Big Ten Basketball November 18 Recaps, Previews, and Open Thread

All numbers via Torvik. All predictions not financial advice.

Last Night's Games

Wisconsin Badgers 94, SIU Edwardsville Cougars 69

MaximumSam: Mildly competitive for a half, before Wisconsin ran away in the second. Well, perhaps Wisconsin trotted at a reasonable speed away from the Cougars. That is probably more Wisconsin friendly.

Kind of...: Whatever the speed, Wisconsin is averaging 93.3 ppg. Even against non-conference competition, that's a lot of points. That said, it's only good for 38th in the country (i.e., NOT the top 10%). So, yeah, scoring is up generally.

Oregon Ducks 87, Oregon State Beavers 75

MaximumSam: The Ducks had perhaps their best game of the young season. They were looking for that third guy and Kwame Evans showed up with 16 points and 14 rebounds. For Oregon State's part, Yaak Yaak and Beaver Munch both fouled out - obviously a little too excited.

Kind of...: I don't know if you're aware of the Players Era Festival next week, but there will be nine games, from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm on both next Monday and Tuesday on TNT/TruTV (as well third games for the teams with opponents TBD spread out over Wed and Thurs.) Definitely a made-for-TV spectacle, but an intriguing one, dammit. And Oregon is an intriguing participant. (Maryland, Michigan, and Rutgers are also participating.) Next Monday they play Auburn, and next Tuesday it's San Diego State (who KenPom has ranked one spot ahead of Auburn, at 29). Good chance for the Ducks to build a non-conference profile. But things could go sideways in a hurry, too. Really interesting situation.

BoilerUp89: Don't get me started on how the Player's Era Festival is ruining Feast Week.

Tuesday's Big Ten Games

#23 Michigan State Spartans (3-0) v. #11 Kentucky Wildcats (3-1)

Champions Classic
6:30 ET, ESPN

misdreavus79: I always enjoy that Michigan State is good for at least three high profile games a year.

MaximumSam: Kentucky has had three layups plus a close loss at Louisville. Could be a fun game - both of these teams like to attack the basket, and the Wildcats are currently first in the country in two point percentage. Torvik goes Kentucky, 76-74.

Kind of...: KenPom has Kentucky by six as he's pretty high on the Wildcats (#4). In essence, then, a no-lose situation for Sparty. And another chance to track their most unusual relationship with the 3-point shoot.

#299 American Eagles (2-2) at #97 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0)

6:30 ET, BTN

misdreavus79: Yeah don't look at us look at Rutgers with their soft schedule they've been doing it for years!

Kind of...: [purposely left empty]

#320 Chicago State Cougars (0-4) at #77 Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-1)

8 ET, B1G+

misdreavus79: Thanks Minnesota for struggling with freaking Green Bay you cost me 20 dollars.

Kind of...: Oh my. What kind of degenerate is my co-author? $20 on a game involving Green Bay?

#181 SEMO Redhawks (1-3) at #34 Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0)

8:30 ET, BTN

misdreavus79: I have yet to watch an Iowa game this season. Let's keep it that way.

Kind of...: Not me, I'm all in on observing the McCollum era. Stirtz is worth the price of admission alone. I won't say he's better than Braden Smith (though I am ready to say he's a better pro prospect), but I am very glad Purdue and Iowa are playing twice this year.

#163 Southern Jaguars (2-2) at #49 Washington Huskies (3-1)

9:30 ET, Peacock

Kind of...: I'm not going to pretend that I'm going to watch this entire game, but I'm going to keep touting Hannes Steinbach. Best frosh in the conference so far, and not particularly close.

#263 Sacramento State Hornets (3-2) at #20 UCLA Bruins (3-1)

Empire Classic - Campus Game
10:30 ET, BTN

Kind of...: Congrats on making the, um, championship game, Hornets. Your coach (Mike Bibby) and GM (Shaq) must be so proud. And what is THAT relationship like? I'm guessing the 2002 Western Conference Finals don't come up in conversation much...

Today's Non-Big Ten Games of Interest

Champions Classic
#17 Kansas Jayhawks v. #2 Duke Blue Devils, 9 ET, ESPN

#153 East Carolina Pirates at #131 UNC Wilmington Seahawks, 7 ET, FloSports
#133 Towson Tigers at #158 James Madison Dukes, 7 ET, ESPN+
#141 Rhode Island Rams at #79 Yale Bulldogs, 8 ET, ESPN+
#105 Wichita State Shockers at #52 Boise State Broncos, 9 ET
#137 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at #216 Fresno State Bulldogs, 9 ET

HoustonBoiler: Can the meteor show up for once at the Champions Classic?

Kind of...: MWC could really use a Boise State win. A-10 would love a Wichita State road victory. Pretty intriguing game in the non-power conference at-large race. If cheering for Ivy League schools and thinking of them as "underdogs" is you think, be my guest. I'll wait for the NCAA draw on that one.