IU looks to secure NCAA tourney bid

With its NCAA tournament status uncertain, there is only one formula for the No. 64 IU men’s tennis team: win.\nThe team’s ranking might turn out to be too low to earn a spot in the 64-team field. Another signature win or two is more likely to secure the Hoosiers’ tournament placing.\nVictories against No. 58 Furman, No. 61 Northwestern, No. 74 Michigan State and former No. 65 Iowa might not be enough. \nAs the regular season ends this weekend, IU does have a couple opportunities to earn big wins, with road matches against No. 17 Michigan (17-4, 7-1) and No. 41 Penn State (17-5, 5-3). \n“We have (a) pretty good chance I think,” senior David Bubenicek said. “If we put it all together, I think we can definitely beat them, even though their ranking(s) (are) pretty good.”\nOver the years, the Wolverines have dominated the Hoosiers, taking 48 of 61 matches, including the last three. And this year’s Michigan squad has the tools to pick up another win. Michigan is led by Matko Maravic and Brian Hung, top 50 singles players who form the nation’s No. 4 doubles tandem. \n“It’s definitely a match,” IU coach Ken Hydinger said. “If we win that match, that really does something for us getting into the NCAA. They’re a good team, obviously. They’re a tough team from top to bottom.”\nPenn State, meanwhile, is also dangerous, despite a two-match skid. No. 92 Michael James leads the team in singles and at doubles with Ryan Berger (No. 51). \nDespite how the matches appear on paper, the Hoosiers (14-9, 4-4) do have a legitimate shot both Saturday and Sunday. Echoing what he said earlier the season, Hydinger said no matches are guaranteed in the Big Ten.\n“It’s the Big Ten. It’s going to be a war,” Hydinger said. “We beat Michigan State. Michigan State beat Penn State. Penn State beat Michigan. I mean, if you’re not ready to play, anybody can beat anybody on any day. It’s like that movie ‘Any Given Sunday.’”\nBubenicek and fellow senior Arnaud Roussel will be playing the final regular-season matches of their careers this weekend. Bubenicek is 15-8 on the season, while Roussel is 16-5. They will be playing No. 2 and No. 4, while juniors Thomas Richter and Dara McLoughlin will be at No. 1 and No. 3, and sophomores Peter Antons and Mak Kendall will likely round things out at No. 5 and No. 6. Still nursing his shoulder, junior Mike McCarthy said he does not expect to play, having already missed 11 straight matches.\n“It’s not fun sitting out, not being able to do anything,” McCarthy said. “When you’re used to playing, that’s kind of what happens.”\nEven without McCarthy, who is 9-3 on the year in singles, the Hoosiers have posted a solid 4-4 conference record, which has them tied with Minnesota in fifth place. With several teams sitting clumped in the middle of the pack, this weekend’s matches are not only important for NCAA purposes, but also for the Big Ten.\n“It’s important where we finish in the Big Ten,” Hydinger said. “We’re playing for Big Ten positions.”