Big Ten Basketball January 31 Recaps, Previews, and Open Thread

Yesterday's Games

Michigan Wolverines 83, Michigan State Spartans 71

MaximumSam: Dammit Sparty! You had one job.

Kind of...: Seems like the conventional wisdom was correct. Fears is (a) special (kind of irritant); MSU can battle like a classic Izzo team; but Michigan's frontline is the real deal; and if Cadeau is on his game it will take something special* to beat the Wolverines.

(*Like an heretofore unknown Lithuanian hitting 4 threes (nearly 1/3 of his season total) in the middle three minutes of a thirteen minute stretch where Michigan's #1 defenses surrenders 48 points. For example.)

Today's Games

#40 THE Ohio State Buckeyes (14-6, 6-4) at #36 Wisconsin Badgers (15-6, 7-3)

2:00 ET, 1:00 GTZ. FOX.

MaximumSam: Somewhat similar teams who can get some hot shooting but also have a habit of not playing defense. Puff Johnson got a two week extension of eligibility from his court case, so he is going to drop 2 points and 1 rebound so hard.

Kind of...: Big day for the mushy middle of the conference (Purdue, you're not there yet)! Can Wisconsin get a little separation and open up a two-game lead over the Buckeyes (and Indiana)? Or can Ohio State get it's first signature road win of the season? If you're seen Wisconsin at all lately, you'll know the answer is "Nobody can know the ways of #teamchaos." Solid bet that whoever's bigs are less ineffective will probably win.

#24 Indiana Hoosiers (14-7, 5-5) at #39 UCLA Bruins (15-6, 7-3)

5:00 ET, 4:00 GTZ. Peacock.

MaximumSam: High of 83 degrees in Los Angeles today. High of 20 in Bloomington. Thanks, Big Ten schedule makers. Thanks a lot.

Kind of...: Part two of the mushy middle daily double. Road win would do wonders for Indiana fresh off the home win over Purdue. But a UCLA win would keep the Bruins in a fifth place tie with Purdue (and, maybe, Wisconsin) and make it a LOT more likely the Hoosiers have to play on Wednesday at the BTT. Metrics like Indiana a lot. UCLA hasn't lost as home this year. Interesting game.

#149 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (9-12, 2-8) at #48 USC Trojans (15-6, 4-6)

7:00 ET, 6:00 GTZ. Peacock.

MaximumSam: Jersey Mike's seems to open a new shop on every block and sold for 8 billion dollars in 2024. Rutgers is like 500 million in debt. Idea: Rutgers players pin deli meats to their jerseys that they can give away at halftime. Jersey Mike's Jersey Meats.

Kind of...: Response: Washington does "bring your Husky" to the game promotion. Rutgers players are mauled in reasonably lovable fashion. USC needs, and should earn, a "running to stay in place" win.

#45 Washington AWOOOOOOS (11-10, 3-7) at #59 Northwestern Wildkitties (10-11, 2-8)

8:00 ET, 7:00 GTZ. BTN.

MaximumSam: The Detective takes on Germany. Somebody finally has to.

Kind of...: Not quite a "game recognizes game" matchup, but if Martinelli ceremonially handed over a deerstalker and magnifying glass to Steinbach after the game, it would be kind of cool. In actuality, a pretty good matchup of teams who are probably better than their record, but not better enough to actually make you feel like they are cursed by the gods or anything. Seems likely Collins will continue with his youth movement. Both teams should recall what the Huskers did at the Crown last year, and play this season out with some intentionality.

Non-B1G Games of Interest

San Diego State Aztecs at Utah State Aggies, 1:00, CBS

BYU Cougars at Kansas Jayhawks, 4:30, ESPN

Appalachian State Mountaineers at Troy Trojans, 4:33, ESPN+

George Mason Patriots at St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 6:30,

Kentucky Wildcats at Arkansas Razorbacks, 6:30, ESPN

Murray State Races at Belmont Bruins, 8:00, CBSSN

Auburn Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers, 8:30, ESPN

Saint Mary's Gaels at Gonzaga Bulldogs, 10:30, ESPN

Kind of...: Big game in the MWC as the Aztecs lead the Aggies (and New Mexico) by a game at present. The Dybantsa/Peterson showdown looks set to happen (never mind that Kingston Flemings might be having the best year of any frosh in the Big 12). If you'd rather not feel unclean, there's an important Sun Belt battle occurring at the same time (and yes, tip time IS listed for 4:33!). St. Bonaventure is just the sort of not-as-bad-as-their-record team that could ruin GMU's at-large chances. Murray State is on a three game skid that has seen Belmont take first place in the MVC away from the Racers. Big game tonight. And the best rivalry on the West Coast takes place tonight as the late game (though, if Gonzaga wins, Santa Clara has sole possession of second and a win over the Gaels in hand).

Fun day for hoop in between the huge Friday and Sunday games at the top of the B1G standings. Enjoy!