The postseason is where friends become foes. For one month or so, the pursuit of winning will push relationships aside.

San Diego State player Miles Byass provided an insightful commentary on the subject last week. But this week, it’s more relevant then ever.

As men’s soccer makes its push toward the NCAA Tournament, familiar competitors will cross paths and lock horns in some intriguing matchups.

But the center of potentially awkward reunions is undoubtedly the Big Ten Conference.

A major subplot to the conference tournament, that begins today, is the presence of former teammates and friends of the SuperElite® Program’s Discover Europe™ Tour team.   

In No. 1 seed Indiana and No. 3 Michigan, five players have the kind of history that could make for an epic battle.

We’ll begin with the Hoosiers, who have a bye and automatic spot in the Friday Semifinals.

Nikita Kotlov (2010 Discover Europe), Blake Wise (2009, 2010) and Harrison Petts (2009) helped guide Indiana to its 12th Big Ten regular season title and will be attempting to lead the program to the ultimate championship.

We last checked in with these three Hoosiers as well as all the Discover Europe™ alumni two weeks ago and each player finished the regular season on a positive note.

Now, the prospect of an internal SuperElite® battle looms as Michigan also closed its season with a good deal of momentum.  

The Wolverines and Hoosiers could only meet in a Big Ten championship game, but that scenario is hardly a stretch.

As you’ve surely heard by now, freshman Soony Saad (2009, 2010 Discover Europe) set the Big Ten on fire this season with a conference best-tying (and Michigan single-season record) 15 goals and 112 shots.  

Brother Hamoody (2010 Discover Europe) also turned in an exceptional year with five goals and three assists to help sustain the attack.

A Wolverines vs. Hoosiers title game is a tasty proposition that would reconnect friends, teammates and rivals.

Keep your fingers crossed.