Big Ten Basketball: Week in Review 02/02/2010

The Big Ten is one of the most fiercely competed Conferences in College Basketball, every year there are multiple teams representing the Conference in March Madness keeping the Conference’s history of excellence. This article will give a weekly roundup of all the action and major stories surrounding the Big Ten Conference on a week-by-week basis.

Standings- Michigan State is looking secure at the top and has now secured the best start to the Big Ten in their history at 9-0. Tight wins over Michigan and Minnesota have gone a long way to show the combative nature of this team to go along with their excellent array of talent. Purdue has won four straight after a disappointing 2-3 start to their campaign, the Boilermakers are now tied for second in the Conference and have all but locked up an NCAA tournament berth. Wisconsin is the Conference’s other team that should be certain of playing a part in March even after a tight loss to Purdue on Thursday. Ohio State is playing some strong basketball highlighted in their comprehensive 85-63 win over Minnesota on Sunday, the Buckeyes are a skilful team and are doing all the right things to secure an NCAA tournament place. Wins over Indiana and Penn State have helped Illinois right their sinking ship after three straight losses, the Fighting Illini are still in a precarious position though and will need to pick up their play if they are to stay competitive in the Big Ten. Michigan has shown little sign of being able to consistently defeat the Conference’s top teams and if they are to make any sort of noise this season, then that is what they are going to need to do. Injury issues have dominated Minnesota and Indiana in disappointing seasons, though Minnesota could still have a glimpse at a March Madness berth. Northwestern’s appalling Big Ten performances including a recent defeat to struggling Minnesota have left their season hanging in the balance. Iowa now has wins over Penn State and Indiana, but their season is lost, while Penn State has started a shocking 0-9 in Conference play.

Upset of the Week- The Big Ten played it mostly by the form book after the last week or so, though Northwestern’s disappointing performances continued with a surprising defeat at the hands of Minnesota. The Gophers had been struggling and starting point guard Al Nolen has been frustratingly made academically ineligible to play this year, Nolen had been contributing nearly five assists per game. However, a spirited and competitive performance did see them triumph 65-61 over a slumping Northwestern team that had promised so much.

Staying in the Race- The Fighting Illini are doing everything they can to stay in the race for an NCAA tournament bid as well as positioning themselves to finish strongly in the Big Ten. Defeats to Michigan State, Purdue and Northwestern have led many to rightly question their ability to compete against the Conference’s better teams. Wins over Penn State and Indiana have helped Illinois steady the ship, but after their next encounter which is against Iowa, they will play Michigan State, Wisconsin and Ohio State where there competitiveness will be tested. Demetri McCamey is the team’s star man and his experience is crucial on a team that doesn’t have a senior in its starting line-up and only one in Dominique Keller utilised regularly.

Turnaround- Ohio State have won five of six after a disappointing 1-3 start to the Big Ten, and now the Buckeyes are positioning themselves to take a serious shot at an NCAA tournament bid. Evan Turner’s return from injury has undoubtedly been the key factor in the team’s revival, Turner is a fine player in every aspect of the game, and he is actually backed up by a strong all-round supporting cast making Ohio State a difficult opposition. Penn State, Iowa, Indiana and Illinois in their next four games could see them secure a strong position before their last few tricky contests.

Week Ahead- Michigan State and Wisconsin tip off tonight in what could be the sternest test yet for the Spartans as they try and keep their perfect record. Michigan State has risen to as high as #5 with their recent spurt of form, but the Badgers is a tricky opposition. Michigan’s week should be interesting to follow as they take on Northwestern and Wisconsin in two pivotal matchups if they are to improve their position.

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