Big Ten Basketball December 19 Recaps, Previews, and Open Thread

Wednesday's Games

USC Trojans 97, UTSA Roadrunners 70

MaximumSam: USC won this game, but learned that Rodney Rice won't return from a shoulder injury this year. He had been great, so that's some sad new for the Mussel Men.

Kind of...: That's a thought break for a team that had been pushing the envelope already a fair amount this season. Not much margin for error now.

UCLA Bruins 90, Arizona State Sun Devils 77

Kind of...: KenPom says 29; NET says 39. Either way, Bruins need to do some work in conference play if they want to avoid an awkward March seed.

Oregon Ducks 94, Portland Pilots 69

Kind of...: Portland isn't good, but Oregon isn't in position to be turning up their noses at any victory right about now. Semi-home game against Gonzaga Sunday. Sure, they'll probably get beat soundly. But it's also a chance to get their season back on track.

Today's Big Ten Games

#39 Wisconsin Badgers (7-3) at #41 Villanova Wildcats (8-2)

8 ET, FOX

MaximumSam: Last time we saw Wisconsin, they were getting blasted by Nebraska. Last time we saw Villanova, they were getting blasted by Michigan. They can't both get blown out in the same game, can they?

Kind of...: I know Wisconsin isn't the most popular team around these parts but...do you really want to cheer for Kevin Willard? And a bunch of private school dipshits?

#235 Cal Poly Mustangs (5-7) at #25 UCLA Bruins (8-3)

10 ET, BTN

BoilerUp89: So, full disclosure I'm a fan of Cal Poly's head coach Mike DeGeorge and what's he accomplished in 1 and 1/3 seasons at Cal Poly. When DeGeorge took over last season, the Mustangs hadn't won a conference regular season game since December 29, 2022. Year 1 started slow with Cal Poly getting off to a 6-14 (0-8 in Big West) beginning, but the Mustangs pulled off a 10-5 stretch to end the season, make the Big West tournament and run to the semifinals. None of that matters for tonight's game. UCLA is the heavy favorite and will almost certainly win, but keep an eye of Cal Poly the next few years.

Kind of...: I will disclose that a man name John Smith was DeGeorge's predecessor at Cal Poly. He went 8-77 in conference play in his tenure there. PEOPLE, STOP HIRING GUYS NAMED ANY VARIATION OF JOHN SMITH TO COLLEGE HEAD COACHING POSITIONS. IT'S NOT THAT HARD, RIGHT SPARTY?

#57 Washington Huskies (7-3) at #115 Seattle Redhawks (9-2)

11:30 ET, ESPN2/ESPN+

MaximumSam: Hannes Steinbach has hit the NBA mock drafts, so enjoy him while you can, Husky fans.

Kind of...: As the founding member of this site's Steinbach fan club, I second what MaxSam has to say. He probably won't be a big start in the NBA, but dude should be in the league for 10 years just with his well-rounded, high floor game.

Non-B1G Games Of Interest

Brewton-Parker (NAIA) at #363 South Carolina State Bulldogs (0-12), Noon
#85 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (10-1) at #140 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-3), 7:30 ET, ESPN+
#90 Belmont Bruins (11-1) at #109 UC Irvine Anteaters (7-4), 9 ET, ESPN+
#125 FAU Owls (8-3) at #29 St. Mary's Gaels (9-2), 10 ET, ESPN+

BoilerUp89: By the time anyone reads this the South Carolina State game will be over. It wasn't televised so you didn't have a chance to watch it anyway. I include their game because the Bulldogs are the last Division 1 men's basketball program this season without a victory and if they can't beat a NAIA team well... our watch for their first victory may go on for a very long time this season. All hope wouldn't be gone with a loss though. The Bulldogs still have one more non-D1 program in mid-January and are actually favored in three home tilts against fellow MEAC programs. Of course, should they win I'll turn my attention at the bottom of Division 1 to those programs without a victory against Division 1 programs. I believe there are still 12 of those - most of the usual suspects and a very odd UTEP who is 3-6 but with all three victories coming against non-D1 opponents including St. Thomas (Houston) - our friend MNWildcat's old stomping grounds.

Kind of...: Belmont/UC Irvine is a high quality intersection mid-major game. Neither team is at-large worthy, so the game ultimately doesn't mean that much March-wise (but that's true of a bunch of major conference games too). But two good teams, each threats to win their respective conference. The Anteaters already lost at home to a Northern Iowa, another strong MVC team. UNI plays very deliberate ball while Belmont is in the top 50 in terms of pace, so this one should be aesthetically pleasing.