Big Ten Conference Review, Love Day edition
by Devin S. on Feb 14, 2012 1:20 PM EST
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PrintI've been traveling, so I don't have a lot to throw out here. I was happy to see my distrust of Illinois was born out last week, and very surprised to see Michigan State's success against OSU in Columbus. The race is wide-open again, and I'd be surprised if any of the top teams didn't take at least two more losses each in the backstretch. Rankings and minimal commentary is below the jump.
Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope you are spending it with someone special.
1. Michigan State (9-3) W v. PSU, W @ OSU
Blowing out Penn State was no real surprise, but beating OSU in Columbus? That was eye-opening. Tom Izzo's club is in the driver's seat for the conference title now, but the only sure win among the last six season games is probably the home contest against Nebraska. Don't pencil them for the crown just yet.
2. Ohio State (9-3) W v. Purdue, L v. MSU
The Buckeyes just took a big step back in the conference race with the home loss against the Spartans. They could be even further back if they hadn't managed to eke/sneak out a home victory over Purdue. OSU is starting to look weak, just when road games against Minnesota and Michigan loom on the docket.
3. Michigan (9-4) W v Illinois, W @ Nebraska
Neither of the Wolverines' wins last week should qualify as a surprise, but they were losable games and Michigan is now only a half-game off of the conference lead. Still, a home game versus a Buckeyes' squad looking to rebound and a road contest against a rising Northwestern squad will be tougher challenges. I wouldn't buy stock in these guys just yet.
4. Wisconsin (8-4) W @ Minnesota (OT)
It's been a slow couple of weeks for Wisconsin, but they did nab (barely) a road win over the tough Gophers. Credit to Bo Ryan, after a brief slide, the Badgers have righted the ship and are lurking for a share of the Big Ten title yet again. Watch how they fare against a hot Michigan State team on the road this week before making any judgment, though.
5. Indiana (7-6) W v. Illinois
The Hoosiers are well-positioned to finish above .500 in the conference for the first time in the Crean era. Crean has got to keep the Hoosiers focused and ready to finish strong, because there are a lot of winnable games down the backstretch here. This is the first time I can remember since Dan Dakich was coach where the mental aspect is going to matter more than the physical in the coming games.
6 .Purdue (6-6) L @ OSU, W v. Northwestern
It was a great week for Purdue, holding off a hot NU team at home after the shouldawouldacoulda...didna game at Ohio State. Whatever the actual result from the game in Columbus, that effort clearly gave the fans and the team itself confidence that the Boilers could compete in the Big Ten and that they will probably make the NCAA tourney.
7. Northwestern (5-7) W v. Iowa, L @ Purdue
The once-moribund Wildcats have shown enough in their mid-conference revival that they are now being seriously considered as an at-large team. Aside from the game at IU, they really could win the rest their remaining games to wind up 10-8. I don't think that happens, and even given a relatively strong finish, let me just say that I don't believe it's going to happen for NU this year unless they win the conference tourney.
8. Minnesota (5-7) L v. Wisconsin (OT)
Let's make no bones about it - that OT home loss to Wisconsin hurts a lot. They've got home games against MSU, IU, and OSU left, as well as road games at Wisky and Northwestern, before hosting Nebraska on Senior day. These guys have to win a lot of big games at home just to get to .500 and be considered "on the bubble" before being dismissed for a terribly weak non-conference schedule. I think they need 10 wins, and some conference tourney success, before they can get an at-large bid,
9. Iowa (5-7) L @ Northwestern
I didn't expect the Hawkeyes to win at Welsh-Ryan arena, but I didn't expect them to get totally blown out, either. After a nice week with two home wins, Iowa suddenly looks like they could lose out. I doubt that they do, but their next three games (@PSU, Indiana, Wisconsin) could drop them below .500 overall, and out of NIT contention.
10. Illinois (5-7) L @ Indiana, L @ Michigan
Well, it's hard to criticize the Illini for losing on the road to two ranked teams, but then again, I doubted their abilities last week and was proven right. So until they start winning games, here they stay. The bad news for Hoosier fans is that rumors are starting to surface about Bruce Weber getting canned at the end of the season.
11. Penn State (3-10) L @ MSU, W v. Neb.
The Lions' lone starting big man for most of the season, Billy Oliver, hung up his shoes this last week after his concussion symptoms returned after playing a few minutes against Minnesota.PSU responded by absolutely torching the Cornhuskers at home. That snapped a 5-game losing streak, just when Pat Chambers' club was looking rather lifeless.
12. Nebraska (3-10) L v. Michigan, L @ PSU
Not a good week for Nebraska, who lost by 16 twice. The home loss against Michigan was understandable, I suppose, but getting thoroughly trounced at PSU was unfortunate. Not much more to say here, other than welcome to the Big Ten.
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Bruce, Noooooooooooo!
I’ll have to look a lot harder for a conference coach to hate. Also, I do not think that a win in Assembly Hall for Northwestern this week is outside the realm of possibility. In fact, I am scared as Hell of this game. And will be scared of every game from here on out. Which is progress: the last three years, I was numb and resigned at this point of the season. Don’t get me wrong, I think that IU should win this game relatively handly. But they could just as easily lay an egg.
by hoosierdaddynow on Feb 14, 2012 1:44 PM EST reply actions
no worries; ill be at this game.
IU does well when I’m in the building. And if you want to get practical about it IU is simply playing well lately. Any combination of about 8 guys can have a big game at any given time. If we can play even decent defense this one is a W.
"It's an easy game, man. Easy game."
~Edgerrin James
by 87 Rides A Surfboard on Feb 14, 2012 1:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Matt Painter could step up in that regard. He does seem to let his adversaries and recruiting misses get under his skin at times and lashes out. Still, it would be tough to match Brucie.
The Crimson Quarry, SB Nation's Indiana Hoosiers blog
by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Feb 14, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
Matty Painter will definitely take over the reigns for
the B1G coach most likely to remain bitter about a missed recruit for much longer than what most people would consider a reasonable timeframe. We’ll be able to verify this when he pulls a Sal Alosi on Gary Harris during a crucial play next year.
"It's an easy game, man. Easy game."
~Edgerrin James
by 87 Rides A Surfboard on Feb 14, 2012 4:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think we should invite Earl Calloway back, and make him the honorary alumni captain for all future IU-Purdue home games.
The Crimson Quarry, SB Nation's Indiana Hoosiers blog
by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Feb 14, 2012 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
There are no gimme conference games this year, but ...
Northwestern would scare me a lot more if they played any defense. They are allowing more points per possession in conference games than Iowa, which I didn’t think was possible.
by thunderpup12 on Feb 14, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
The thing about Northwestern
Hoosierdaddy is right to be scared. I think it was Ken Pomeroy (or maybe it was Kyle Whelliston) that said the way you can always spring an upset is to devote half your shots to three-pointers and make 40% of them. And Northwestern could that at any time. Furthermore, their slice-and-dicing of MSU’s defense should concern any coach.
All that said, defenses can usually identify the shooters and contest their foes’ preferred shooters -and NU has two that have been healthy (Shurna & Crawford). Given that NU has neither defensive chops, depth, nor an interior offensive presence of note, it would seem a good bet that IU walks away a winner from this one. Especially when there’s the motivation of the 20th win on the line.
anyone remember that one time that Watford hit a 3 at the buzzer to beat #1 Kentucky?
That was awesome.
Sorry for the randomness. The weather today was getting me a bit depressed so I watched cwats shot about 50 times to lift my spirits.
"It's an easy game, man. Easy game."
~Edgerrin James
by 87 Rides A Surfboard on Feb 14, 2012 1:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Sure would be nice to have those NU and Minny games back, given the way the standing are today. Oh well. House money and all that…
The Crimson Quarry, SB Nation's Indiana Hoosiers blog
by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Feb 14, 2012 2:29 PM EST reply actions
I don't want to talk about it
if we had those two games back…. guuhhh!!!! We’d be a game out of the race with our own fate in our hands since we still play MSU.
-Contributing Writer at The Crimson Quarry.
Growing up is painful
These guys suddenly have the talent to be in the race after three years of fighting to not finish last. But learning how to win, even when you’re getting your opponent’s best shot, takes some time.
That said, I’m not patient – I want IU to finish the season on a hot streak. I do hope they’ve already learned these lessons, because there’s a lot of hungry teams out there waiting to play the Hoosiers.
Thinking back to my expectations at the beginning of the season
One was that there would be no more than three “blow out” games. There were just so many games in the last few years that they were never in at all. I figured that they’d have those at OSU, at MSU, and maybe against Kentucky, and for that matter, they may lay an egg somewhere else. And they’ve laid eggs — against Minny and at Nebby. But there’s only been one game this year that they were never in at all: at Columbus, and even then, they did not roll over and die. This would not be progress if they were not finding ways to win close ones. But they are. So that, too, is progress.
by hoosierdaddynow on Feb 14, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
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