Big Ten Basketball November 14-15 Recaps, Previews, and Open Thread

A huge road win for Purdue and loaded weekend on tap.

All numbers via Torvik. All predictions not financial advice.

Last Night's Games

Michigan State Spartans 79, San Jose Spartans 60

MaximumSam: Sparty three point watch: 6/25. Currently 21% for the season. Good Sparty.

Kind of...: It's early, but let's talk KenPom because there has been movement. Sparty is 8th in the conference at #33, in part of a "mid" group that includes #32 UCLA and #34 Ohio State. But, did you see that Coen Carr dunk? [I know his son is not longer in East Lansing, but Carr is the true inheritor of Jason Richardson's mantle.]

HoustonBoiler: Sparty on Sparty!

Purdue Boilermakers 87, Alabama Crimson Tide 80

MaximumSam: We weren't sure what to expect after a shaky outing against Oakland, but with Trey Kaufman-Renn back, this is the Purdue we were waiting for. The Boilers dominated the glass, Braden Smith led all scorers with 29 points, and Purdue came out with a hard fought road win.

Kind of...: This basically went the way I predicted yesterday. Purdue didn't slow it down, but it was played at their tempo. Purdue is now #5 in KenPom, right behind #4 Illinois, the two clear leaders according to his rankings. (Alabama is #24, so time will tell if this is a truly excellent win, or just a very good one.)

BoilerUp89: This is Purdue’s first non-conference road win at a AP top 10 opponent since 1982. It's also just the third such game they've played since then.

I owe TKR an apology after this game. I've long been critical of his rebounding and defense and both of those were great from him in this game. Perhaps he just needed to move back to the PF spot. Spacing didn’t appear to be an issue on offense. Braden Smith was awesome, TKR was awesome, and everyone else did their jobs. The rebounding turnaround was fantastic to see.

HoustonBoiler: What a difference having Trey Kaufman-Renn back in the lineup! Plus, Purdue played with much more energy than when they faced Oakland. Both of these factors led to Purdue dominating the boards. TKR carried the Boilers in the first half, scoring 17 points and corralling 8 rebounds, while Braden Smith really got it going in the second and finished with 29 points. TKR finished the game with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. We missed you Trey!

Friday's Big Ten Games

#294 Lehigh Mountain Hawks (1-2) at #93 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0)

6:30 ET, B1G+

MaximumSam: Brett Reed has coached Lehigh since 2008. So, you know, consistency. They are led by big man Hank Alvey. We need more Hanks around - a very underrated name.

Kind of...: I second the Hank love. As for CBB, never forget.

Rutgers is #84 in KenPom, three spots ahead of Penn State, well behind anybody else in the conference. They still should route Lehigh.

#103 Illinois State Redbirds (1-1) v #24 USC Trojans (2-0)

Hall of Fame Series - Los Angeles, Intuit Dome
7:30 ET, Peacock

BoilerUp89: Why are they playing at 4:30 local time on a Friday?

Kind of...: Silly BoilerBot. When Peacock says jump, the only answer if "how high." USC is actually in the good shape on KenPom, 6th in the conference at #21 not far behind Michigan (#15), Wisconsin (#16), and Indiana (!) (#17).

BoilerUp89: After finishing building out the skeleton for this article I realize its the first game of a double header but still don't understand the timing. Illinois State has the injuries that lingered going into the season. I think they are healthy now but probably still figuring things out due to missed practice time.

#96 Xavier Musketeers (2-1) at #34 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0)

8 ET, FS1

MaximumSam: Old Boss Friend Richard Pitino landed at Xavier in the Wheel 'O Coaches, and it's been a shaky start. They've already been whooped at home by Santa Clara, and now they go on the road. But they have a strong contender for Name of the Year in sophomore guard All Wright.

Kind of...: True story, All Wright has a brother named Always, who plays for UT-Rio Grande Valley. I think for each, it is his middle name. Anyway, All was a high-volume frosh for Valpo last year. They were pretty bad, finishing 11th in the MVC. But at Arch Madness, All went off, scoring 75 points in 3 games as Valpo made a Cinderella run to the semis. I'm sure that proved a profitable three days for Mr. Wright.

KenPom has Iowa at 41, 11th in the B1G, one spot behind Northwestern, four ahead of Nebraska, and eight ahead of Washington in what would appear to be the "not all of these teams can get at-large bids, right?" tier. Incidentally, Oregon is 14th at 47, just ahead of 49 Maryland. The Ducks have not impressed thus far.

BoilerUp89: Xavier has been awful to start the season. They looked bad in their two wins too. There just isnt a ton of talent on their roster to work with.

#55 Northwestern Wildcats (3-0) at #90 DePaul Blue Demons (2-1)

8:30 ET, truTV

MaximumSam: The Detective takes on Old Boss Friend Chris Holtmann. Depaul has improved since the Holt Man took over, but they still aren't good, as evidenced by them losing to #320 Buffalo. They have a couple Old Friends of their own in former Hoosiers C.J. Gunn and Kaleb Banks. Torvik says this is a true pick 'em.

Kind of...: Here is your Torvik vs. KenPom showcase. To KenPom the #40 Wildcats are 6-point favorite over the #114 Blue Demons. That might be enough for me to pay attention.

BoilerUp89: Rivalry games are special. Throw the records out the window.

#4 Michigan Wolverines (6, 2-0) at #74 TCU Horned Frogs (2-1)

9 ET, ESPN2

MaximumSam: The Traveling Giant Show goes on the road to TCU, who dropped their first game against New Orleans but did beat Lamar. Their top minutes guy is Old Friend Brock Harding from Iowa. They aren't a real big team, so this is another chance for Aday Mara to roam around tossing balls into the stands.

Kind of...: One would think the Wolverines will come put with something to prove, but KenPom--who has Michigan a lot further down, at #15--only sees them as a 7 point favorite.

#238 Colgate Raiders (1-2) at #3 Illinois Fighting Illini (14, 3-0)

9 ET, B1G+

Kind of...: This game has been rated NC-17.

#9 Arizona Wildcats (5, 3-0) at #20 UCLA Bruins (15, 3-0)

Hall of Fame Series - Los Angeles, Intuit Dome
10 ET, Peacock

MaximumSam: The Cats opened eyes with an opening win over Florida, and haven't been bothered since. UCLA's existence has been mostly about being bothered. They are tasked with stuffing freshman Koa Peat into a locker - he had 30 against Florida, but he hasn't seen a Mick Cronin all Elbow defense. Torvik goes Arizona, 77-75.

Kind of...: Here's BoilerBot's answer as to why USC is playing at 4:30 local time. They're the opening act for this game. This is certainly worth watching. Arizona has a habit of better in November than in March.

BoilerUp89: Accidentally cut off the end of Kind of...'s preview here and can't undo. This is the game of the night. UCLA has an opportunity to get a statement win and show they aren't just playing for 4th in the B1G.

#52 Washington Huskies (2-1) at #164 Washington State Cougars (1-2)

11 ET, ESPN+

MaximumSam: It's a Rivalry Game! Though Wazzu is not exactly on a heater, having lost their first two games to Idaho and Davidson. What they lack in talent they make up for in awesome names, such as Ace Glass III and Tomas Thrastarson. I'll even give them Eemeli Yalaho - that just sounds fun to say.

Kind of...: Washington the clear favorite, but...pick your favorite announcer voice...this one's at the Paloose.

Friday's Non-Big Ten Games of Interest

#176 Furman Paladins at #94 Northern Iowa Panthers, 7 ET, ESPN+
#92 High Point Panthers at #123 UAB Blazers, 7:30 ET, ESPN+
#83 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at #31 Georgia Bulldogs, 9 ET, SECN
#116 Troy Trojans at #112 Loyola Marymount Lions, 10 ET, ESPN+
#91 North Texas Mean Green at #39 St. Mary's Gaels, 10 ET, ESPN+

Kind of...: Northern Iowa is currently your MVC favorite. Ben Jacobson is in his 20th year of a very successful run with the Panthers. But the last NCAA appearance was 10 seasons ago. If you care about such things, he's a decent guy to root for.

Saturday's Big Ten Games

#99 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) v. #194 La Salle Explorers (2-0)

Philadelphia, Xfinity Mobile Arena
1 ET, Peacock

MaximumSam: Can the Nits keep the undefeated streak going? La Salle is coming off a whopping by Temple, but they do have a freshman point guard with an assist rate over 40% in Ashton Walker. Swirlie time!

Kind of...: LaSalle lost to Temple by 27, but I still think this might be a game. Numbers don't suggest that, so just call it a hunch.

#54 Maryland Terrapins (2-1) at #53 Marquette Golden Eagles (3-1)

2 ET, Peacock

MaximumSam: Pretty evenly matched, if you believe the Torvik rankings. We already saw Marquette get squashed by the High Flying Hoosiers, and they went to double OT against Southern. Maryland couldn't shoot straight against Georgetown, so this might be a big muck fest.

Kind of...: KenPom has it #51 Marquette vs. #59 Maryland, so it sees there is general agreement. Wonder what kind of reception former Marquette coach Buzz Williams will receive (it's been a while).

BoilerUp89: I remember the reception Matta got at Xavier when he returned after 15+ years. It was mostly polite with a smattering of boos. The Xavier fanbase has a weird thing with OSU though - much hate and love depending on football interests.

#40 Oklahoma Sooners (2-1) v. #41 Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0)

Sioux Falls, Sanford Pentagon
7 ET, BTN

MaximumSam: Another Torvik special. The Sooners are led by point guard Nigel Pack. Nigel Pack? Wasn't he like a big time senior transfer two years ago for Miami? Well, apparently he is in Year Six and still going strong. They also sport consonant lover Xzayvier Brown in the backcourt. Torvik says Sooners, 78-77.

Kind of...: The Huskers put the nations longest win streak on the line in lovely Sioux Falls. KenPom likes the Huskers by a bucket, so your stathead bragging rights are definitely on the line. (I like Nebraska here too.)

#332 Green Bay Phoenix (1-3) at #72 Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1)

9 ET, BTN

Kind of...: As a loyal Wisconsin fan, I have no problem cheering for Minnesota if Doug Gottlieb is on the other sideline. And no problem laughing at Minnesota if they somehow lose this game. They won't. KenPom call for a 21 point margin, but I'm thinking 30-plus.

Saturday's Non-Big Ten Games of Interest

#45 Clemson Tigers at #69 (nice) Georgetown Hoyas, Noon ET, Peacock
#80 Butler Bulldogs at #58 SMU Mustangs, 2 ET, the CW Network
#110 Boston College Eagles at #122 Temple Owls, 2 ET, ESPN+
#153 Bowling Green Falcons at #133 Davidson Wildcats, 6 ET, ESPN+
#12 BYU Cougars v. #7 UConn Huskies, 7 ET, FOX
#115 Nevada Wolf Pack at #79 Santa Clara Broncos, 7 ET, ESPN+
#82 Grand Canyon Antelopes at #73 Saint Louis Billikens, 8 ET, ESPN+
#105 Duquesne Dukes at #49 Villanova Wildcats, 8 ET, truTV
#87 New Mexico Lobos at #120 New Mexico State Aggies, 9 ET, ESPN+
#129 Utah Valley Wolverines at #215 Fresno State Bulldogs, 10 ET, ESPN+
#117 Bradley Braves at #63 San Francisco Dons, 10 ET, ESPN+

Kind of...: Beyond the clear BYU/UConn headliners, a lot of competitive looking games. Maryland looks iffy, but maybe G'town's defeat of them says something about the Hoyas? They can prove it Saturday. Are either SMU or Butler at-large quality? We'll see. Preseason MVC favorite Bradley is staring at a 1-3 start.

BoilerUp89: I think Georgetown is a tournament team but they've got to prove it to a ton of people. Its a big day for WCC 3 bid hopes.

HoustonBoiler: This is an opportunity for Georgetown to show people that they're improved and perhaps ready to make a little noise in the Big East.