Around the Big Ten

By Logan Harper

Fresh off another holiday season, here is another installment of “Around the Big Ten.” With conference play set to begin for the teams, it seems Christmas is still just right around the corner for Big Ten basketball fanatics. Let’s take a look and here’s wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

ILLINOIS
After being upset by UI-Chicago in Chicago, the Illini were ready to bounce back against the Missouri Tigers in the annual Braggin’ Rights game. Things did not play out the way the Illini had hoped for, as the Tigers chewed up Illinois 75-64. Missouri has now won two straight games in the rivalry after dropping the nine previous meetings between the schools. Mike Davis led the Illini with 17 points as Illinois falls to 10-3 on the year. The Illini will travel to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes to open up conference play on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00.

INDIANA
For the Hoosiers, the Las Vegas Classic was an opportunity to gain respect the program has longed for the past two…going on three seasons. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the road woes continued. In the first game of the Vegas road trip, the Hoosiers faced the Panthers of Northern Iowa. Derek Elston once again got off to a fiery start for IU, scoring 15 of his career-high 19 points in the first half of play. Behind a scorching 50 percent shooting performance from deep, UNI held a 13 point lead at the break over the Hoosiers. The Hoosiers would slowly rally in the second half, eventually tying the game at 59 thanks to a Christian Watford basket with just over 2:30 to play. The Panthers would answer with an 8-2 scoring run to down the Hoosiers 67-61. In the consolation game of the Classic, IU met assistant Steve McClain’s old team, the Buffaloes of Colorado. Once again, poor shooting plagued the Hoosiers, who shot just 41 percent from the floor. Jordan Hulls led IU with 17 points, but Colorado was too much and prevailed 78-69. One thing that Hoosier fans may notice is the lack of screen play. The guards need help finding a shot. Roth, Hulls, Sheehey, and Creek have to get some opportunities to come off of the screen to find the open shot. Without this, the Hoosiers struggles may continue. IU hosts Penn State to open up conference play today at 6:30. Hey Hoosier fans, is it 2012 yet?

IOWA
The Hawkeyes finished up non-conference play against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs last Tuesday. Fueled by 22 points from Matt Gatens, Iowa tamed the Bulldogs 77-58 on Fran McCaffery Bobble head Night. Iowa will welcome Illinois to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday to open Big Ten play. Tip is at 8:00.

MICHIGAN
The Wolverines took on the Bryant Bulldogs last Thursday at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. The Bulldogs, who have just one victory all season, were victims of a marvelous shooting performance from the Wolverines, who hit 16 three-pointers in the contest, tying a school record. Darius Morris led the Wolverines with a solid double-double performance, logging 26 points and 12 assists to take down Bryant 87-71. Can the Wolverines stay hot from deep? We will see, as they welcome Purdue to Ann Arbor on Tuesday. Tip is scheduled for 2:00.

MICHIGAN STATE
The Spartan’s early season struggles continued on Wednesday night, as the Texas Longhorns stampeded into East Lansing to gore the Spartans. Texas became just the second non-Big Ten team to beat the Spartans on their home floor since 2003. Behind 21 points from Jordan Hamilton and a 29 percent shooting performance from the Spartans, Texas succeeded 67-55 drop the Spartans to 10-4 on the year. Kalin Lucas led the Spartans with 17 points. MSU welcomes Minnesota to the Breslin Center on Friday to open Big Ten play. Tip is at 4:00.

MINNESOTA
Minnesota welcomed the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State to Williams Arena for their final tune-up before the Big Ten season begins. Led by Colton Iverson and Devoe Joseph’s 15 points, the Gophers were able to defeat the Jackrabbits 85-73. Bench scoring proved to be a large factor in the final outcome as the Gopher’s bench outscored the Jackrabbit bench 36-6. Minnesota travels to Madison to face the Wisconsin Badgers to open up the Big Ten season on Tuesday. Tip is set for 7:00.

NORTHWESTERN
After defeating St. Francis (NY) in Madison Square Garden last Monday, the Wildcats faced the St. John’s Red Storm, in what was really a home game for the Red Storm at the Garden. The Wildcats stayed close in the first half, but slowly fizzled down the stretch to fall to St. John’s 85-69, picking up their first loss of the season. John Shurna scored a game-high 28 points in the loss. The Wildcats went back to Evanston to welcome Mount St. Mary’s on Thursday. Behind a balanced scoring attack which included 16 points from Drew Crawford and 13 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists from John Shurna, the Wildcats rolled to a 70-47 victory. Northwestern will head to West Lafayette to face Purdue on Friday. Tip is at 11:00 in the morning.

OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are rolling, and they proved it last Tuesday night once again against UNC Asheville that they are the cream of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes rolled over Asheville 96-49 behind 29 points from David Lighty and 16 boards from Jared Sullinger. The Buckeyes then welcomed upset-minded Oakland to Columbus, rolling once again in Buckeye fashion 92-63. Ohio State is dangerous, and can score in bunches, in many ways. The Buckeyes take on Tennessee-Martin tonight at 8:30 before heading to Bloomington to face the Hoosiers on Friday to open up Big Ten play.

PENN STATE
Penn State came off a long eight day break from basketball to focus on finals to take on the Black Bears of Maine in Happy Valley. What could have been a solid pre-conference win against Maine turned into a disappointing loss to the Black Bears 74-64. Despite 26 points from Talor Battle, the Nittany Lions struggled throughout this one. Penn State heads to Bloomington to face the Hoosiers tonight at 6:30.

PURDUE
The Boilermakers improved to 11-1 on the season and earned their sixth consecutive win after defeating Dane Fife’s IPFW Mastadons 77-52 at Mackey Arena. JaJuan Johnson had 24 points, along with 13 rebounds in the win. The Boilermakers travel to Ann Arbor on Tuesday to face the Michigan Wolverines to open Big Ten play at 2:00.

WISCONSIN
The Badgers welcomed Coppin State to Madison after a ten day break from game play and improved to 10-2 on the season after clipping the Eagles 80-56. Jon Leuer and Jordan Taylor led the Badgers with 19 points each. The story of the game, however was all about the three point shot. Wisconsin hit a lot of them, 17 to be exact, on way to setting a new school record. Wisconsin will face Minnesota in Madison on Tuesday to open up their Big Ten season. Tip is set for 6:00.

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