by TRAVIS CLARK
NCAA tournament spots are up for grabs as conference tournaments wind up, ending this weekend on Sunday. For some programs around the nation, a miracle run in their respective tournament is the only hope to extend the post-season any further.
One of the last big tournaments got underway in the Big Ten. Ironically enough, only seven of the eleven Big Ten schools have a men's soccer program, reducing the field and the length of the tournament. Almost all the higher seeds emerged unscathed, as No. 2 Penn State needed overtime to defeat No. 7 Michigan 1-0 and No. 4 Indiana beat No. 5 Wisconsin 2-0. The lone upset of the day was No. 3 Northwestern falling to No. 6 Michigan State by a 1-0 score.
Akron's undefeated record goes on the line today, as the two-round MAC tournament gets underway. Two wins over the weekend will bring their record to 20-0-0 overall heading into the NCAA tournament.
Most of the biggest tournaments resume today, and will conclude Sunday when a champion is crowned. The Big Ten is the only tournament to go on back-to-back days, resuming later this afternoon. ACC and Big East semifinals will take place as well. Here's a look at today's major tournament schedule:
Big East Semifinals
No. 5(B) Providence vs. No. 2(R) St. John's, 3pm
No. 2(B) Notre Dame vs. No. 1(R) Louisville, 5:30pm
ACC Semifinals
No. 1 Wake Forest vs. No. 5 Virginia, 5:30pm
No. 3 Boston College vs. No. 7 N.C. State, 8pm
Big Ten Semifinals
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Indiana, 2pm
No. 6 Michigan St. vs. No. 2 Penn State, 4:30pm
MAC Semifinals
No. 2 Hartwick vs. No. 3 Western Michigan, 3pm
No. 1 Akron vs. No. 3 Northern Illinois, 6pm
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What do you think of today's games? Who is going through to the finals and who goes home?
Share your thoughts below.
