When you run a blog, specifically a college blog, late May until late July is generally the dead zone. Almost all sports are done, and college football doesn't begin in earnest until late July with media days. I am planning a follow-up on the mascot battle Royale, but it needs some time to sit and generate new ideas. That's why posts like this are fun. They generate discussion and find new readers.

The purpose of this post is very simple: To decide the best 12-man roster and coach possible if you pick from all eras of Purdue basketball. It is one that you would think would be easy, but with multiple All-Americans and fan favorites there is sure to be active discussion. Think of my list as a jumping off point.

So, without further preamble, let's start:

Coach: John Wooden - Yes, he never coached the Boilermakers, but the greatest coach in college history played here. His game may not hold up under the modern era, but we need a leader. You're damn right I am claiming a guy that can go into Bloomington and say, "Five banners? That's cute. Where's the rest?"

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Your Purdue Boilermakers have been selected as a regional host for the first time in the history of our baseball program, and because of construction issues we'll be playing at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary. It's not quite West Lafayette, but we're at least close to home. Before I preview the other three teams, here are some quick, but important hits.

• People have been curious about the fallout from the brawl in the Big Ten tournament with Indiana. Well, second baseman Eric Charles will be suspended for the Valparaiso game, as the conference announced a one-game suspension for him and Indiana's Casey Smith. Both have been reprimanded by the conference as well.
• Tickets are now on sale for the regional via the Railcats website. Separate tickets will need to be purchased for each game as opposed to one ticket getting you in to both games on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Tickets are $8 for Adults and $4 for students with ID. I believe student tickets much be purchased at the gate. Let's turn this Black and Gold.
• If you're in Chicago, South Bend, or anywhere in between you can take the Southshore rail right to the ballpark. Gary Metro Center Station is right next door. Here is schedule and ticketing info for that.
• ESPN3 will broadcast at least the Friday and Saturday games online, with them likely coming on Sunday as well. Big Ten Network may pick up the broadcast as well, but nothing is definite yet.
• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will have a 3pm and 7pm first pitch local time (4pm and 8pm Lafayette time). Purdue will play in each 7pm game as long as it keeps winning, and will play ay 3pm Saturday if it loses Friday and 3pm Sunday if it loses Saturday.

Now, onto the Previews:

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For the first time in 25 years we're talking about June baseball with Purdue, and the Season of Firsts can continue Friday night with a win over Valparaiso. that would be Purdue's first ever NCAA Tournament win, as the 1987 team went 0-2 in our only previous appearance. I'll have more on the other three teams int he field later today in a full preview, but here are some links to start the day:

NCAA DIV I POLL - Current - Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Purdue moves up to No. 16 here.

NCBWA > News > Top 30 Poll
Only a one spot jump to No. 14 this week here.

BaseballAmerica.com: College: Top 25 Rankings: College Top 25: May 28
Purdue is No. 15 in the final baseball America rankings.

D1Baseball.com, Your College Baseball Headquarters
Your home for every bit of scheduling info you need for baseball.

USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 coaches' baseball poll – USATODAY.com
Purdue finishes No. 14 int he final Coaches poll.

Would Hugh Hefner Be Proud of these NCAA Selections? " College Baseball Today
Kent State over Kentucky is an upset watch game in our regional.

Photo Gallery
New Alexander Field pictures, as Purdue was able to practice there for the first time Monday.

Boilers Hold First Practice at Alexander Field
On the same day in which it learned who its opposition would be at the NCAA Regional in Gary, Purdue baseball also held its first official team practice at its new stadium, Alexander Field, Monday.

Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America College Blog | Analysis: NCAA Field of 64
The 2011 NCAA Tournament field of 64 is set, and on the whole, the committee did a solid job, including 63 of the 64 teams from our final project

Road to Omaha set | Perfect Game USA
Here is your full college baseball bracket for this year.

Breaking down the NCAA tournament baseball bracket - ESPN
Jeremy Mills breaks down the NCAA tournament bracket, including the winners, losers and best matchups. Best of all, he says the Boilers should make reservations for Omaha.

AL HAMNIK: Local hero E'Twaun Moore hasn't forgotten 'the kids" : The Times of Northwest Indiana
E'Twaun is giving back to East Chicago because he is awesome.

2012 Opponent Preview: Purdue | mgoblog
For each week until the season starts, I will preview one of Michigan's opponents beginning with B1G teams. I'm saving non-conference for last when they will be much more relevant; B1G previews will have the same amount of handwaving now as they will have in August. Purdue Holy crap Quarterbacks.

Our baseball Boilers now know their full path to Omaha. We did not get a National Seed, but we were given a more favorable path to Omaha by avoiding the No. 1 National Seed in Florida and the No. 2 National Seed UCLA. It also means we're not paired with them once we would get to Omaha in the first game, as we were not paired with No. 7 National Seed LSU or No. 8 National Seed South Carolina. It means we don't have to play one of the top two National teams until the last possible moment.

Purdue, of course, is hosting in Gary for the Regional round. If they reach the Super Regionals they will be paired with the No. 5 National Seed Oregon. Indiana State, Austin Peay, and Cal State Fullerton are also in that regional. Purdue is the No. 1 Seed in Gary and will open Friday night against Valparaiso. Kentucky and Kent State are the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in our regional.

Kentucky was the common snub as a regional host, so we got a bit of a rough pairing there, but at least we did not get screwed by being named the No. 2 seed as a regional host, which is a major insult.

If we get all the way to Omaha we would open against the Baylor-Rice Super Regional winner, but that is far off.

All told, it is a great draw. if we play anyone other than Oregon in a Super Regional we will host again (likely in South Bend this time). Now its time to go win.

UPDATE: The Schedule is as follows (all times Central Time in Gary. Add one hour for local Lafayette time)

Friday

Game 1: Kentucky vs. Kent State 3pm

Game 2: Purdue vs. Valparaiso 7pm

Saturday:

Game 3: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser 3pm

Game 4: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner 7pm

Sunday:

Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser 3pm

Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner 7pm

Monday:

Game 7: Game 6 rematch if Game 5 winner wins (if necessary) 7pm

In a little more than 13 hours the NCAA baseball tournament field will be announced. Mark Etheredge of Southeast baseball, one of the leading college baseball writers out there, has good news for the Michigan St. Spartans. In his final projection of the season before the field is revealed he has the Spartans in... barely:

Palo Alto Regional
Host: Stanford
1. Stanford 37-16 #16 (P12 at large)
4. Fresno State 29-26 #88 (WAC Automatic)

2. Cal State Fullerton 34-19 #20 (BWC Automatic)
3. Michigan State 37-21 #45 (B10 at large)

On his Twitter feed he even stipulates that the Spartans are one of the final teams in, but not THE final team:

Mark Etheridge ‏@sebaseball

Last teams in: from 64-59 are East Carolina, Texas, Indiana State, Sam Houston State, Michigan State

Either way, it looks to be a long night for Michigan State baseball, but they have already waited 33 years since their last NCAA Tournament appearance. What is one more night?

The Seattle Storm came to the Target Center winless on Sunday in WNBA play, and the homestanding Lynx were undefeated. Those states ares till true after Minnesota cruised to a relatively easy 84-71 win. Maya Moore led the way with 19 points for the Lynx while Seimone Augustus

The Lynx only trailed once at 5-4 in the very early going, but built a comfortable 17-9 lead after one. The Lynx then led 37-24 at the half and had increased their lead to 68-50 after three quarters before cruising for more of the fourth quarter. The Storm could not mount a comeback thanks to only 35% shooting from the field.

Minnesota shot better than 44% and was scorching hot from three-point range. The Lynx hit on 8 of 12 shots from long range to set the tone that they would be in control throughout. Minnesota also owned a 32-21 rebounding edge on the night.

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The Michigan St. Spartans have a long wait until noon on Monday when the NCAA unveils the 2012 baseball tournament field. The Spartans have a strong RPI of 45 for a northern team and have impressive wins over Baylor and Purdue, who will both host NCAA regionals, but a fifth place regular season finish in the Big Ten has put the Spartans' hopes in doubt.

Michigan State has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 1979, and after coming close last year a series of close losses, including an extra inning loss to Indiana yesterday, Michigan State cannot feel safe. Perfect Game is very skeptical of the Spartans' position:

Michigan State -- The Spartans are one of those extremely tough teams to figure out come Selection Monday. MSU played a decent non-conference schedule and racked up 37 wins with an RPI of 45. However, it went just 2-2 at the Big Ten tournament and is 5-5 in its last 10 games. The Spartans are one of those northern teams that could easily get into the field, but it's always tough to gauge exactly what the committee is thinking.

Baseball America doesn't think the Spartans will measure up:

The picture is similar in the Big Ten, as top-seeded Purdue advanced to the title round with a 3-0 win against Indiana. The Indiana-Michigan State winner Saturday must beat the Boilermakers twice to capture the automatic bid and make the Big Ten a two-bid league. That's a tall order. Assuming the Boilermakers win the tournament, the Big Ten will likely be a one-bid league, as Michigan State's fifth-place finish in the regular season torpedoes its case, despite a bubble-caliber RPI (No. 43).

The final answer will come Monday at noon on ESPNU

Now that the new Minnesota Vikings' Stadium has approved financing, it has to be built. that task will fall to a soon-to-be-appointed will be tasked with completing the near $1 billion project on time and on budget. This committee is expected to be named shortly according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

Five appointed members will make up the new Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, holding sway over the massive public investment at the downtown Minneapolis site of the Metrodome. Gov. Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak have until mid-June to name the members, in a decision Dayton described last week as "the first and very important responsibility" in turning the stadium deal into a 65,000-seat reality.

The group has the unenviable task of sticking to the budget that can have any number of overruns. For example, a snag on environmental sustainability with Target Field led to an unexpected overrun of #3-4 million.

For more on the Minnesota stadium situation, stay with SB Nation Minnesota's StoryStream. For more on the Vikings, head over to Daily Norseman. And for full NFL coverage, be sure to check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

There was a little bit of doubt after the Boilers dropped the Iowa series, but after winning the Big Ten Tournament with an undefeated record the baseball Boilers added another distinction to this record breaking season. Purdue will play in only its second ever NCAA Tournament, and will host a regional. Because of the construction issues with Alexander Field it will not be on campus, but the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, home of the Southshore Railcats, will serve as the venue for the four team regional next weekend.

Purdue is one of two schools hosting for the first time, joining Oregon (which only recently renewed its program) as a first time host. Had Alexander Field been finished it would have been more than adequate a facility, thus it would have been on campus. Credit should be given to the athletic department for still being able to put this together as a reward for a great season.

Here are the 16 regional hosts, and each team is in the tournament now, so one fourth of the field is revealed. Each team is also very likely a No. 1 seed in their four team regional:

Baton Rouge, La. — LSU (43-16)
Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina (44-14)
Charlottesville, Va. — Virginia (38-17)
College Station, Texas — Texas A&M (42-16)
Columbia, S.C. — South Carolina (40-17)
Coral Gables, Fla. — Miami (Fla.) (36-20)
Eugene, Ore. — Oregon (42-16)
Gainesville, Fla. – Florida (42-18)
Gary, Ind. — Purdue (44-12)
Houston, Texas — Rice (40-17)
Los Angeles, Calif. — UCLA (41-14)
Palo Alto, Calif. — Stanford (37-16)
Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina State (39-17)
Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida State (43-15)
Tucson, Ariz. — Arizona (37-17)
Waco, Texas — Baylor (44-14)

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You like watching videos, don't you? You're already reading SB Nation so we know you like sports. Do you like winning free stuff like iPads and Xboxes? Sure you do! Everybody does. Now that we've established these otherwise obvious facts, let's put them to work for you!

Over the next few months, we're giving away a few iPads and an Xbox prize package to randomly selected subscribers to the SB Nation YouTube channel. So how do you get your hands on some of that swag? Simple!

Step 1: Subscribe to the SB Nation YouTube channel.

Step 2: Email your YouTube username to contests@sbnation.com

That's it! Once we reach 15,000, 25,000, and 50,000 subscribers we'll throw all of your names into a (virtual) hat and pick some winners. Here's how the prize drawings shake out:

When we reach 15,000 subscribers: One lucky winner will get an iPad 2.

When we reach 25,000 subscribers: Two lucky winners will get an iPad 2.

When we reach 50,000 subscribers: One lucky winner will get an Xbox 360 and a package of games.

So quit loafing! Subscribe to the SB Nation YouTube channel, enjoy some of the best original sports video content available anywhere, and, with a little luck, win some sweet prizes!

Read the Official Rules here. Sweepstakes ends August 1, 2012.

In the meantime, here is a new video from H&R, as I sat down with BoilerPaulie to talk about the new Boilermaker Special VII

Purdue won the 2012 Big Ten Baseball Tournament, but the late fight tonight could be costly. The video shows that All-Big Ten second baseman Eric Charles possibly threw a punch. In fact, he most definitely threw a punch. He was rightfully ejected, and that means he could be suspended for part of the NCAA Tournament.

See for yourself (thanks to Riley for getting the video already):

If Charles has to sit, hopefully it is for a game. It is almost certain that Purdue will host an NCAA regional and be a No. 1 seed, meaning we should have as easy of a game as possible against a No. 4 seed in the first round. We'll possibly play the Valparaiso- Illinois Chicago winner int he Horizon League Tourney tomorrow, and we've already pounded Illinois-Chicago twice. That's the type of opponent we want if Charles misses a game.

That's all forthcoming, however. in the meantime, we're Big Ten champs, Big Ten Tourney champs, and we're officially in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years.

It's time for a championship. Purdue baseball has already taken the regular season title, but we can take the tournament title tonight. as I write this, our opponent in is extra innings in the heat of Columbus while our Boilers are relaxing in the cool air conditioning of the clubhouse.

Robert Ramer, the usual weekday starter, will get the start tonight instead of Connor Podkul, the usual No. 3 starter. Ramer is a redshirt junior that has represented everything that makes this program cool. He has been the unsung weekday guy as Purdue did not drop a midweek game all year long. He owns a 13-0 career record and 6-0 record this season, so I am comfortable with the redshirt junior on the mound.

So let's sit back, relax, and enjoy the air conditioning of watching indoors on Big Ten Network. There is a championship that needs to be won tonight, and it looks like the Hoosiers will give it to us.

Memorial Day weekend is here officially, and that means another three games in Columbus. Tonight's marquee game is between Indiana and Purdue. The Big Ten made sure we did not play during the regular season and I have no idea why the schools didn't arrange an out of conference meeting in Indianapolis. Those happen all the time across college baseball, but ah well.

As usual, all three games today are being broadcast by Big Ten Network, and two more teams will be eliminated by the end of the day. Nebraska and Ohio State are facing off in the first game, with the winner being forced to come right back and play Michigan State for the right to play tomorrow against tonight's loser.

Friday schedule (all games televised on Big Ten Network):

Noon: No. 4 Nebraska (35-22) vs. No. 6 Ohio State (32-26) (elimination game)

3:30pm: No. 5 Michigan State (36-20) vs. Previous game winner (elimination game)

7pm: No. 2 Indiana (31-26) vs. No. 1 Purdue (42-12)

Today marks 99 days to the kickoff of the 2012 Purdue football season. I have received multiple e-mails asking if I am doing the player countdown again this year, and the answer is yes for a few reasons:

1. It is easy content during the slow months of June and July.

2. It gives me a chance to get The Kids integrated into the site.

This year I am handing this off to Myles and Steve, the two new interns at the site, so expect the first entry on Ryan Russell to be up later today. Also, there will be another open thread up for baseball tonight as we take on the Hoosiers in the Big Ten Tournament. Kevin Plawecki was huge last night with 3 RBI, including a two-run homer in the 7th that Purdue desperately needed.

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Purdue makes its debut at the 2012 Big Ten baseball tournament today, but it is the last game of three today. That means we could see some delays if the earlier games go long. Based on yesterday's results, we get Ohio State. Here is the full day schedule:

Full Thursday schedule (all games televised on Big Ten Network):

Noon: No. 4 Nebraska (33-22) vs. No. 3 Penn State (29-26) - (Elimination game)

3:30pm: No. 5 Michigan State (36-19) vs. No. 2 Indiana (30-26)

7:05pm No. 6 Ohio State (32-25) vs. No. 1 Purdue (41-12)

Since we're playing the No. 6 seed we likely need a win today to keep pace in the hosting discussion. We're going with Joe Haase, while Ohio State is throwing John Kuchno, who got the win in three innings of relief in Ohio State's win over Purdue on March 25. He did give up three runs in three innings, however.

So use this as today's Open thread, and of course it will be active during Purdue's game. The Boilers should be on TV for the rest of the season now, so be prepared for Open Threads.

I am a little late on this, but the Big Ten Tournament is already underway in Columbus with Michigan State putting a hurt on Nebraska in game one. Purdue could possibly play the winner, depending on the result of Ohio State-Penn State later on. If Ohio State wins, we get the Buckeyes. If Penn State wins, we get the Nebraska-Michigan State winner. Our first game is at roughly 7pm tomorrow night, and all game are televised live on BTN.

If you have the luxury of being around a computer today and a TV, feel free to use this as an open thread. In the meantime, here is what is at stake for all six teams in descending seed order:

1. Purdue (41-12) - Our Boilermakers are in the NCAA Tournament regardless and some people have said we will host even as a No. 2 seed. We don't want that, however. A win or two likely gets us safely on the happy side of hosting and a No. 1 seed in our regional. Indiana State is commonly projected as our No. 3 seed, but that is up in the air after the Sycamores crashed out of the MVC tourney in two games. Our No. 4 seed (and thus our first game) is projected to be the Horizon League winner. Valparaiso is the regular season champ. The MAC champ (likely a dangerous Kent State team) has also been mentioned. Our No. 2 seed is a toss-up. I have seen Oregon State, Miami, and Mississippi State thrown around. All three are very inconsistent teams capable of dominating us or crapping the bed and getting blown out (especially Miami).

We definitely want to win at least one game to assure we still host. Two is probably more than enough to still be a No. 1 seed in our regional. If we win the tourney, we're definitely hosting, but there is very little chance at a National seed. Hopefully we would avoid being opposite the No. 1 national seed. To get a national seed we would have to win all three games by large margins and hope for complete chaos elsewhere.

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I can't let the lights issue go, so I just want to make one point before getting into some links. Here are the BCS programs in each conference that have permanent lights at their stadium. As you can see, Purdue is well behind the rest of college football in this, an issue that regardless of you agree with Burke or not, is troubling. In college football if you're not improving, you're dying.

I'm not asking for seven 8pm kickoffs, either. This does allow for flexibility for those 3:30 mid-afternoon kickoffs, which at least meet Burke's approval according to the Michigan game this year.

Big Ten (7)

Indiana, Illinois, Penn State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota

ACC (11)

Miami*, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest.

Big East (14)

Syracuse (Dome), Pittsburgh*, South Florida*, Louisville, Boise State, Temple*, San Diego State*, Navy, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Rutgers, Central Florida, Houston, SMU

SEC (14)

Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas (has two stadiums, technically), Auburn, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas A&M

Big 12 (10)

Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, West Virginia, TCU, Texas Tech

Pac 12 (11)

Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, USC, UCLA, Utah, Washington* (2012 season only), Washington State

* = shares stadium with NFL team

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This is getting ridiculous. Once again, Morgan Burke continues to be completely in the dark (pun intended) when it comes to having permanent lights at Ross-Ade Stadium. As we can see with today's first note:

Burke talks lights, night games | JCOnline Blogs
This deserves a breakdown...

Purdue will be the only conference school not to host a true night football game in 2012. Well, sort of.

The Oct. 6 matchup between the Boilermakers and Michigan starts at 4 p.m., and portable lights will have to brought in to Ross-Ade Stadium since the game won’t end until around 7:30.

"I probably could’ve had a night game with Michigan but I lobbied them for late afternoon so it wouldn’t be late for our people to get home," Burke said.

So late for our people to get home. Like it was late last year when we played Notre Dame, or late for the 14,000+ people that come to a MIDWEEK basketball game that can start at 9pm with the chance of bad weather? Ironically, this is the one game I WANTED a noon kickoff since Miami is playing Notre Dame in Chicago that night and Mrs. T-Mill and I were planning the double. Now we can't. Thanks, Morgan!

Anyway, it is a SATURDAY NIGHT!!!! Most alums don't have to work the next morning and no kids have school. It's the best time to have a night game.

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This morning the Big Ten Conference released the 2015 and 2016 conference football schedules, thus completing most of our schedule for the next four years. As expected, Northwestern will make a return after a four year absence, and we knew six of the other games thanks to OMHR and our own division. the only mystery was who would be the eighth team. Well, we caught a massive break. Instead of Nebraska, Michigan, or Michigan State we get Minnesota!

Here is the schedule for 2015:

Sept. 5 - at Marshall
Sept. 12 - INDIANA STATE
Sept. 19 - NOTRE DAME
Sept. 26 - BOWLING GREEN
Oct. 3 - OHIO STATE
Oct. 17 - IOWA
Oct. 24 - at Penn State
Oct. 31 - at Northwestern
Nov. 7 - MINNESOTA
Nov. 14 - at Wisconsin
Nov. 21 - ILLINOIS
Nov. 28 - at Indiana

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Let's kick the week off right with some Boilermakings Links:

Purdue football Beckford, Ross back on scholarship | Journal and Courier | jconline.com
Receiver O.J. Ross and linebacker Dwayne Beckford are back on scholarship and are expected to be part of Purdue's football team during the 2012 season, coach Danny Hope said Friday.

B1G 2012 // Iowa Cocktail Party Preview - Off Tackle Empire
OMHR!!!!!!!!

Big Ten post-spring power rankings - Big Ten Blog - ESPN
The book is closed on spring football in the Big Ten, but what did the chapters reveal?

BaseballAmerica.com: Draft: Early Draft Preview: 2012 Draft: Top 100 Prospects
Kevin Plawecki is rated as the No. 67 prospect nationally according to Baseball America.

BaseballAmerica.com: Draft: Early Draft Preview: 2012 Draft: Prospects No. 101-200
Cameron Perkins is rated the No. 145 prospect according to Baseball America

Tracking the conference tourneys | Perfect Game USA
Here is Perfect Game's look at the various conference tournaments. Other than the Big Ten, we're interested in the MVC (for RPI purposes), Horizon and MAC (possible first round preview), SEC (Auburn for RPI purposes), and Conference USA (East Carolina and Southern Miss RPI-wise)

Boilermakers Finish in Tenth Place at NCAA Ann Arbor Regional
The Purdue men's golf team failed to make the cut to advance on to nationals.

Pac-12 football series taking shape | JCOnline Blogs
It looks as if the Colorado Buffaloes are on the Purdue schedule in 2016 and 2017.

Plawecki Among 35 Semifinalists Nationally For Dick Howser Trophy
Already a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award, Purdue baseball's Kevin Plawecki has also been selected the among the 35 semifinalists nationally for the Dick Howser Trophy, an award given to the top player in college baseball.

College Football Relegation In Action: 2006 - SBNation.com
Let's take a look at how relegation would actually work in college football, with years of simulations ready to go.

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The Minnesota Twins saw their modest four-game winning streak end in emphatic fashion on Sunday at Milwaukee, as the Brewers avoided a sweep at Miller Park in a 16-3 win. The Twins' pitching staff gave up 17 hits and the Brewers scored 16 unanswered runs after Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Milwaukee had a six run second inning, spurred by a two-run double by Ryan Braun. Jonathan Lucroy and Corey Hart also had solo homers early on for Milwaukee. Lucroy also added a grand slam in the seventh inning to go 3 for 5 on the day with seven RBI.

Joe Mauer still had a solid 4 for 5 day at the plate for the Twins, but Jason Marquis only made it through five out before he was tagged with eight earned runs.

For more on the Minnesota Twins, check out Twinkie Town. You can also head over to SB Nation’s main MLB hub at Baseball Nation.

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In a rematch of the 1997 World Series, the Miami Marlins once again bested the Cleveland Indians, this time taking two of three games in an interleague series at Cleveland. The Indians shut the Marlins out on Saturday, but Josh Johnson went seven innings and gave up just a single earned run in a 5-3 victory on Sunday.

Miami got three runs in the top of the eighth to take a 5-1 lead before Cleveland added a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth. Logan Morrison had an RBI double in the inning and scored on fielder's choice later in the inning.

Jose Lopez had an RBI double in the ninth, but Heath Bell earned his fifth save of the season by getting the final two outs with the tying run at the plate.

For more on the Cleveland Indians, check out Let’s Go Tribe. You can also head over to SB Nation’s main MLB hub at Baseball Nation.