Around the Big Ten

By Logan Harper

Welcome to another week of “Around the Big Ten.” If you are wondering what that ringing sound is in your ear, it is the official’s whistle blowing another and-one foul against the Hoosiers. Enjoy!

ILLINOIS
The Illini welcomed Michigan State to the other Assembly Hall last week, and behind Brandon Paul’s 20 points, knocked off the struggling Spartans 71-62. Illinois finished off a home stand against the Buckeyes of Ohio State on Saturday, and despite hanging tough throughout, fell to the No. 1 team in the land 73-68. Jereme Richmond had a solid performance of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Illinois will travel to Bloomington to face the Hoosiers Thursday at 9 ET.

INDIANA
After coming off a confidence-boosting victory against Michigan, the Hoosiers were looking to pull off a shocker in Madison against Wisconsin. IU battled the entire first half, as Jordan Hulls hit shots from all over, eventually heading to the locker room at the half 34-30. Wisconsin came out in the second half, and behind five questionable and-one whistles rallied back to beat IU 69-60. Jordan Hulls led the Hoosiers with 16 points. After a tough loss to the Badgers, Hoosier fans were looking to gain a Big Ten road victory in Iowa City. That did not happen, as the Hoosiers got drilled throughout, eventually falling to Iowa 91-77, as Verdell Jones sat out with knee inflamation. Christian Watford dropped a career-high 30 points, but gave up way too many points on defense. IU faces Illinois Thursday in Bloomington. Tip is set for 9 ET.

IOWA
The Hawkeyes travelled to Columbus to face the hot Buckeyes last week. The one positive for Iowa was Andrew Brommer, who scored 12 points in the 70-48 loss. Perhaps the other positive is that Iowa travelled home to face fellow basement-dweller IU. Iowa, who scored just 48 points against the Buckeyes, dropped nearly double that against IU in the 91-77 rout of Indiana. Melsahn Basabe led Iowa with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Hawkeyes will travel to Penn State on Wednesday.

MICHIGAN
Coming off a loss to the Hoosiers, the Wolverines were looking to bounce back against Northwestern on the road, but stumbled 74-60. Michigan was led by Stu Douglass with 17 points. Michigan then welcomed Minnesota to Ann Arbor, but despite 20 points from Tim Hardaway Jr., the Wolverines were unable to upset the Gophers, losing the contest 69-64. Michigan will head to East Lansing to face Michigan State on Thursday.

MICHIGAN STATE
The Spartans travelled to Illinois to face the Illini last week, but fell on the road 71-62. Kalin Lucas led the team with 15 points. Michigan State then headed to West Lafayette to face Purdue in primetime on Saturday, but fell in the spotlight 86-76. The Spartans were led by Draymond Green’s 21 points in the defeat. MSU welcomes Michigan on Thursday.

MINNESOTA
The Golden Gophers headed to Ann Arbor to face upset-minded Michigan. The Gophers, which had four players score in double figures avoided the upset to win 69-64. Minnesota will welcome Northwestern on Wednesday.

NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats welcomed Michigan to Evanston, and behind John Shurna’s 24 points won the game 74-60. Northwestern then welcomed SIU-Edwardsville, and won huge 98-55 behind a 35-4 run in the first half. Northwestern then Welcomed the Wisconsin Badgers, and because of playing a poor SIU-Edwardsville team lost to the Badgers 78-46 behind 13 points from Luka Mirkovic and John Shurna. Northwestern will head to Minneapolis to play Minnesota on Wednesday.

OHIO STATE
The No. 1 Buckeyes welcomed Iowa to Columbus this past week, and behind David Lighty’s 18 points, won big 70-48. After the blowout against the Hawkeyes, the Buckeyes headed to Illinois to battle the Illini. Ohio State was able to avoid the court-rush and left Champagne with a 73-68 victory behind a huge game from Jared Sullinger, who finished with 27 points and 16 rebounds. Ohio State will welcome Purdue on Tuesday.

PENN STATE
The Nittany Lions travelled to Purdue in search of another upset. However, Jeff Brooks’ 19 points was not enough to grab the win, as Penn State lost 63-62. Penn State will look to recover from the tough loss on Wednesday when they host Iowa.

PURDUE
After a road loss to the Big East’s Mountaineers of West Virginia, Purdue welcomed Penn State to Mackey Arena. This was a great game, which had the Boilermakers come out on top in the end 63-62 behind JaJuan Johnson’s 25 points. Purdue then hosted Michigan State on Saturday night, and behind E’Twaun Moore’s 26 points, won the game on ESPN 86-76. Purdue will face Ohio State in Columbus on Tuesday.

WISCONSIN
Wisconsin hosted Indiana at the Kohl Center, and behind a career-high 28 points from Jordan Taylor won the contest 69-60. Wisconsin then headed south to Evanston to face Northwestern on the road. Coming out strong, Wisconsin never looked back, as they cruised to a 78-46 win. Wisconsin was led by freshman Josh Grasser, who scored 10 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists to record the first triple-double in the history of Wisconsin basketball. The Badgers will head to Happy Valley to battle Penn State on Saturday.

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