Big Ten Basketball November 25 Recaps, Previews, and Open Thread

Happy Feast Week everyone!

All numbers via Torvik. All predictions not financial advice.

Yesterday's Games

Tennessee Volunteers 85, Rutgers Scarlet Knights 60

BoilerUp89: This was a college basketball game played in Vegas in front of dozens of fans. Rutgers looks disjointed and without a plan.

MaximumSam: I went to Vegas last year, and you know, it kind of sucked. The noise and debauchery have been replaced by $28 hot dogs. I can go to Costco and watch basketball on my phone, gamble, and get a hot dog for $1.50.

Kind of...: My BoilerUp colleague has been clear in his disdain for the Players Era event. This is moral and right, and I wish to join him in this sentiment. This game made it easy.

USC Trojans 70, Boise State Broncos 67

MaximumSam: Former Terp Rodney Rice carried the Trojans to victory. He led everyone with 27 points plus had the game winning play to score and get fouled at the end. Also fun to watch both coaches and Jay Bilas constantly complain about the refs.

Kind of...: The stathead crew (I'm affiliated) loves USC, but this is a second straight narrow escape for the Trojans. Can we call them flaky?

Illinois Fighting Illini 87, UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 73

MaximumSam: The Illini couldn't quite break away from the Vaqueros until the end of the game. But the game was notable in that the Illini seem to be fully healthy now, not counting Ty Rodgers, who may not play at all this season.

Kind of...: Vaqueros vanquished by Illini. Let's not think too hard about the historical resonance of that sentence.

Evidence we're still early in the season. This win dropped Illinois from 7 to 14 in KenPom

Auburn Tigers 84, Oregon Ducks 73

MaximumSam: The Ducks let the game slip away from them at end, but 18 turnovers doomed them. A combined 19 points from Shelstad and Bittle didn't help either.

Kind of: My BoilerUp colleague has been clear in his disdain for the Players Era event. This is moral and right, and I wish to join him in this sentiment. This game wasn't compelling enough to move me on that view.

If you think Dana Altman still has the magic, you're not worried. If you go by numbers, Oregon is simply not tournament quality. I'll split the difference, but a loss tonight will make it really hard on the former group.

Michigan Wolverines 94, San Diego State Aztecs 54

MaximumSam: Pretty much an evisceration from the jump. The Wolverines scored 94 with a high scorer of Yaxel Rose with 15. Pretty impressive whooping.

My BoilerUp colleague has been clear in his disdain for the Players Era event. This is moral and right, and I wish to join him in this sentiment. This game made it easy. The Aztecs should have to give back money for this atrocity.

But they'll likely be fired up for their game against Oregon. Be careful Ducks (see my comment above RE: Oregon).

Maryland Terrapins 74, UNLV Running Rebels 67

BoilerUp89: Congrats to Payne on crossing the 1000 career points threshold.

MaximumSam: I can't believe Payne not only played, but played well. What a journey.

Kind of...: My BoilerUp colleague has been clear in his disdain for the Players Era event. This is moral and right, and I wish to join him in this sentiment. This game occurred too late for me to be tempted by it.

Today's Big Ten Games

#17 Michigan State Spartans (AP#5, 5-0) v. #208 East Carolina Pirates (2-3)

Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division
1 ET, FS2

MaximumSam: The Pirates have already lost by double digits to the trifecta of Richmond, Charleston Southern, and UNC Wilmington. They seem due.

Kind of...: Due for what? To get dunked on into oblivion by Coen Carr? Yeah, probably.

#128 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-2) v. #68 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-2)

Players Era Festival
1 ET, TNT

BoilerUp89: Notre Dame is only favored by 6 which surprises me. Notre Dame isn't elite at anything, but they are a very good defense rebounding team. That's a problem for Rutgers who can't make shots and needs offensive rebounds.

Kind of...: My BoilerUp colleague has been clear in his disdain for the Players Era event. This is moral and right, and I wish to join him in this sentiment. This game makes it easy. I, a basketball fan, would rather watch a mid-week slap fight between two middle-of-the pack MAC football teams. Okay, not really. But I'm only checking the score for this, even if it's close late.

#26 USC Trojans (5-0) v. #94 Seton Hall Pirates (6-0)

Maui Invitational Winners' Bracket
5 ET, ESPN

MaximumSam: USC has just survived their past two games, while Seton Hall just put the screws to North Carolina State. For my interest only, they have a wing named Jacob Dar, who I hope makes a shot because I want to yell DAARRRRRR at the television.

Kind of...: Seton Hall was atrocious last year, but Shaheen Holloway was the coach of the Saint Peter's team that made the Elite Eight. Maybe beating NC State--and Will Wade--yesterday was just a quick cameo by karma. I'm curious about this one.

#252 Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers (1-5) at #22 THE Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0)

6:30 ET, BTN

MaximumSam: This game is on during my kids' taekwondo class, because of course it is. Every time slot available and they pick this one. Good job Buckeyes.

Kind of...: I have no curiosity about this one.

#262 Boston Terriers (3-3) at #99 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-1)

7 ET, Peacock

MaximumSam: We last saw Boston getting whooped by Northwestern. But they did narrowly beat Harvard just like the Nits did, so maybe this could be a game.

Kind of...: Not much to say, so a departure. If we're pointing out great names, Tunji Awojobi ('93-'97) is undoubtedly the best player in BU history. He remains the career leader in points, rebounds, and blocks. He went on to a long international career. He currently needs a kidney and is on dialysis. Life goes quick. Be grateful and enjoy your time.

#72 Kansas State Wildcats (5-1) at #27 Indiana Hoosiers (25, 5-0)

8 ET, FS1

BoilerUp89: This is an interesting benchmark game for Indiana. Marquette appears to be bad. Kansas State played Nebraska close. Is Indiana better than Nebraska? Worse? About the same? Indiana has been pretty good shooting threes this season. Kansas State has been even better.

Kind of...: Not a trap game, but Indiana has more to lose than to win here.

#3 Auburn North Wolverines (7, 5-0) v. #24 Auburn South Tigers (21, 5-1)

Players Era Festival
8:30 ET, TNT

MaximumSam: Still trying to figure out Auburn, who nearly lost to Bethune-Cookman, nearly beat Houston, and handled Oregon fairly well. But then, what is Oregon? Forward Keyshawn Hall has been great, but he's about see a lot more height. One thing is for sure: the winner gets to carry the Auburn mantle for the rest of the season.

Kind of...: My BoilerUp colleague has been clear in his disdain for the Players Era event. This is moral and right, and I wish to join him in this sentiment. This game only tempts me minimally. But I'm sure I'd watch it if were in Maui.

Evidence we're still early, #2: Michigan's win last night sent them from 15 to 5 in KenPom.

#137 Winthrop Eagles (3-3) at #35 Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0)

8:30 ET, BTN

BoilerUp89: Skip Prosser's son tries to knock off Nebraska and end Division I's longest active men's basketball winning streak. Winthrop's not awful so Nebraska can't overlook them completely.

Kind of...: BoilerUp89 can steal my bit, but not my style. The Huskers are putting THE NATION'S LONGEST WINNING STREAK tonight against the Eagles.

#62 Maryland Terrapins (5-1) v. #6 Gonzaga Bulldogs (12, 6-0)

Players Era Festival
9:30 ET, truTV

MaximumSam: I still can't believe Pharrel Payne is back already. If you haven't seen it, he turned into Gumby after a dunk and everyone thought he was done for life. He missed one game! Then had 20 and 8 against UNLV. The going gets tougher tonight though.

Kind of...: My BoilerUp colleague has been clear in his disdain for the Players Era event. This is moral and right, and I wish to join him in this sentiment. This game does not tempt me very much. But dammit...

I watched the shit out of Iowa State/St. John's and Alabama/Gonzaga. I'M SORRY!!! Iowa State is non-B1G rooting interest (screw Iowa), and how do you pass up the chance to see Pitino get sad? And, wow, Gonzaga is LEGIT!.

Please forgive me, BoilerUp89, and other upright hoops fans everywhere.

BoilerUp89: Zaga is good

#46 Mississippi Traitors (5-0) v. #25 Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0)

Acrisure Classic
9:30 ET, CBSSN

BoilerUp89: Chris Beard remains a terrible person. This is the type of game Iowa needs to win to be a NCAA tournament team.

Kind of...: What he said. Beard is awful, but a very good coach of defense. Really good test for McCollum's offense. I will note that I touted Alvaro Folgueiras in our preseason package, and that, in just above 20 mins/game, his ORtg is currently 171.5, #2 nationally. Is he that good? No. Is he that well fitted for McCollum's offense, and Stirtz running it? Yep.

That said, I still think Mississippi pulls this one out. Prove me wrong, Hawkeyes!

#18 UCLA Bruins (18, 5-1) v. #89 California Golden Bears (5-1)

Mizzen+Main Empire Classic, San Francisco
10 ET, ESPN

MaximumSam: Cal sports an Old Friend in Michigan transfer Justin Pippen, plus a little scoring guard and fun name in Dai Dai Ames. Not sure they know Elbow enough to compete with UCLA though.

Kind of...: Cal hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2016. Jason Kidd isn't walking through that door. Sharif Abdur-Rahim isn't walking through that door.

#65 San Diego State Aztecs (2-2) v. #39 Oregon Ducks (4-1)

Players Era Festival
11 ET, TNT

MaximumSam: This game is being played in Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay. The cheapest ticket I found was 125 bucks, which may sound like a lot but is also about how much four Michelob ULTRAs cost at the Mandalay Bay bar. Anyways, I've crossed Vegas off the vacation list, even though I got married there.

Kind of...: My BoilerUp colleague has been clear in his disdain for the Players Era event. This is moral and right, and I wish to join him in this sentiment. Maximum Sam's data only drives that home. Cheapest ticket is $125??? Those arena's looked 25%-50% full on the occasions where I lapsed and tuned in. What horseshit.

Tuesday's Non-Big Ten Games of Interest

Players Era Festival (non-bracketed)

#15 Iowa State Cyclones (5-0) v. #33 Creighton Bluejays (3-2), 2 ET, truTV
#53 Syracuse Orange (4-1) v. #19 Kansas Jayhawks (4-2), 3:30 ET, TNT
#13 St. John's Red Storm (14, 3-2) v. #34 Baylor Bears (4-0), 4:30 ET, truTV
#11 Tennessee Volunteers (17, 6-0) v. #2 Houston Cougars (3, 6-0), 6 ET, TNT
#92 UNLV Running Rebels (3-3) v. #20 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-2), 11:59 ET, truTV

BoilerUp89: Tennessee/Houston looks like the only super entertaining game today in the Player's Era. Of course that's also a defensive slug fest of a matchup. On another note, if Northwestern has any of those tarps left over, they should send them to Vegas. Attendance looks terrible.

Kind of...: Right! See above. $125 for a ticket to a half-full arena? And do we know who's sponsoring this? This either has FyreFest written all over it, or some deeply immoral entity is staying out of sight. Or both.

Tennessee/Houston is the headliner. I might lapse and see how the Cyclones do against former Hawkeyes Josh Dix and Owen Freeman. Creighton is in big trouble already.

And, if you like feeling morally compromised, give some thought to whom you'd rather win between Baylor and Rick Pitino.

Maui Invitational - 2nd Round

#38 North Carolina State Wolfpack (23, 4-1) v. #50 Boise State Broncos (4-2), Losers' Bracket, 2:30 ET, ESPN2
#159 Washington State Cougars (3-3) v. #82 Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1), Winners' Bracket, 8 ET, ESPN
#36 Texas Longhorns (4-2) at Chaminade Silverswords, Losers' Bracket, 10 ET, ESPN2

BoilerUp89: Poor Chaminade couldn't maintain their 20 point lead over Washington State. USC should probably be the favorite in this tournament at this point, but their win over Boise State wasn't truly inspiring.

Kind of...: Last night ASU repped the Big 12, beating former member Texas. Hopefully Wazzu does somthing similar tonight on behalf of the Pac-12. But it looks unlikely.

ESPN Events Invitational - 2nd Round

#134 Towson Tigers (4-2) v. #67 Liberty Donkeys (5-0), Winners' Bracket, 12 ET, ESPNU
#135 Rhode Island Rams (4-2) v. #209 Vermont Catamounts (4-2), Losers' Bracket, 2:30 ET, ESPN2
#127 UC San Diego Tritons (5-0) v. #122 Bradley Braves (3-3), Winners' Bracket, 5 ET, ESPN2
#140 Temple Owls (3-2) v. #230 Princeton Tigers (3-4), Losers' Bracket, 7:30 ET, ESPNU

Kind of...: Neither Bradley nor UC San Diego looks like an at-large team, but dammit, that games deserves your attention at 5:00! Figure out who you'll be cheering for in the title game against (likely) Liberty.

Cancun Challenge (6 teams, non-bracketed, day 2)

#237 Samford Bulldogs (3-4) v. #320 Georgia State (1-5), 3 ET
#126 Utah Valley Wolverines (3-2) v. #125 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (4-2), 6 ET
#113 New Mexico State Aggies (4-0) v. #110 UC Irvine Anteaters (3-3), 8:30 ET

Kind of...: No bracket, no comment.

Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division (non-bracketed)

#123 St. Bonaventure Bonnies (5-0) v. #21 North Carolina Tarheels (16, 5-0), 6 ET, FS1

Kind of...: Bob Lanier was better than any big man UNC ever sent to the NBA.

Acrisure Classic - Semifinals

#104 Utah Utes (5-1) v. #91 Grand Canyon Antelopes (3-2), 11:59 ET, CBSSN

Kind of...: Fake college a slight favorite against tradition rich program in major conference. Whatever.

Sunshine Slam - Beach Division Placement Games

#177 Ohio Bobcats (1-5) v. #119 Loyola Marymount Lions (6-1), 3rd Place Game, 5 ET, CBSSN
#83 George Mason Patriots (6-0) v. #124 FAU Owls (5-1), Championship, 7:30 ET, CBSSN

Kind of...: Loyola Marymount wasn't getting an at-large anyway, but the loss to FAU pretty much sealed it. You WCC pecking order is pretty clearly the boring one: Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, San Francisco, Santa Clara.

Cayman Islands Classic (Round Robin, day 3)

#139 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (4-2) v. #81 McNeese Cowboys (5-1), 5 ET
#51 George Washington Revolutionaries (6-1) v. #121 Murray State Racers (4-3), 7:30 ET

Kind of...: So is McNeese State fun because they're a mid-major who could pull an upset in March? Or are they still marked by the stench of Will Wade? Help me out here.

Jacksonville Classic (non-bracketed)

#287 UNC Greensboro Spartans (1-5) v. #260 Delaware Blue Hens (1-4), 1:30 ET
#228 UTEP Miners (3-3) v. #111 UAB Blazers (5-2), 4 ET
#150 William & Mary Tribe (5-2) v. $168 Abilene Christian Wildcats (4-2), 6:30 ET
#239 UTSA Roadrunners (3-3) v. #223 Georgia Southern Eagles (3-4), 9 ET

Kind of...: Sorry, but there are limits to what even somebody like I can pay attention to. If you catch me after a third drink, we can discuss UTEP, UAB, and CBB in the 1980s...

Acrisure Holiday Invitational - Semifinals

#130 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4-1) v. #183 San Jose State Spartans (2-3), 1:30 ET, CBSSN
#85 Northern Iowa Panthers (5-0) v. #193 Loyola Chicago Ramblers (1-5), 4 ET, CBSSN

Kind of...: In the name of all that is holy, MVC co-favorite Northern Iowa needs to stomp the shit out of turncoat Loyola Chicago. (And, generally, things aren't looking great for Drew Valentine.)

Coconut Hoops - Tarpon Bay Division (non-bracketed)

#131 Kennesaw State Owls (4-1) v. #321 Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (2-5), 4:30 ET
#180 Rice Owls (2-5) v. #164 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (4-2), 7 ET

Kind of...: Hopefully we can get a definitive decision on the great owls vs. eagles deabate, but FGCU could cause a split verdict.