May 24, 2005

Minnesota coach John Anderson
On the Tournament field:
"In my opinion there are only about three games that separate all the teams, which should make for a very competitive week of baseball."

On winning the championship the last time Illinois hosted:
"I recall from that year that we had a very competitive championship game with the University of Illinois. It was a great baseball game. Our best players made some contributions and had great games."

Ohio State coach Bob Todd
On the Tournament field:
"There are only a few games that separate the six teams. I think that speaks very well for our conference. Fifteen years ago there were maybe only a handful of universities that supported baseball and I think that's changed drastically. The quality of programs in the Big Ten is on the rise and if you look at these six teams, they all deserve to be here."

On the issue of moving back the start of the season:
"The NCAA has now gotten very concerned with student welfare. We've interviewed student athletes, and the student advisory board has done it across the country. Three quarters of the students are in favor of moving back the season."

Michigan coach Rich Maloney
On the Tournament field:
"The pool is so even, I think it's going to be a great tournament. Hopefully at the end of the tournament, Big Ten baseball will get more recognition and representation at the NCAA."

On national perception of the Big Ten:
"All of us here want to see multiple representatives for our conference. It's something we've been hoping for and pushing for. We all win when the Big Ten gets more representation. Certainly, we deserve more than one representative for our conference."

Iowa coach Jack Dahm
On his expectations for the Tournament:
"I hope we have the same environment we had this past weekend. The people of Champaign came out and it's just a great environment."

On Iowa's approach to the Tournament:
"We're excited to be in the Big Ten Tournament. We're not the favorite at all. We're a very young program trying to turn it around. I think it was the environment of keeping Illinois from winning last weekend that helped us. From our standpoint, hopefully that prepares us for how we handle emotions in that first game."

Purdue coach Doug Schreiber
On how Purdue finished the season:
"Without a doubt, the parity is very strong. We were five and seven at the halfway point and in seventh place, so to make a run and be able to be here is great."

Illinois coach Richard "Itch" Jones
On the conference's parity this season:
"I agree with every one of the other coaches. You could flip a coin and any of these teams could win."

On Illinois' season:
"I feel confident in our players. We didn't have a hot, cold, hot, cold season like other teams. We just went hot, hot, hot and then cold."

On being named Coach of the Year:
"The honor came from the fact that the team won the conference. It's always an honor being recognized by your colleagues."