As if the Big Ten didn’t have enough drama throughout this season, the Big Ten regular season title will come down to the final weekend with Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue all tied for first place. To set the scene, the winner of Michigan and Michigan State will have at least a share of the Big Ten title. If Michigan and Purdue win, the Wolverines will claim the title because of head to head. Buckle your seat belts because it is March, and Big Ten Basketball is going to get fun.
Games of the Week
#7 Michigan @ #9 Michigan State (8:00 E.T. ESPN)
Saturday, March 9
Players to Watch:
Michigan. Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 PPG), Jordan Poole (12.9 PPG)
Michigan State: Cassius Winston (19.2 PPG), Kenny Goins (7.8 PPG)
If Michigan vs. Michigan State is as good as it was the first time around, college basketball fans are in for a treat. With a Big Ten Title on the line and NCAA Tournament seeding in play, the lights will be shining bright in East Lansing on Saturday night. The Spartans beat Michigan by seven two weeks ago in Ann Arbor behind a fantastic performance from Cassius Winston. Michigan took care of business against Nebraska and Maryland last week. This game is going to come down to the wire, but when the lights are at the brightest, the best players shine.
Michigan 65 Michigan State 69
#11 Purdue @ Northwestern (2:30 E.T. BTN)
Saturday, March 9
Players to Watch:
Purdue: Carsen Edwards (23.5 PPG), Ryan Cline (11.7 PPG)
Northwestern: Vic Law (15.3 PPG), Derek Pardon (13.9 PPG)
Purdue had their chance to clinch the Big Ten Title Tuesday night. They failed. A loss to Minnesota now leaves the Boilermakers in a must win situation on Saturday against Northwestern if they want a share of the Big Ten Championship. The Wildcats are limping to the finish line having lost 10 straight. I’ve seen crazy things happen, but I don’t suspect much drama in Evanston Saturday afternoon.
Purdue 74 Northwestern 60
Team of the Week: Minnesota
The opportunity laid right in front of the Golden Gophers, and they sealed it in impressive fashion. Minnesota was on the bubble heading into last week and needed a win against Purdue Tuesday night to seal their tournament berth. They responded to every Boilermaker run and held on late to punch their ticket to The Dance on Senior Night.
Player of the Week: Amir Coffey (Minnesota)
64 points in two games to clinch your spot in the NCAA Tournament? That will get you this award. Coffey did just this with 32 points against Northwestern and 32 points in their upset win over Purdue. When Coffey is efficient, this team is one of the better teams in the conference. Don’t sleep on the Gophers in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.
Sleeper team: Indiana
Whether you like it or not, the Hoosiers still have the chance to make their way to The Dance. Sitting at 15-14 and in the “Next Four Out” of Joe Lunardi’s bracketology, Indiana needs to take care of business against Illinois and Rutgers this week to have any shot at the NCAA Tournament. Wins would also put the Hoosiers out of the first day of the Big Ten Tournament which will be key to any run they want to make
My Power Rankings.
- Michigan
- Purdue
- Michigan State
- Maryland
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Rutgers
- Illinois
- Penn State
- Nebraska
- Northwestern
