The conference’s top teams are now entering their toughest
stretch of the season. The conference standings
in two weeks could be the soonest we find out the most accurate representation
of the final outcome. Minnesota
continued their slide downward, but the Gophers are so talented they have to
rise back up again, right? Michigan
State had the best week of any B1G team, and the Spartans are actually looking
like a title contender.
1. Michigan
(no change)
Michigan handled a scrappy Purdue team at home and went to
Illinois to win an up and down contest.
The Wolverines are once again ranked number 1 in the country, but the
latest bump in the standings came with a significant loss. Jordan Morgan suffered an ankle sprain, and
it is unknown how long he will be out.
If I would have to guess, I would think the starting center might be
ready for Ohio State next Tuesday. That could
be optimistic at this point. The gift
for Michigan finally getting back to number 1 is a rematch with Northwestern
and a trip to Bloomington. Will Michigan
separate themselves or leave the top of the conference a muddy mess.
2. Indiana
(no change)
Indiana got healthy again last week with a trouncing of B1G
punching bag, Penn State. Then the
Hoosiers welcomed Michigan State to Assembly Hall and scrapped out a hard
fought 5 point win. It wasn’t the
cleanest played game, as both Indiana and Michigan State struggle with
turnovers. The game did have a number of
momentum changing plays throughout, and was pretty entertaining. After the game, however, I think we found out
more about the Spartans abilities than Indiana’s home court dominance.
3. Michigan
State (up 2)
The Spartans traveled to the Kohl Center and beat Wisconsin
in the ugliest B1G game of the year. I thought
the Ohio State/ Michigan State game would have a chance, but the Spartans
really outdid themselves in this one. But then they bounce back with one of the
more entertaining conference games of the year, at Indiana. As much as I don’t want
to say this, Michigan State is a legitimate B1G title contender.
4. Ohio
State (no change)
The Buckeyes held serve last week with wins against Iowa and
Penn State. Ohio State is still looking for a secondary offensive option, but
at this point in the season it looks unlikely.
It is another winnable week for Thad Matta’s crew with games against
Wisconsin and Nebraska.
5. Wisconsin
(up 1)
The Badgers were riding high after their big win at Indiana,
but they lost to Iowa and Michigan State in back to back games. This is a statement week for Bo Ryan’s team
with road games against Ohio State and Illinois. Going 2-0 this week will really impact the
regular season championship.
6. Minnesota
(down 3)
Minnesota continued its head scratching slide. The Gophers have now lost 4 games in a row,
adding Northwestern and Wisconsin to the mix.
For some reason one of the conference’s best offenses can barely score
50 points right now. This team is too
talented to finish under the top 4 of the conference. They need to bounce back with wins against
Nebraska and Iowa.
7. Purdue
(up 1)
Somehow Purdue continues to claw its way up the conference
standings. They hung tough with Michigan
on the road and then beat Iowa over the weekend. The Boilermakers will not make the tournament
this week, but they are learning how to play together and win together. If Purdue can get to 9 wins in the conference
this year, Matt Painter should be considered for the coach of the year.
8. Iowa
(down 1)
Iowa was my dark horse choice in the Big Ten this season,
but I can no longer continue to think they are an NCAA tournament team. The Hawkeyes might have just lost a back
breaker to Purdue over the weekend, and now will have to pull off one more
major upset to even get the selection committee to notice them come March. The Hawkeyes are definitely inexperienced and
will need to continue learning how to win, but I still expect them to impact
the conference race by upsetting a top team at some point.
9. Illinois
(no change)
Illinois got a blowout win over Nebraska but then struggled
against Michigan at home. Illinois
continues to slide down the brackets, and will need a big win soon to stay on a
tournament line. This week the Illini
have to travel to the Breslin to face Michigan State and then they play
Wisconsin at home. I think Illinois will
have to at least one game this week to keep any hope of an at large NCAA tournament
bid alive.
10. Northwestern
(no change)
The Wildcats continue to fight hard, but they are
inconsistent. They beat Minnesota on
Wednesday and then lost at Nebraska by 15.
This conference is extremely tough, especially when you are missing your
top talent. The road doesn’t get any
easier this week with a road trip to Crisler and a home game against the
Boilermakers.
11. Nebraska
(no change)
Nebraska beat Northwestern at home, but I kept the Huskers
in the number 11 spot because of the Wildcats win over Minnesota. Nebraska is still playing hard and teams
cannot have an off night when they travel to Lincoln.
12. Penn
State (no change)
The gap between Penn State and Nebraska continues to
grow.
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