Around the Big Ten

Welcome to another week of “Around the Big Ten.” Let’s take a look at the week that was for the teams in the Big Ten. Enjoy!

ILLINOIS
The Illini were looking to go into Bloomington and prove to the conference that they are still players in the race for the conference’s elite. What Illinois got in Bloomington was a defensive machine, which held the Illini offense to under 50 points in the 49-52 loss to the Hoosiers. The Illini were led by Mike Davis’ 14 points, as Demetri McCamey was held to six points, his second straight game with under 10 points. Illinois will welcome Penn State on Tuesday.

INDIANA
Last week was a great week to be a Hoosier. Coming off a blowout loss to Iowa in Iowa City, IU welcomed Illinois to Assembly Hall in Bloomington, and urged by an energized crowd, defeated the Illini 52-49, triggering a stampede of students to rush Branch McCracken Court. Jordan Hulls placed the Hoosiers on his back, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the second half. With some momentum, the Hoosiers travelled to East Lansing to face the Spartans of Michigan State. With the Spartans coming off three consecutive losses, it seemed reasonable to expect an ugly game in the Breslin Center. These Hoosiers, however, seem to be coming of age, and despite a loss to MSU by a single point (or free throw…cough, cough) the Hoosiers showed that they are no longer afraid to play aggressive in the 84-83 overtime loss. IU was led in scoring by Christian Watford, who scored 21 points. The Hoosiers will face Minnesota in Assembly Hall on Wednesday. Tip is scheduled for 6:30 ET.

IOWA
Despite a strong start, Iowa faded down the stretch to Penn State, losing on the road 65-51. The Hawkeyes were led by Jarryd Cole’s 11 points. Iowa then headed to Ann Arbor only to fall again on the road to the Wolverines 87-73, despite a career-high 25 points from Melsahn Basabe. Iowa will return home Wednesday to face Michigan State.

MICHIGAN
The Wolverines travelled to in-state rival Michigan State to battle the Spartans in the Breslin Center, and behind hot shooting from deep courtesy of Zack Novak, were able to stun MSU behind his 19 points 61-57. Michigan then headed back home to Ann Arbor, defeating Iowa 87-73, led by Darius Morris’ 12 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, only the third triple-double in Wolverine basketball history. Michigan will head to Ohio State on Thursday.

MICHIGAN STATE
The Spartans are struggling. Coming off a loss to Purdue in West Lafayette, the Spartans were looking to rebound against the Michigan Wolverines at home. Unfortunately, MSU struggled from the floor and lost the game 61-57 despite 27 points from Kalin Lucas. Trying to forget the losses, MSU focused on defeating the Hoosiers on Sunday. It wasn’t easy, but the Spartans snapped their losing streak, downing the Hoosiers 84-83 in overtime on Tom Izzo’s birthday. Kalin Lucas again had a big scoring game, netting 26 points. Michigan State will head to Iowa to face the Hawkeyes Wednesday.

MINNESOTA
The Golden Gophers welcomed Northwestern to Williams Arena and got the win 81-70. Trevor Mbakwe had 18 points and 15 rebounds in the victory. Minnesota then headed south to face Purdue and lost the game 73-61 behind another good game from Mbakwe, who logged 17 points in the loss. Minnesota will take on the Hoosiers in Bloomington Wednesday at 6:30 ET.

NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats battled Minnesota on the road, only to lose the contest 81-70, despite a solid 18 points from Michael Thompson. The Wildcats then hosted the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes in Evanston on Saturday, with John Shurna watching from the sideline. The upset bid for the Wildcats came up just short, as they fell 58-57. Thompson led the game once again with 16 points. Northwestern will host Illinois on Saturday.

OHIO STATE
The No. 1 Buckeyes are still perfect. Ohio State had no problem in taking down Purdue in Columbus 87-64 behind William Bufford’s 19 points. The Buckeyes would have a bit more trouble in Evanston, pulling off the tough win 58-57. Jared Sullinger had 21 points in the win. Ohio State will welcome Michigan to Columbus on Thursday.

PENN STATE
The Nittany Lions were able to take down Iowa in Happy Valley 65-51 behind a strong performance from Talor Battle, who scored 23 points in the victory. Penn State then welcomed the Wisconsin Badgers to their home floor, pulling off the upset 56-52 behind another solid game from Battle, who ended this one with 22 points. Penn State will travel to Illinois to face the Illini on Tuesday.

PURDUE
The Boilermakers steamed into Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes and got stomped 87-64 despite 22 points from JaJuan Johnson. Purdue then welcomed Minnesota to Mackey Arena, winning 73-61 behind Johnson’s 24 points. Purdue heads to Madison to face the Badgers on Tuesday.

WISCONSIN
The Badgers headed to Penn State to face the Nittany Lions in front of a large crowd for PSU standards. This crowd was eager to see a Penn State win, and they got just that, as the Badgers fell to the Nittany Lions 56-52, ending the 12 game winning streak the Badgers had collected against Penn State. Jon Leuer had 18 points in the loss. Wisconsin welcomes Purdue on Tuesday.

Posted in: Pregaming