Michigan sophomore Kurt Barr wears his Wolverines jersey with pride. During Michigan’s showdown against Penn State in the Big Ten Baseball Tournament on Thursday, the standout right-handed pitcher broke down his lifelong Wolverines fandom.
“I was a Michigan fan my whole life, so this is my dream school. I’m glad I ended up here,” Barr said before revealing his jersey collection from his childhood. “It might have been Tim Hardaway. Trey Burke was my favorite basketball player growing up. I watched a ton of Denard Robinson. So yeah, Michigan fan through and through.”
Barr’s dedication to the Wolverines was not limited to apparel. After Barr mentioned Burke, the Big Ten Network reporter asked him if he watched Burke’s last-second shot against Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Barr recounted the moment in vivid detail.
“I know where I was,” Barr said with a smile. “I was with my dad at a bar. Then, we went home. I probably stayed up that whole night just talking to my dad about about basketball.”
Kurt Barr is not making game-winning shots for the Wolverines, but he’s certainly boosting Michigan to victory. In Michigan’s narrow 3-2 win over Iowa on Wednesday, Barr pitched for six innings, only allowing six hits and two runs while throwing one walk.
Success is nothing new for Barr. The Michigan native boasts a team-high 85.2 innings pitched, 3.47 ERA and 54 strikeouts this season while holding opponents to a .224 batting average.
Michigan will look to continue its run in the Big Ten Tournament as it squares off against Iowa. The winner between the Wolverines and the Hawkeyes will face off against No. 1 Illinois on Friday.
2024 Big Ten Baseball Tournament bracket, schedule
All times CT
Tuesday, May 21st
Game 1: No. 3 Indiana 8, No. 6 Purdue 6
Game 2: No. 7 Ohio State 15, No. 2 Nebraska 2
Wednesday, May 22nd
Game 3: No. 8 Penn State 8, No. 1 Illinois 4
Game 4: No. 4 Michigan 3, No. 5 Iowa 2 (10 innings)
Game 5: Nebraska 6, Purdue 2
Thursday, May 23rd
Game 6: No. 1 Illinois 4, No. 5 Iowa, 2 (10 innings)
Game 7: Indiana 14, Ohio State 7
Game 8: Penn State vs. Michigan – 7 p.m. on BTN
Friday, May 24th
Game 9: Loser of Game 7 vs. Nebraska – 2 p.m. on BTN
Game 10: Loser of Game 8 vs. No. 1 Illinois – 7 p.m. on BTN
Saturday, May 25th
Game 11: Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 9 – 9 a.m. on BTN
Game 12: Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 10 – 1 p.m. on BTN
Game 13 (if necessary): Winner of Game 11 vs. Loser of Game 11 – 5 p.m. on BTN
Game 14 (if necessary): Winner of Game 12 vs. Loser of Game 12 – 9 p.m. on BTN
Sunday, May 26th
Game 16: Championship game – 2 p.m. on BTN
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