We’re one day into the Big 10 Tournament and March 1st is finally here. March Madness is coming up quick, Big 10 Network will have live action all day tomorrow, and the Indiana University Greek Life suspension is finally over (shameless plug). Tomorrow is a national holiday in my book, and I can’t wait to start it at noon on BTN. Yesterday, the first two games ended in Iowa and Rutgers victories over Illinois and Minnesota. Madison Square Garden will host four more today, so get your laptop charger ready. Here is a preview of each game today from yours truly.
(9) Wisconsin Badgers vs (8) Maryland Terrapins: NOON EST
It is incredible how heavily Wisconsin teams rely on their stars. Aaron Rodgers, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and now Ethan Happ are the sole reasons that their respective teams have any success. If Happ and freshman Brad Davison need to control from start to finish against injury-ridden Maryland. With that being said, I still believe Maryland is a little deeper than Wisconsin and that will come up big in a close Terrapin win.
(12) Iowa Hawkeyes vs (5) Michigan Wolverines: 2:30 EST
To be completely honest, I didn’t even expect Iowa to make it to the second round. After a wire-to-wire win over Illinois, they face a tough Michigan team today. They finished the Fighting Illini by making free throws, going 28/32 in the 2nd half. Unfortunately for Iowa City, Michigan’s talent and experience will carry them over to the next round. Whether the spread is -10, -15, or -20, HOUSE Michigan.
(10) Northwestern Wildcats vs (7) Penn State Nittany Lions: 5:30 EST
First off, please take an hour out of your day to watch “First Dance” on BTN, the documentary about Northwestern’s history-making season last year. Now onto this game, I always had a feeling about Northwestern making a comeback at some point this season. They didn’t lose anyone besides Lumpkin, but chemistry was clearly short of last year. Penn State had no expectations for success this year, but Tony Carr and Co. has shocked the B1G with a 19-12 record. Everyone has Penn State moving on, yet I’ll take Chris Collins and the Wildcats in the upset.
(14) Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs (6) Indiana Hoosiers: 8:00 EST
This game has the making of an Indiana domination. In their only matchup this year, the Hoosiers went into New Jersey and won by 22. The only thing Rutgers might have going for them is a home court advantage with Madison Square Garden, but will there really be more Scarlet Knight fans than Hoosier fans? Probably not. Hoosiers by a thousand.
Get your headphones ready and your laptop charged, because March college basketball is back. Even though the B1G is a week earlier this year, the basketball still will be entertaining. Go Hoosiers.