Illinois is one of a handful of teams that would have liked postseason bids to be handed out in mid December. Since then they have lost 6 times, some good and some not so good, as they struggle to find their level in a very competitive Big Ten Conference.
The Big Ten is loaded at the top this year, so much so that the Spartans might only be the 4th best team in the conference. They enter this tough road environment on a 5 game winning streak including beating a tough Ohio State team over the weekend.
They aren’t dominating teams or the headlines but the Spartans are in good shape entering Big Ten conference play. They have won 6 in a row including a solid victory against Texas on the weekend. The Big Ten is really tough and winning on the road is going to be a challenge.
A curious matchup as both of these teams went from sleepers to disappointments pretty quickly. Both are looking to finish the year on a positive note to set the tone for next season.
This is not a very good Iowa team but they are one of just two teams in the Big Ten Legends division that has yet to lose a conference game (1-0).
The two most balanced teams in the Big Ten will meet for the Big Ten Conference Tournament title tomorrow afternoon in Indianapolis.
In the top half of the Big Ten Tournament bracket there have been no surprises thus far.
The Big Ten Tournament kicks off in earnest when Iowa takes on Michigan State at high noon eastern time in the quarterfinals Friday afternoon.
The Big Ten’s top dog Michigan State will look to continue their conference dominance on Tuesday, by notching its seventh straight victory with a win over the resurgent Indiana Hoosiers who have slide back into the top 25 by winning five of their last six.
Michigan State stunned the nation by dominating Ohio State in Columbus this past weekend.
The top two teams in the Big Ten will meet Saturday evening in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State had a down year last season, but Tom Izzo’s team is much improved this year.
NCAA Basketball Matchup: Michigan State vs. Ohio State
6:00 PM EST
College Basketball Gambling Odds from BetOnline
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Ohio State -9.5
Over/Under: 127
Ohio State comes into this one at 21-3 on the year. The Buckeyes are 17-0 at home.
These two are the best rebounding teams in the Big Ten, so expect a physical battle.
This should be a good one!
Last year’s Michigan State team was loaded with talent, but they weren’t terribly coachable and the team chemistry was poor. The Spartans are clearly a more cohesive unit this season. Draymond Green is a great senior leader for this team. Green averages 15.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Green’s versatility makes him a tough guy to guard. Keith Appling has stepped up and given the team a very good point guard. Appling doesn’t have a great outside shot, but he excels at getting to the rim. Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne are both bruisers down low. Michigan State is first in the league in offensive rebounding.
The Spartans allow just 59.0 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Jared Sullinger is the man in the middle for Ohio State. Sullinger has slimmed down a bit this year, but he is as strong as ever. Sullinger leads the team at 17.4 points and nine rebounds per contest. William Buford has been in a slump this year, but he had a breakout game against Purdue on Tuesday night. Buford carried the team with 29 big points.
This team needs Buford to continue to play with confidence if they are going to make a run to the Final Four. DeShaun Thomas is a guy who can fill it up in a hurry when he gets hot.
Aaron Craft is a very good point guard for this team, and he is on the Bob Cousy Award list as one of the nation’s best at his position. Ohio State shoots 49% from the floor, while they hold opponents to just 39.7%. The Buckeyes allow only 56.6 points per game.
Michigan State will probably stay within the number here.
I expect an Ohio State win, but Tom Izzo’s team should be well-prepared.
Prediction: Ohio State 68 Michigan State 61
Tom Izzo notched his 400th career win last week. Michigan State was expected to do big things last year, but they were a big disappointment.
The Michigan Wolverines swept the season series last year over Michigan State. Tom Izzo’s Spartans team was quite disappointing last year, but he seems to have the type of players he wants in his system this year.
The annual classic Big Ten-SEC showdown in the Outback Bowl features Michigan State and Georgia duking it out in south Florida in the New Year.
After rolling over five consecutive opponents, the No. 23 Gonzaga Bulldogs finally met their match against a perfect Illinois squad that came into Assembly Hall and handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.
Virtually every media outlet and talking head in the college football business has exhausted their resources discussing the struggles of Notre Dame football. Why don’t I follow suit, if only for a few moments?
