The Weekender: Big Ten Baseball Tournament Bracket Set, Big Ten Basketball Coaches Receive Raises After Deep Tournament Runs And A Family Affair In Ann Arbor

By 11W Staff on May 17, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Ohio State Baseball
via @OhioStateBASE/X
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BIG TEN BASEBALL TOURNAMENT BRACKET SET

The Ohio State baseball team, along with 11 other Big Ten programs, are heading to Omaha.

The Big Ten Baseball Tournament is set to kick off on May 19 and run through May 24 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, host site of the College World Series. The top 12 teams from the Big Ten qualified for the tournament, with UCLA, Nebraska, Oregon and USC owning the Top Four seeds and a double-bye.

Ohio State comes into the tournament red hot after sweeping Michigan in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1994. The Buckeyes own the No. 6 seed and will square off with No. 11-seed Washington on Tuesday at 9 p.m. on Big Ten Network. 

UNDERWOOD, MCCOLLUM RECEIVE RAISES AFTER DEEP TOURNAMENT RUNS

After a pair of deep runs by their respective teams in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Illinois’ Brad Underwood and Iowa’s Ben McCollum each earned contract extensions that would tie them to their programs for the foreseeable future. 

Underwood agreed to a six-year extension to remain with the Fighting Illini, but the deal could extend as far out as the 2035-2036 season based on his performance over the next four seasons. Illinois reached the Final Four for the first time since 2005 this season, largely thanks to Underwood’s recruiting acumen — bringing in unheralded stars such as Keaton Wagler, David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic and the Ivisic brothers, among others. 

In nine seasons with Illinois, Underwood has captured a 193-110 record and has led the Fighting Illini to six-straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. 

McCollum — whose Hawkeyes fell to Illinois in the Elite Eight this previous season — also inked a long-term deal to remain in Iowa City. 

In McCollum’s first season, the Hawkeyes went on an improbable run to the Elite Eight in 2026, headlined by a stunning upset over top-seeded Florida, and a 24-13 overall record. McCollum’s deal will keep him with the Hawkeyes until the 2031-2032 season, and includes an immediate $1 million pay raise for the 2026-2027 season. 

Prior to his time with the Hawkeyes, McCollum spent 15 years at the Division II level at Northwest Missouri State — where he won four NCAA Tournament Championships — before spending one season at Drake. 

CHARLES WOODSON JR. COMMITS TO MICHIGAN

Like father, like son. 

Michigan landed the commitment of four-star defensive back Charles Woodson Jr., the son of program legend and 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson. 

Woodson Jr. chose his father’s alma mater over several other Power Four offers, including Florida State, Texas A&M and Ole Miss, among others. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound cornerback now joins Kyle Whittingham’s first recruiting class as head coach of Michigan, which currently ranks 19th in the country according to 247 Sports.

ICYMI

SILVER SLEEVE STRIPES OFFICIALLY RETURN TO OHIO STATE’S PRIMARY UNIFORMS

For the first time since 2006, Ohio State will once again don gray sleeve stripes on its primary uniforms in 2026 and beyond.

OHIO STATE INSTALLING NEW TURF AT OHIO STADIUM FOR 2026 SEASON

Ohio Stadium’s turf is getting an upgrade, which is designed to meet the NFL’s synthetic turf requirements and improve player safety.

OHIO STATE’S “TUNNEL VISION” UNIFORM REVEAL SPARKS BIG 12 SOCIAL MEDIA WAR OVER BLACK UNIFORMS 

After Ohio State unveiled its brand-new all-black uniforms, several Big 12 schools — including Cincinnati — engaged in a war of words over which program has the best black uniforms. 

WHAT’S NEXT

  • 111 Days: Ohio State football opens season vs. Ball State
  • 153 Days: The Buckeyes face Indiana in Bloomington
  • 195 Days: The Game
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