centralbucksfan wrote:

Laley23 wrote:

centralbucksfan wrote:
But this isn't near the same MSU team as last year, not even close IMO. I think OSU is better, and I think even Purdue on a neutral court is as good. I also believe Wisky, now healthy, is as good or better then MSU.

OSU is better than MSU, no questions.
But what are you talking about Purdue on a neutral court is better than MSU. MSU just BEAT purdue AT Purdue...
Wisky being better is a good debate. We may or may never get to know, depending on how the tourney unfolds.

Yes, MSU did beat Purdue at Purdue. Just as Purdue won @ MSU. And it was Purdue first game without Hummel AND more importantly MSU had an ENTIRE week to prepare for that game as well. They had a lot going for them heading into that game.

Yeah but they beat MSU with Hummel. They dont have him anymore. What precedent is there to show they would be better on a neutral court if they arent at home? Not saying they wouldnt win...but there is nothing to say they would, while there is hard evidence that MSU would win.

Laley23 wrote:

centralbucksfan wrote:

Laley23 wrote:

centralbucksfan wrote:
But this isn't near the same MSU team as last year, not even close IMO. I think OSU is better, and I think even Purdue on a neutral court is as good. I also believe Wisky, now healthy, is as good or better then MSU.

OSU is better than MSU, no questions.
But what are you talking about Purdue on a neutral court is better than MSU. MSU just BEAT purdue AT Purdue...
Wisky being better is a good debate. We may or may never get to know, depending on how the tourney unfolds.

Yes, MSU did beat Purdue at Purdue. Just as Purdue won @ MSU. And it was Purdue first game without Hummel AND more importantly MSU had an ENTIRE week to prepare for that game as well. They had a lot going for them heading into that game.

Yeah but they beat MSU with Hummel. They dont have him anymore. What precedent is there to show they would be better on a neutral court if they arent at home? Not saying they wouldnt win...but there is nothing to say they would, while there is hard evidence that MSU would win.

I don't disagree. I just feel MSU had the stars aligned going into that game...Hummel hurt that week, MSU having the entire week off to prepare. That won't be the case next time around (If it happens) and Purdue has had time to adjust/play without Hummel.

centralbucksfan wrote:

Laley23 wrote:

centralbucksfan wrote:

Laley23 wrote:

centralbucksfan wrote:
But this isn't near the same MSU team as last year, not even close IMO. I think OSU is better, and I think even Purdue on a neutral court is as good. I also believe Wisky, now healthy, is as good or better then MSU.

OSU is better than MSU, no questions.
But what are you talking about Purdue on a neutral court is better than MSU. MSU just BEAT purdue AT Purdue...
Wisky being better is a good debate. We may or may never get to know, depending on how the tourney unfolds.

Yes, MSU did beat Purdue at Purdue. Just as Purdue won @ MSU. And it was Purdue first game without Hummel AND more importantly MSU had an ENTIRE week to prepare for that game as well. They had a lot going for them heading into that game.

Yeah but they beat MSU with Hummel. They dont have him anymore. What precedent is there to show they would be better on a neutral court if they arent at home? Not saying they wouldnt win...but there is nothing to say they would, while there is hard evidence that MSU would win.

I don't disagree. I just feel MSU had the stars aligned going into that game...Hummel hurt that week, MSU having the entire week off to prepare. That won't be the case next time around (If it happens) and Purdue has had time to adjust/play without Hummel.

Thats very true. If/when that match-up comes along in the semi's I will be looking forward to it. Both semis should be fantastic if the top 4 all advance.

I don't like us against Wisconsin.... something really, really scary about that....

Micjigan State is playing good now--look out

With the three "rat-tail" games to earn a trip to the quarterfinals to face OSU, Purdue and Michigan State.

1. Iowa vs. Michigan (winner plays Ohio State): Iowa lives and dies by the three-pointer. Their 10-21 record shows that might not be the best strategy to have over the course of a major-conference schedule. They finished 1-5 with one of those losses at home to Michigan (although only by two points). Michigan was one of the nation's most disappointing teams and needs to win the Big 10 tournament to make their second straight NCAA appearance. Their last two games are essentially their season in a nutshell: a blowout win over bubble team Minnesota followed by a blowout loss to a Michigan State team that has been struggling down the stretch.

2. Indiana vs. Northwestern (winner plays Purdue): Less than one week ago, Indiana beat Northwestern 88-80 in overtime. That broke an 11-game losing streak where nine of those losses were by double figures. That just shows how bad 19-11 Northwestern has fallen as the season's progressed. Early on, they were in the Top 25. A few weeks ago, they were still a quality bubble team. Recently, they've been dropping games to to the bottom-feeders of the conference (going 2-4 against Iowa, Indiana and Penn State) down the stretch. They played better than expected without Koble, but seem to be out of gas.

3. Minnesota vs. Penn State (winner plays Michigan State): Odds are that Minnesota will wind up in the NIT, looking back at one-point home losses to Michigan State and Purdue, wondering what could have been. But, if they can beat Michigan State and Purdue in this tournament (which is very possible, as MSU has been mediocre recently and Purdue's without Hummel), they could play their way in. They can't overlook Penn State, though. Not only has Minnesota been Jekyll-n-Hyde this year (two losses to Michigan, including a recent blowout and a loss to Indiana...but wins over Ohio State, Wisconsin and Butler), but Penn State's the best 11-19 team out there. Minnesota beat them twice by a total of seven points and that's the story of Penn State's season, for the most part -- play 'em down to the wire, but just fall short (10/15 conference losses by single digits and one more by exactly 10 points). They did finish 3-3 after starting conference play 0-12, so they definitely can kick the Gophers down to NIT-land early, though.

How come I was just watching a Big Ten tournament game on the Big Ten Network with Minnesota playing Indiana and tell myself "I wonder who the winner of this game plays." After minutes of watching it, I noticed the announcers mentioned the name Gordon. I was like "Didn't he play a couple years ago? Maybe that is his brother or something." Only to find out that they was airing a classic game lol. They just now put March 14th, 2008 on top of the screen so I probably wasn't the only one fooled

^^^^I watched that game last night. Still the worst feeling I have ever had watching a basketball game. That team just completely fell apart. From a possible Final Four team to a team that was in complete turmoil (and yes, I watched it unfold from the inside during practices that werent closed to media, press conferences, and Sampson talking to the media) it was so sad. This game just topped it all off.

As for today, I really like the Hoosiers chances tonight. Coach Crean FINALLY benched the guys who deserved to be benched ages ago:
-Rivers
-Pritchard
-Dumes (who doesnt start, but takes WAY to many of Hulls' minutes)

And instead played the freshman
-Elston
-Capobianco
-Hulls (who has been starting but only getting about 30 minutes. He played 44 last game)

He did that and let them play through mistakes that freshman will make. Because they got minutes the talent that they have showed through in the end (something the above 3 posses none of). Not to mention Elston and Capobianco are LOADS more athletically gifted than Pritchard and Dumes and provide a ton of energy on both ends. While on defense that sometimes hurts, the frenetic pace still helps Indiana.

If Crean goes this same route (why not, they got the win) then I like their chances to win today and hang with Purdue tomorrow.

Michigan currently mauling Iowa 26-11, so it looks like OSU will be having their rubber match with the Wolverines at noon tomorrow.

Michigan leads Iowa 31-23 in the 1st game of the day

Iowa's battled back into the game and gotten within four with about 15 to go.

Michigan wins 59-52 ..... Buckeyes vs. Wolverines tomorrow at Noon

Northwestern beats Indiana 73-58 (First 20 win season in school history) ....... Wildcats advance to play the Boilermakers

I've had the feeling all day that Penn State would beat Minnesota.

Of course, the way my bets have gone the last few days since conference tournaments got going, Penn State will probably either take a 15 point lead into half, melt down and lose at the buzzer, or fall behind by 15 early and never come back.

I'm actually nervous the most about Wisconsin...They are a very good team. We beat them last time without one of their best players, John Leur. With him, the Badgers are a different and better team. They'll be tough. If we get past the Mich, who would we play next? The winner of what game?

big_hits24 wrote: I'm actually nervous the most about Wisconsin...They are a very good team. We beat them last time without one of their best players, John Leur. With him, the Badgers are a different and better team. They'll be tough. If we get past the Mich, who would we play next? The winner of what game?

Uh..the winner of the Wisky vs Ill game.

Minny up big on Penn State 51-30 w/ just under 12 minutes left

So we have:

1 Ohio State vs. 8 Michigan
4 Wisconsin vs. 5 Illinois
3 Michigan State vs. 6 Minnesota
2 Purdue vs. 7 Northwestern

Illinois needs to beat Wisconsin and they should be in. If they don't it will be tough.

Minnesota might get in by beating Michigan State, or they might have to make the final to get in.

It's a shame Northwestern fell apart late in the season. It would have been a nice story for them to make their first NCAA tournament after losing their best player to start the season.

Illinois and Minnesota are in must-win situations. I think both sneak in with wins tomorrow. Illinois a little more secure.

The Illinois-Wisky game is interesting. Each team won on the other team's home court, but who will prevail at the neutral site?

Minnesota wins 76-55 ....... Gophers vs. Spartans tomorrow

I don't buy into Minnesota beating Sparty...no way that happens! And I can't really see Illinois upsetting Wisconsin...sorry Illini. Just don't see these two teams (MSU and Ill) losing on day 2 of the tourney.

big_hits24 wrote: I don't buy into Minnesota beating Sparty...no way that happens! And I can't really see Illinois upsetting Wisconsin...sorry Illini. Just don't see these two teams (MSU and Ill) losing on day 2 of the tourney.

I actually think Ill and Minny could both win. Not saying they will...but both are DESPERATE for a win for NCAA. So I don't think these games will be pushovers at all. I really expect a couple of very close games.
On top of that, MSU is dealing with player issues and their BTT record is not good at all. Haven't won it in 10yrs.

Would LOVE to see Minnesota win, but I don't think beating MSU secures anything for them, it merely puts them closer to the discussion. A win over Purdue after that would put them in.