Big Ten Basketball November 11 Recaps, Previews, and Open Thread

All numbers via Torvik. All predictions not financial advice.

Last Night's Games

Rutgers Scarlet Knights 72, Maine Black Bears 60

Kind of...: If the state school of a heavily forested stated is felled...nah, just not gonna work. Anyway, Rutgers won. Anyway, the 'gers should get to 5-0, then lose to Tennessee. The next night (11-25) vs. Notre Dame is the earliest I expect to really learn much about Rutgers. (And maybe the earliest I'll watch.)

Northwestern Wildcats 110, Cleveland State Vikings 63

Kind of...: Didn't catch any of this, but, wow, that must have been fun for Northwestern fans to experience. Arrinten Page sure looks comfortable. The Wildcats haven't always had 6'11" guys with his overall game. Obviously, tougher games await...like the next four: DePaul, Virginia, South Carolina, and Oklahoma State. KenPom has the Wildcats winning each of them, but 3-1 the likelier overall outcome. Let's see what you've got, Northwestern.

Perpetually Aggrieved Wildcat: Genuinely, that might've been the most fun I've ever had watching the Wildcats in the non-conference. Holy Cross transfer Max Green caught fire in the second half--a logo three just because he could--and a blowout turned into a laugher.

The 'Cats are firing on all cylinders, getting the usual reliable performances from The Detective, and really have found money in Page, whose effort on both ends of the court has been noteworthy. Here comes the stretch that'll tell us just how far Northwestern will go in 2026.

UCLA Bruins 83, West Georgia Wolves 62

Kind of...: No Donovan Dent, no problem. West Georgia shot over 50% from three? Okay, I'm sure Mick thinks there's a problem. Against expectations, more than half the conference if off to a better start than UCLA. Against potential, this team still could grab a top-four bye in the B1G tournament if they gel. Is it just taking time for the pieces to fit? Or are there some real concerns. Well, we'll find out Friday night: UCLA vs. Arizona. Good stuff!

Today's Big Ten Games

#74 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-0) at #4 Michigan Wolverines (6, 2-0)

6:30 ET, FS1

BoilerUp89: I would have killed for games like this last week. This week though, meh.

Kind of...: Yeah, it's solid, nothing more. Chance to see is Michigan looks terrifying, or just really good.

HoustonBoiler: It's an opportunity to see how former Boiler Myles Colvin is doing with his new team.

#248 App State Mountaineers (2-1) at #22 THE Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0)

6:30 ET, B1G+

Kind of...: App State has been semi-frisky on occasion, but this had better be a big win for the Buckeyes.

#201 Navy Midshipmen (1-1) at #99 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0)

6:30 ET, BTN

BoilerUp89: Navy could compete for the Patriot League's auto bid this season. Whether that makes them capable of potentially pulling an upset off in the tournament or not is a valid question. Tune into this one to see if they can keep it close or even win.

Kind of...: The Ed DeChellis Memorial game.

misdreavus79: He retired last season! Who's the Navy coach now? Anyway Penn State still sucks, but they should win this one.

#334 Alcorn State Braves (0-3) at #50 Maryland Terrapins (1-1)

7 ET, B1G+

BoilerUp89: If Maryland wins by less than 25, fire Buzz right there.

Kind of...: The Braves are fresh off a 45-point loss to Minnesota. The bar is set, Buzz.

#351 Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (1-2) at #40 Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0)

8 ET, B1G+

BoilerUp89: Is it the Shore Hawks of Maryland Eastern or the Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore? Does anybody care?

Kind of...: It is the latter. Not saying you should care, but, um, in terms of politics and culture, Maryland contains multitudes. Regardless, the Huskers should roll.

AlmaOtter: Oh, I kind of love the Shore Hawks as a nickname. Damn shame.

#27 Texas Tech Red Raiders (11, 2-0) at #3 Illinois Fighting Illini (14, 2-0)

8:30 ET, FS1

BoilerUp89: Most nights this would be the game of the night. But the Kentucky rivalry game put it in the number 2 slot.

Kind of...: Really good test for the Illini. JT Toppin will probably be the best player on the court, but boy does Illinois look well-rounded. Will be loads of fun I hope.

AlmaOtter: This is the first "real" game of the season for the Illini. Right now they're lights out on offense, scoring exactly 113 in each of the first two games. Let's make it 3 in a row, Illino-ich?

#225 Ball State Cardinals (2-0) at #30 Wisconsin Badgers (24, 2-0)

8:30 ET, BTN

Kind of...: Hopefully Wisconsin puts this to bed early enough that I can cast an eye toward Chambana. The MAC has some decent to good teams this year, but Ball State does not appear to be one of them.

Tuesday's Non-Big Ten Games of Interest

#80 Dayton Flyers at #39 Cincinnati Bearcats, 7 ET, ESPN+
#141 Davidson Wildcats at #189 Charlotte 49ers, 7 ET, ESPN+
#172 La Salle Explorers at #134 Temple Owls, 7 ET, ESPN+
#79 Florida State Seminoles at #6 Florida Gators, 7 ET, SECN
#122 Murray State Racers at #57 SMU Mustangs, 8 ET, ACCN Extra
#163 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at #144 Rice Owls, 8 ET, ESPN+
#11 Kentucky Wildcats at #7 Louisville Cardinals, 8 ET, ESPN
#68 Memphis Tigers at #46 Mississippi Traitors, 9 ET, SECN
#23 Creighton Bluejays at #15 Gonzaga Bulldogs, 10 ET, ESPN

BoilerUp89: Some really intriguing games tonight. Dayton and Cincinnati battle to be the best of Xavier's rivals. Creighton & Gonzaga in a battle of the Jesuits. A crosstown Big Five game in Philly. The big game tonight though is Kentucky at Louisville. I wonder if Mark Pope managed to avoid jury duty?

Kind of...: If Kevin Willard isn't enough reason to hate Villanova, their murder of the Big 5 in Philly is another one. I live near-ish Philly and nobody under 60 cares about La Salle/Temple tonight. Still, get to the Palestra at least once if you have the chance. Anyway, Creighton/Gonzaga at 10:00 is a good way to cap off the night. Can Creighton hang? If so, laugh at Iowa for losing Freeman and Dix. If not, laugh at Freeman and Dix. Win/win.

MaximumSam: Somewhat annoyed that it's Veterans Day but nothing starts until 7 pm. Respect the veterans and put some games on during the day.

HoustonBoiler: I will second the suggestion regarding seeing a game at the Palestra. It's a fantastic venue and I attended many games there while I was an undergraduate student.