Big Ten Semifinals Preview

(1) Illinois vs. (5) Michigan
The Wolverines looked a bit shaky at times in their win over Iowa. The young Wolverine team might have been a bit awestruck in the bright lights. Illinois has been here before. The Illini captured the Big Ten tournament championship last season and advanced the second round of the NCAA tournament.

In their only meeting this season in Champaign, the Illini coasted to a 65-52 win. In that game, the Illini defense held Michigan to 35 percent shooting and forced 17 Michigan turnovers. That was the first stop on the Illini train. Since that victory, Illinois has won ten more games without a loss. Michigan might have the deepest and most talented team in the Big Ten. Over the second half of the conference season, the Illini have left no doubt that they are the best team in the Big Ten. Head and Williams looked unstoppable in the victory over Indiana.

The last time Michigan and Illinois played, Head, Williams and Dee Brown combined for 45 points. No one on Michigan was able to establish themselves versus the Illini. The Wolverines won’t have an answer for the Illini’s three amigos this time out either. Illinois advances to the championship game for the second straight year with an eight to 12 point win.

(2) Wisconsin vs. (3) Michigan State
The first time these two teams met, Wisconsin cruised to a 77-64 win. Their second encounter last week was the game of the year in the Big Ten. It took overtime before Wisconsin secured a 68-64 victory. Harris and Wilkinson had their customary great games with 18 each. Harris scored nine points down the stretch to help force the overtime.

The difference in that game was when Michigan State’s Paul Davis was forced from the game with leg cramps with two minutes remaining in regulation. Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Badgers had no answer for him inside. Michigan State led the conference in field goal shooting, free throw shooting and three point shooting. The Badgers were able to clamp down on Michigan State and forced the Spartans into 39 percent shooting, Davis however was the one player they could not stop.

With a healthy Davis, the Spartans appear to have too much firepower. Who checks Harris and how well MSU can contain the Big Ten player of the year will go along way towards any success the Spartans have. This should be the best game of the tournament. The game should come down the last few possessions. Michigan State has more options to choose from and that should make the difference. The Spartans win late and advance to play Illinois on Sunday.