Dec. 14, 2007

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - With the first pitch of the 2008 collegiate baseball season less than 70 days away, the previews of the Big Ten Conference diamond race have begun - with Rivals.com taking the first look into the crystal ball.

It should be no surprise to the casual Big Ten fan that the Michigan Wolverines are picked to win the conference in 2008. The Wolverines have won the last two regular-season titles and return a strong group from the 2007 team that reached the NCAA Super Regionals.

After Michigan, Rivals.com is calling for a wide-open race with the Boilermakers being touted as a surprise team that could make a run towards the conference tournament.

Two Boilermakers were named to the Rivals.com Preseason All-Big Ten Team: junior first baseman Ryne White and sophomore pitcher Matt Bischoff. Once again, no surprises here. White was the first team all-conference first baseman last season after winning the Big Ten batting title, and Bischoff was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2007.

Perhaps the friendliest of predictions, although not news to the Purdue faithful, was Rivals.com naming White the "Best Hitter" in the Big Ten Conference. Winning the conference batting crown by 40 points the previous season with a .452 average (third best in the NCAA) would lend itself to the "best hitter" claim.

For the full preview, check out Rivals.com.

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Purdue Boilermakers