Around the Big Ten

By Logan Harper

With non-conference play in the rearview mirror, the Big Ten opened up conference competition this past week. After seeing what how these first games played out, it is obvious that some teams have some BIG New Year resolutions to strive for…enjoy!

ILLINOIS
Coming off two consecutive losses, Illinois was looking for some confidence to start off the Big Ten season. Luckily for the Illini, it was found in Iowa City. Led by Demetri McCamey’s 20 points, Illinois was able to drop Iowa 87-77 in the opener. Hot shooting was the key in this one, as Illinois was able to hit their first seven three pointers of the game. Illinois headed back to Champaign to face the Wisconsin Badgers Sunday. Looking to gain a steady 2-0 record to start the Big Ten, Illinois followed Demetri McCamey’s lead of getting to the rim and playing aggressive basketball. McCamey once again led Illinois with 21 points as the Illini scratched the Badgers 69-61. Illinois will face Northwestern at home on Thursday.

INDIANA
Needing a glimmer of hope this New Year, the Hoosiers came off consecutive losses in Las Vegas to open up Big Ten play against Penn State. What happened in Vegas did not stay in Vegas for IU, as they continued to struggle. Christian Watford scored just three points on the game, as IU continued to have troubles defending the perimeter, utilizing screens and free throw shooting overall. In the end, the Nittany Lions mauled the Hoosiers at home 69-60. Looking to bounce back from the disappointing loss to Penn State, IU welcomed Ohio State to Bloomington on New Year’s Eve. This game was over early. Derek Elston would foul out of the contest with over 17 minutes to play. In the end it was an 85-67 loss, the fourth straight for IU. If every player on this team played like Victor Oladipo, things may look a bit better. The Hoosiers will travel to Minnesota to face the Golden Gophers on Tuesday. Tip is set for 7:00 ET.

IOWA
Coach Fran McCaffery’s Big Ten coaching debut was spoiled by Illinois last Wednesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in front of a sellout crowd. The Hawkeyes fell to the Illini 87-77 after rallying to within six points after trailing by as many as 25 points. Matt Gatens led Iowa with 21 points who welcome Ohio State on Tuesday.

MICHIGAN
The Wolverines stormed into Big Ten play riding a seven game winning streak. That streak was snapped by Purdue at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, as the Wolverines fell 80-57. Stu Douglass led the Wolverines in the game with 15 points, but the Boilermaker’s shooting was just too much to handle as they shot 63 percent. Michigan then battled Penn State in Ann Arbor, and led by Darius Morris’ 16 points, Michigan defeated the Nittany Lions 76-79. Michigan heads to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers on Wednesday.

MICHIGAN STATE
After a grueling non-conference schedule that tarnished the armor in the record for the Spartans, Michigan State opened up the Big Ten season against Minnesota at home. Despite a slow first half, Durrell Summers would score 14 of his 19 points in the second half to lead the Spartans to victory 71-62 against the Gophers. Michigan State will now travel to Evanston to face Northwestern tonight. Tip is set for 7:30 ET.

MINNESOTA
Minnesota opened with their first of two extremely difficult tests to begin their hunt in the Big Ten in Madison against the Wisconsin Badgers last Tuesday. Led by Devoe Joseph’s 14 points on the night, the Gophers were unable to nab the victory at the Kohl Center, where it seems Wisconsin never loses. Minnesota fell 68-60. After losing to the Badgers in Madison, the Gophers headed to East Lansing to face the Michigan State Spartans, in yet another tough road matchup to begin conference play. A solid first half for the Gophers saw them hang on for a six point lead at the break, but this would change, as Trevor Mbakwe’s 17 points was just not enough to pull off the win in the Breslin Center. Minnesota lost the contest 71-62. Minnesota welcomes IU to The Barn on Tuesday.

NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats opened up Big Ten play in West Lafayette to battle the Purdue Boilermakers on New Year’s Eve. Michael Thompson scored 18 points and Luka Mirkovic added a career-high 16 points in the game, but would fall short of the upset as Purdue’s hot streak took down the Wildcats 82-69 at Mackey Arena. The Wildcats will host Michigan State tonight at 6:30 CT.

OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes proved once again that they are well deserving of the No. 2 national ranking that they carry. Ohio State rolled into Assembly Hall in Bloomington and smashed the Hoosiers 85-67 behind an incredible 13-19 shooting from beyond the arc and over 60 percent shooting for the game. The Buckeyes were led by William Buford, who finished the game with 24 points. Ohio State will head to Iowa City to face Iowa on Tuesday.

PENN STATE
Penn State opened the Big Ten season on a high note this season. After falling to Maine, the Nittany Lions stormed into Bloomington and blasted the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. The 69-60 win at Assembly Hall was just the second time Penn State had won in the building (also won in 2009). Jeff Brooks led Penn State with a career-high 23 points. After starting the season with a big win in Bloomington, Penn State headed into Ann Arbor looking to start the Big Ten season 2-0. The Wolverines had other plans, as the Nittany Lions fell 76-69. The Nittany Lions will face Purdue on Wednesday in Happy Valley.

PURDUE
The Boilermakers opened up Big Ten play in dominating fashion. Purdue travelled north to face the Michigan Wolverines. The game was close in the first half of play until Purdue outscored the Wolverines by 19 points in the second half, led by JaJuan Johnson’s 22 points before eventually winning 80-57 on the road. After an impressive first game of the conference schedule, the Boilermakers welcomed Northwestern to Mackey Arena on New Year’s Eve. Despite a career-high performance from Luka Mirkovic, the Boilermakers proved too much for the Wildcats as E’Twaun Moore added a career-high tying performance of his own with 31 points to take down the Wildcats 82-69. Purdue heads to Happy Valley to face Penn State on Wednesday.

WISCONSIN
The Badgers were looking to open Big Ten play with a statement against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at home last week. They did just that in taking down the Gophers 68-60, led by 38 combined points from Jon Leuer and Jordan Taylor, two native Minnesotans. After a solid statement win in the opener, the Badgers headed south to visit Illinois. Scorched by a hot 56 percent shooting performance from the Illini, Wisconsin was unable to keep up and fell in Champaign 69-61. The Badgers were led in scoring by Jon Leuer and Jordan Taylor once again, who both chipped in 19 points. Wisconsin will welcome the Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday.

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