Big Ten Basketball, February 4: Sparty v Goldy, a Land of Lincoln Battle, and Iowa Goes Sleepless in Seattle

Last Night's Games

UCLA Bruins 98, Rutgers Scarlet Knights 66

Kind of...: UCLA did what they were supposed to...and then some. Xavier Booker gives us 24 points on 11 shots. Gotta think that will ensure he gets serious minutes down the stretch, right? Right? By efficiency numbers, this was UCLA's SECOND-BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE KENPOM ERA (1997-present). UCLA did this despite shooting 44% from the floor and 55% from the line thanks to 11 offensive rebounds and only two turnovers. And thanks to playing Rutgers.

USC Trojans 81, Indiana Hoosiers 75

Kind of...: Nick Dorn: 2-12; Tucker DeVries: 1-9; Chad Baker-Mazara: 3-10. Indiana's two stars having an off night were more than USC's one. It was enough to see the Trojans through despite Lamar Wilkerson dropping 33. Alijah Arenas, who hadn't scored in double digits in any of his first four games as a Trojan, exploded for 29.

This is becoming a heckuva test of the selection committee's priorities this year. Both of these teams are now 6-6 in B1G play. USC is 17-6 while Indiana is 15-8. But the advanced stats clearly like the Hoosiers better. Despite no Hoosier wins of note outside conference play.

Tonight's Games

#13 Michigan State Spartans (19-3, 9-2) at #60 Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-12, 3-8)

7 ET, BTN

BoilerUp89: The Gophers have lost 7 straight. Most of those have been close (two in overtime), but Minnesota's offense struggles from time to time and Sparty's defense is brutal.

Kind of...: Yep, the trouble with impressive wins early in the conference season is that the regression really hurts. Go back and read our work early in the year. Reminder and reminder that Medved is a good coach, but this is a big rebuild. Patience, patience, patience. After tonight, Minnesota welcomes Maryland, does the Pacific Northwest road swing, then comes back home to host Rutgers. Should be at least two wins there which should be enough to keep them out of the bottom four (and a Tuesday slot at the BTT).

#64 Northwestern Wildcats (10-12, 2-9) at #8 Illinois Fighting Illini (19-3, 10-1)

9 ET, BTN

Kind of...: Not gonna lie Wildcat fans: this is going to hurt.

AlmaOtter: Sorry, Nicky Meatballs. Get ready to learn how to speak Serbo-Croatian.

#20 Iowa Hawkeyes (16-5, 6-4) at #44 Washington Huskies (12-10, 4-7)

11 ET, BTN

BoilerUp89: This is an important game for Iowa. They've got 5 remaining games I don't think they shouldn't be favored in and the non-conference resume is weak enough that I'm not sure 10-10 in the B1G gets it done.

Kind of...: They're clearly in better shape than Indiana and USC, but, yeah, the stretch run is brutal. And being happy that Grand Canyon recent form is improving your non-conference numbers only demonstrates how thin they are. Win tonight, and they should be 9-4 with Purdue and Nebraska coming to Iowa City. Lose, and it's "they could be 8-8 leaving Madison a few weeks."

For me, my eyes tell me the statheads are right. This is a good team. But my eyes have no influence on what happens tonight, and Washington has been playing pretty well. Late start, but important game. Damn that's a late start.

Non-B1G Games of Interest

#51 Seton Hall Pirates (16-6, 6-5) at #32 Villanova Wildcats (16-5, 7-3), 6:30 ET, Peacock
#224 South Alabama Jaguars (16-6, 7-3) at #173 App State Mountaineers (15-9, 8-4), 6:30 Et, ESPN+
#46 UCF Knights (17-4, 6-3) at #3 Houston Cougars (19-2, 7-1), 7 ET, FS1
#120 Duquesne Dukes (12-10, 4-5) at #107 George Mason Patriots (20-2, 8-1), 7 ET, ESPN+
#52 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (19-3, 7-2) at #103 FAU Owls (14-9, 6-4), 7 ET, ESPN+
#182 Furman Paladins (16-7, 7-3) at #152 ETSU Buccaneers (16-7, 8-2), 7 ET, ESPN+
#25 Texas A&M Aggies (17-4, 7-1) at #19 Alabama Crimson Tide (14-7, 4-4), 7 ET, SECN
#167 North Texas Mean Green (12-10, 3-6) at #228 Rice Owls (9-13, 3-6), 8 ET, ESPN+
#197 Lipscomb Bison (15-8, 8-2) at #150 Austin Peay Governors (15-6, 9-1), 8 ET, ESPN+
#30 Utah State Aggies (18-3, 9-2) at #41 New Mexico Lobos (18-4, 9-2), 11 ET, FS1

BoilerUp89: North Texas v. Rice is your sickos game of the night. The winner takes a 1 game lead for the 10th and final spot in the American conference tournament. Enjoy!

Seton Hall/Villanova is a battle of bubbly teams. UCF has a chance to secure their bid in the first week of February! And I don't know what to make of the SEC, but Bucky McMillan and A&M are 7-1 somehow.

We've got battles atop the ASUN, SoCon, and Sun Belt. Two Mountain West at-large hopefuls fight in The Pit while George Mason and Tulsa try to keep at-large hopes alive.

Kind of...: I think Villanova is pretty safe, but Seton Hall certainly is not. If MSU is running away from things, give Houston a look. Kingston Flemings is probably the best offensive player Kelvin Sampson has had since Eric Gordon. Tulsa could really kill their at-large chances if they stub their toe. Go Buccaneers! Go Governors! And if I'm up late, I'll try to fight off sleep by toggling between Iowa/Washington and Utah State/Ne Mexico. Huge MWC game. Both teams are in pretty good shape, at-large wise. Just watch is for its own sake. A battle for first in a strong mid-major.

BoilerUp89: Nova is pretty safe right now but given the state of the Big East this year all it takes is a couple losses to mid teams and people might start questioning that. A projected 8 seed at the moment, they would be wise to keep winning.