There’s a reason people think baseball players are superstitious and quirky. Guys like Nebraska pitcher Kyle Kubat perpetuate that notion. The Nebraska southpaw put on a show, both inside and outside the lines, in the Huskers’ opening game of the Big Ten tourney Wednesday.

Baseball players don’t forget when an opponent robs them of a potential base hit. And nothing makes them happier than returning the favor. The opportunity doesn’t always present itself, but it did in the first game of the Big Ten tournament Wednesday. Three innings after Illinois’ Thomas Lindauer made a diving grab to retire Minnesota’s Connor Schaefbauer (video above), the latter got revenge in the eighth inning. Both catches were nice, but which was better?

While Round 1 of the Big Ten Helmet Bracket was all chalk, Round 2 featured a couple upsets, including this stunner: No. 4 Indiana over No. 1 Ohio State. Big Ten fans advanced the Hoosiers, in a 54%-46% decision, setting up a Leaders Division final of Indiana vs. No. 3 Penn State.

Nebraska product and longtime Minnesota baseball assistant Todd Oakes was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia nearly a year ago. But that won’t keep him from doing what he loves most: coaching baseball. Oakes, in his 15th season with the Gophers, continues to serve as Minnesota’s pitching coach. The uninformed fan wouldn’t even know about Oakes’ illness – if it weren’t for the surgical mask around his face.