. After putting together a really solid season, the Hoosiers made it back to the tournament for the first time since 2010. (If you’d like to feel old, the freshmen on these teams were about three or four in those days.) Indiana made quick work of their first opponent, Toledo, winning 25-18, 25-15, 25-17. The second round was equally successful, when the Hoosiers swept Colorado (25-20, 25-17, 25-23). From also-ran in the Big Ten to the Sweet Sixteen – everything is coming up Hoosiers.
#8-seed UCLA
Our other California team! UCLA had a tough opening round, and it took them five sets to knock off Georgia Tech in a back-and-forth affair (24-26, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 15-10). From that difficult match to an even more difficult one – the Bruins’ draw did them no favors, as their second-round opponent was #1-seed Kentucky. UCLA put up an epic fight— two of the four sets reached 30 points— and took set three from the Wildcats, but ultimately couldn’t overcome Kentucky’s firepower. (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
#8-seed Penn State
Defending National Champs PSU had a disappointing and challenging year, beset by unexpected departures and some injuries. This relative letdown carried over into the tournament. While the Nittany Lions defeated South Florida in straight sets (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19) for what was their seventh straight post-season win, the next round was a bit more difficult: Texas. Penn State was swept (25-16, 25-9, 25-19), not helped by a gruesome second set, and ended their season much earlier than hoped.
Unseeded Michigan
Michigan advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in third-year coach Erin Virtue’s tenure, and won their first-round match against Xavier in a sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-23). But the next round, against #1-seed Pitt, did not go as well. Although they were competitive, the Wolverines ended their season getting swept by the Panthers, 25-23, 25-23, 25-18.
What’s Next? The Third Round of the NCAA Tournament
Can I be really excited for a second? In recent years, it was genuinely difficult to watch the NCAA tournament. Some of it was on ESPN+, but even that was not assured. Few, if any, other games were televised, and only the final had a chance of being on ESPN2 or something. NOT ANYMORE! This weekend and next weekend, every game can be seen on basic cable or network television, and it is freaking awesome. Check it out (Times EST):
Previews
#1 Nebraska vs. #4 Kansas
Nebraska continues its fight against the state of Kansas after knocking off Kansas State last weekend. I thought KU looked good when I saw them in the pre-season tournament in Lincoln, and I’m especially interested to see how the Huskers handle 6’7”(!!!) Jovana Zelenovic’s blocking.
#3 Purdue vs. #2 SMU
This should be a good one. I honestly have no idea who to pick.
#3 Wisconsin vs. #2 Stanford
Classic volleyball powers. I like how Wisconsin is playing right now, and I’m taking the Badgers in this one. It’s Sheffield Time.
#4 Minnesota vs. #1 Pitt
Ooof, this is a tough draw. Pitt is playing really well, and I’m not sure Minny has the horses to keep up.
#4 Indiana vs. #1 Texas
Well, it goes without saying that I’m pulling hard for Indiana, doesn’t it? GO HOOSIERS. Texas is super solid this year, and should win, but they’ve proven themselves defeatable this year, and Indiana has a puncher’s chance. We’re pulling for you, Indiana!
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Pull up a chair, enjoy the improved television access, and check out some great volleyball this weekend! There are some awesome match ups on tap. The Big Ten is facing an uphill climb this weekend, but has a few chances to get teams through. Regardless, there will be some excellent volleyball along the way!
