Big Ten Basketball - February 24

Sunday's Games

Michigan State Spartans 66, The Ohio State Buckeyes 60

MaximumSam: Bruce Thornton and the Randos couldn't quite get it done at Sparty. Thornton had 32, but the motley collection of randos only accounted for 28. Perhaps he can get a court order to play for Miami of Ohio.

Kind of...: I LOVE Bruce Thornton and the Randos. It's like a less enthusiastic version of "? and the Mysterians." YES! A 60s band reference! But, before you conclude I lost the plot entirely consider two things: 1) Where were they from? 2) What was the name for their biggest hit song?

I'm here all week...

Wisconsin Badgers 84, Iowa Hawkeyes 71

BoilerUp89: Wisconsin has done a good job of improving throughout the season. Their ceiling isn't anywhere near as high as the top 5 in the conference, but they've raised their ceiling more than anyone else since November. I don't often do this - because I'm constantly comparing him unfavorably to Bo Ryan - but credit to Greg Gard.

Kind of...: I was going to mildly protest, but mostly about grouping the top 5 together. But let's make this simple: Torvik ranking of B1G teams from Jan. 5--present (just after Wisconsin got shellacked at home by Purdue, but before they beat UCLA handily): 5 Illinois, 6 Michigan, 8 Nebraska, 9 Purdue, 11 MSU, 16 Wisconsin.

As for Gard, I mean any B1G coach in the 21st century not named Tom Izzo will compare unfavorably to Ryan (maybe not Painter based on longevity). But he has clearly proven he knows the Xs and Os via the surprisingly solid record of beating top 5 teams, and he's evolved, proving himself willing to change his approach to meet the times. No Sweet 16s since 2017 is the albatross around his neck. Earned because of 5/12 losses to Oregon (2019) and JMU (2024) as well as losing to 11-seed Iowa State in the second round in 2022. Mitigated because 2020 B1G tri-champs (finished season on 8 game winning-streak) didn't get a chance, Hepburn got hurt in first half vs. Iowa State in '22, and had to play BYU in Denver altitude last year after four games in four days at BTT. Maybe Wisconsin could do better, but odds are they'd do worse. In this very moment (not career accomplishments, obviously), Painter and May are the only two in the conference that I definitely take ahead of Gard.

McCollum, who I am quite high on, really seems to be feeling the grind of the B1G season. He's always intense on the sideline, but, while Bennett Stirtz was pretty good Sunday, it was Nick Boyd's day, and you could see McCollum alternate between urging his team to be fundamentally sound on defense and quietly realizing that he doesn't have the same level of horsepower this year. Will be really interesting to see how Iowa hits the portal this year. McCollum had a system, one that is not friendly to a lot of players. And Iowa doesn't seem like they're huge spenders. But McCollum's track record speaks for itself. From my Wisconsin-centric view, I can buy McCollum as young Bo Ryan. But I can also see Luke Fickell in a "the sport's different now, and what was your edge has pretty much dissolved."

BoilerUp89: I think I would take Underwood over Gard but it's certainly a discussion.

Tonight's Games

#46 Washington Huskies (13-14, 5-11) at #140 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-16, 4-12)

6:30 ET, BTN

HoustonBoiler: I still don't understand how Washington remains so highly regarded by Torvik. While Rutgers has been very good at beating the teams below them in the standings, here's an opportunity for them to beat a team above them.

Kind of...: It's the per possession thing. The 80-63 loss to Sparty is the only conference loss the Huskies have this year by more than 10 points. In fact, Washington has been incredibly consistent this year are losing to teams better than them by 1-10 points. They're KenPom ranking has been between 42 and 52 the entirety of these season except for a few days in December after they lost to Colorado by 13. Washington is basically (median - 2) in terms of power conference teams AND there have been almost no outlying results, so they're record is probably worse that it would typically be, but not so much than anybody thinks there's secretly a NCAA tournament threat buried in there somewhere.

Though I remain terrified of Wisconsin's Pacific Northwest visit over the next few days.

#65 Northwestern Wildcats (11-16, 4-12) at #30 Indiana Hoosiers (17-10, 8-8)

7 ET, FS1

BoilerUp89: I think Indiana makes the tournament at 11-9 in the Big Ten. But that means they can't lose games like Northwestern at home. This is one of the better matchups for Northwestern as Indiana can't bully them in the paint like so many others in this league.

Kind of...: Inclined to agree, except I'd say that they are "in" at 11-9, but not safe. That would get the 7/8/9/10 seed at the BTT, which, if it's the 9 or 10, means a Wed game against the 15/18 or 16/17 winner. Lost that, and all bets are off. Even if they get the 7 or 8, they're probably playing UCLA, Iowa, or Ohio State. If, say, it's Ohio State, and the Buckeyes beat Indiana for the second time in a few days, that wouldn't be good.

#48 Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-14, 6-10) at #1 Michigan Wolverines (25-2, 15-1)

8:30 ET, BTN

Kind of...: Other than reflexive proverbs like "letdown game," I've got nothing.

#54 USC Trojans (18-9, 7-9) at #40 UCLA Bruins (18-9, 10-6)

11 ET, FS1

BoilerUp89: Round one of this rivalry in LA! UCLA can put a knife in USC's postseason aspirations while securing themselves a bid and a halfway decent seed if they win both instances of this matchup in the next two weeks.

Kind of...: And a USC sweep creates all sort of hilarity! Okay, UCLA should win. The Illinois game created an emotional peak, so who knows what happens tonight. But it sure seems like a UCLA loss will be more about the Bruins losing the game than about USC winning. UCLA is just the better team.

Non-B1G Games Of Interest

#38 Cincinnati Bearcats (15-12, 7-7) at #10 Texas Tech Red Raiders (20-7, 10-4), 7 ET, ESPN2
#22 Saint Louis Billikens (25-2, 13-1) at #87 Dayton Flyers (18-9, 9-5), 7 ET, ESPN+
#23 NC State Wolfpack (19-8, 10-4) at #18 Virginia Cavaliers (24-3, 12-2), 7 ET, ACCN
#134 Bradley Braves (19-10, 12-6) at #107 UIC Flames (16-13, 11-7), 8 ET, ESPN+
#219 San Jose Spartans (7-20, 2-14) at #345 Air Force Falcons (3-24, 0-16), 9 ET
#45 New Mexico Lobos (21-6, 12-4) at #71 Nevada Wolf Pack (18-9, 10-6), 11 ET, CBSSN

BoilerUp89: What happens with Cincinnati if they finish 11-7 in the Big 12? The non-conference resume is stinky. Their two tough remaining games are against injured Texas Tech and BYU squads. If they win those, do you discount those wins? An interesting case study that matters not if they lose tonight.

Saint Louis is awful close to securing their bid and losing at Dayton wouldn't hurt them, but it might take any leeway they would otherwise get for a loss to Loyola Chicago. Bradley and UIC are fighting for 2nd place in the Valley (Murray is also involved at 12-7). The goal is to avoid Belmont as long as possible in Arch Madness.

Nevada isn't showing up on many bubble conversations but New Mexico absolutely is and this is the first of three very tough MWC games remaining for the Lobos (they also play San Diego State and Utah State still).

Why did I include Air Force? The Falcons are the only Division I team without a conference victory. That's incredibly depressing and this is a home game against the second worst Mountain West team.

HoustonBoiler: #219 San Jose State at #345 Air Force has sicko potential!

Kind of...: If Cincy wins out they're clearly in. The committee--pretty inconsistently I would say--gives consideration to teams with injured players who have returned/are returning, but it's a can of worms to discount victories over teams with injuries. Just slot it in the right quad and move on. In any event, 19-12/11-7 in a power conference with wins vs. Iowa State, vs. BYU, @Kansas, and @Texas Tech would be a no-brainer in my mind. Honestly, that wouldn't be that far off of what Wisconsin has done in conference play this year, and nobody's questioning their worthiness (Wisconsin had a tougher non-conference, but didn't do much with it).

Bradley clinches not 4th with a win. If UIC wins there are three teams at 12-7 with one game left, and one of those teams is in Belmont's half. (Murray State closes @ Bradley, so there won't be a three-way tie among these teams).

I'd throw in UCF/BYU at 11:00 and fire up the multiview. UCF/BYU, New Mexico/Nevada, and USC/UCLA are all compelling in their own ways, and it's going to be March in less than a week. Time to starting getting into shape!