By Logan Harper
Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of “Around the Big Ten.” Enjoy!
ILLINOIS
The Fighting Illini travelled to the now dangerous Bryce Jordan Center to take on the Nittany Lions. Despite a strong performance from Mike Tisdale, who had a solid double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, the Nittany Lions held on to take down the Illini 57-55. Illinois continued their road trip with a trip to Madison to face the Wisconsin Badgers. The road was once again unkind to the Illini, who fell 76-66 behind Demetri McCamey’s 23 points. Illinois will return home against Michigan State on Tuesday.
INDIANA
After a long break after losing to a surprising Northwestern team in Evanston, the Hoosiers returned home to face the Michigan Wolverines…and WON! This game showed the Indiana fans what this team is capable of, and even after a scary moment that saw Mo Creek hit the floor in pain, grabbing his knee, after the fact that he was almost ninja-kicked by Zack Novak, the Hoosiers and their loyal fans were able to celebrate the first victory after a long, agonizing six-game losing streak. He may not have led the way in scoring, but the player of the game was Jordan Hulls, who played tenacious defense, and connected on all four of his shots from the floor, two of those shots coming off slight Wolverine runs. Verdell Jones led the IU attack with 24 points in the 80-61 rout. The Hoosiers face Wisconsin in Madison on Thursday. Tip is at 9 ET.
IOWA
The Hawkeyes welcomed Northwestern last week, only to get hammered 90-71 despite five three pointers made by Matt Gatens who finished the contest with 20 points. Iowa then travelled to Minnesota to take on the Gophers Melsahn Basabe scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the 69-59 loss in Williams Arena. Iowa will face the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus on Wednesday.
MICHIGAN
The Wolverines welcomed rival Ohio State to Ann Arbor, and despite a rally in the second half, fell to the Buckeyes 68-64, led by Darius Morris’ 18 points. Michigan then travelled to the REAL Assembly Hall to take on the Hoosiers. The Wolverines never gave the Hoosiers a fight (unless you call cowardly attempting to kick a player recovering from a devastating knee injury a fight) and loss big time 61-80. Michigan will take on Northwestern on the road Tuesday.
MICHIGAN STATE
The Spartans took on the Wisconsin Badgers in East Lansing, and put on a show for Big Ten basketball followers. This game went down to the wire, and led by a career-high 26 points from Draymond Green, pulled off the victory in overtime 64-61. The Spartans then took on the Northwestern Wildcats at the Breslin Center in yet another overtime battle. The Spartans held on in this one too, behind freshman Keith Appling’s 19 points, winning the contest 71-67. Michigan State will face Illinois on the road on Tuesday.
MINNESOTA
Minnesota welcome Purdue to Williams Arena on Thursday, and pulled off the big win 70-67 behind Blake Hoffarber’s 26 points. Minnesota then welcomed the Iowa Hawkeyes, winning at home once again 69-59 behind a solid performance from Trevor Mbakwe, who had 16 points. Minnesota will battle Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
NORTHWESTERN
After a solid performance against the Hoosiers, the Wildcats rolled over the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road, 90-71 behind Drew Crawford’s 19 points. After a solid road win, Northwestern travelled to East Lansing to face the Spartans, and came up just short of a huge win, falling in overtime 71-67. Michael Thompson became the school’s all-time assist leader in the game, while also chipping in 15 points. Northwestern will face Michigan at home on Tuesday.
OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes hit the road to Ann Arbor looking for a solid win on the road against a rival. The Buckeyes did just that, as they took down the Wolverines 68-64 behind William Bufford’s 19 points. Ohio State then went home to face Penn State and got more than they expected from the upset-minded Nittany Lions. The Buckeyes won the game 69-66 behind 19 points from Jared Sullinger. Ohio State will face the Iowa Hawkeyes in Columbus on Wednesday.
PENN STATE
Penn State welcomed the Michigan State Soartans to Happy Valley and pulled off the shocker, defeating MSU 57-55 behind a strong performance from Talor Battle, who dropped 26 points. Penn State was looking to stay hot against the Buckeyes in Columbus, but came up just shy of the huge upset and lost 69-66. David Jackson led the team in scoring with 19 points. Penn State will travel to Purdue on Wednesday.
PURDUE
The Boilermakers headed to Minneapolis looking for a win last Thursday, but didn’t get it. Purdue, led by JaJuan Johnson’s 29 points and 11 rebounds, Purdue lost to the Gophers 70-67. Purdue then travelled to West Virginia to face the Mountaineers in Morgantown, only to lose again 68-64. Purdue welcomes Penn State to Mackey Arena on Wednesday.
WISCONSIN
The Badgers went against the Spartans on the road in East Lansing, and despite Jordan Taylor’s 21 points, lost to MSU 64-61 in overtime. Wisconsin then defeated Illinois 76-66 in Madison behind Jon Leuer’s 26 points. Wisconsin welcomes the Hoosiers on Thursday. Tip is at 9 ET.
