Big Ten Conference Notebook
by John Sahly
Here’s wishing you and yours a happy and healthy New Year. The Big Ten teams rang in the New Year on various streaks and it was business as usual for the nation’s top team in No. 1 Illinois.
Conference play set to begin
With the non-conference schedule out of the way, the 100th season of Big Ten basketball begins tonight. The non-conference schedule was successful for the conference, as Big 10 teams finished 93-39 against non-conference opponents. The record is even more surprising considering the Big Ten is first in strength of schedule. This is the eighth time in the last nine years the conference has had a non-conference mark over 70 percent. With the difficult schedule and large success of Big Ten teams, the latest RPI rankings have the conference at third in the country.
Not just a vacation in Vegas
The Illinois Fighting Illini solidified their spot atop the polls with a convincing 67-45 victory over then-No. 17 Cincinnati on New Year’s Eve to win the Las Vegas Holiday Classic. Cincinnati billed this as a revenge game for last year’s embarrassing 24-point loss to Illinois in last year’s NCAA Tournament, but the nation’s top-ranked team didn’t get the message, as Illinois never trailed. The Fighting Illini are off to a 14-0 start, their best since the days of the Flyin’ Illini, who started 17-0 and eventually reached the 1989 Final Four. The win also fulfilled one of head coach Bruce Weber’s preseason goals and his team has showed no signs of slowing down.
Not happy in Hoosier land
Indiana head coach Mike Davis might be finding his seat on the bench a little warmer than he would like. Coming off of a six-game losing streak, its longest since 1967-68, the Hoosiers struggled for a one-point win over Oral Roberts at home on New Year’s Eve. The recent performance of the team prompted an unnamed booster to tell a TV station in Indianapolis that Indiana’s boosters were ready to buy out Davis’ contract if the Hoosiers lost to Ball State on Dec. 28. Davis’ squad responded with a twelve-point win, 71-59.
Gophers rising
At 10-3, Minnesota has outplayed preseason projections, even if the Golden Gophers are only 1-3 against major conference teams. Much of the team’s success can be attributed to its shooting, as it leads the conference in both field goal percentage (51.9 percent) and three-point field goal percentage (42.3 percent). Head coach Dan Monson’s team is doing it on the defensive end as well, as it leads the Big 10 in steals per game with 10.2.
Big Ten Player of the Week
Alando Tucker, F, Wisconsin
Tucker’s 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting propelled Wisconsin (9-2) over No. 13 Alabama. Tucker has scored 21 in each of his last three games and shows no signs of slowing down.
Big Ten Rookie of the Week
D.J. White, F, Indiana
One of the few bright spots for the Hoosiers, the freshman standout scored 23 points in Indiana’s one-point victory over Oral Roberts. He followed that performance with 17 points and seven rebounds in 27 minutes against Furman. White has proved he is a solid building block for Mike Davis’ squad.
Around the Big Ten
Illinois (14-0)
What hasn’t been said already about the No. 1 team in the nation? How about out of the 560 minutes of basketball the Fighting Illini have played this season, they’ve only trailed for 21 minutes, 32 seconds. Four starters average double-figures in points and senior guard Luther Head (16.2 ppg) also has a stellar 3/1 assist-turnover ratio.
Next game: Wednesday vs. Ohio State
Indiana (5-6)
Junior guard Bracey Wright’s nose is healing fine, but head coach Mike Davis has bigger pains to worry about (see above). One of the biggest reasons Indiana is struggling: turnovers are killing them. They average nearly 15 per game while only dishing out around 12. Only two Hoosiers – Wright and White – are averaging double-digits in points.
Next game: Wednesday at Northwestern
Iowa (12-1)
The No. 12 Hawkeyes had some troubles dispatching 2-10 St. Louis, taking them out by a 67-58 margin. The Billikens actually led 29-27 at halftime and were missing two starters. Junior guard Pierre Pierce led all scorers with 24 points and freshman forward Erek Hansen spurned the rally with seven blocks.
Next game: Wednesday vs. Michigan
Michigan (8-5)
The Wolverines rounded out their non-conference schedule with two easy victories over Delaware State and UNC-Asheville. Junior forward Chris Hunter scored 35 points, added 14 rebounds and seven assists in the two wins.
Next game: Wednesday at Iowa
Michigan State (8-2)
The No. 19 Spartans know a little something about sharing during the holiday season. They dished out 26 assists in their 92-63 victory over UNC-Asheville. Michigan State started the game in rousing fashion, winning the opening tip and finishing the play with an alley-oop to sophomore guard Shannon Brown. The ball didn’t touch the floor during the entire play. Five Spartans finished in double-figures.
Next game: Wednesday at Penn State
Minnesota (10-3)
Minnesota routed Loyola Marymount 93-67 to win its tenth straight game. Six Golden Gophers finished in double-figures and the team shot 64.3 percent. Freshman guard Rico Tucker has led the offense, as he has scored at least 11 points in three of his last four games.
Northwestern (7-5)
The Wildcats are taking to the “survive and advance” attitude of March in their last few games. A seven-point home win over Delaware State and a twelve-point home win over Texas-Pan American have left Northwestern fans as well as head coach Bill Carmody worse for wear. The addition of former-Duke recruit and junior center Michael Thompson has proven to be a positive. Thompson is averaging 11 points, six rebounds and a block per contest.
Next game: Wednesday vs. Indiana
Ohio State (11-2)
The Buckeyes knocked off St. Joseph’s 72-61 on New Year’s Eve, holding Hawks star guard Pat Carroll to 2-10 shooting from three-point range. Junior forward Terence Dials scored 24 points for the second straight game and has now scored at least 20 in four straight games. Dials is making a serious run at possibly making first or second team all-Big Ten.
Next game: Wednesday at Illinois.
Penn State (6-7)
Penn State gave undefeated Texas A&M all it could handle before ultimately losing to the Aggies 62-60. Junior forward Aaron Johnson led the way with a double-double, 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Next game: Wednesday vs. Michigan State
Purdue (4-6)
Head coach Gene Keady ended his non-conference career with an 87-67 victory over Eastern Illinois. Junior forward Carl Landy was officially named the Big Ten’s player of the week thanks to his 24 points against Eastern Illinois and 29 in a 73-72 loss to Baylor.
Next game: Wednesday vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin (9-2)
Wisconsin proved it deserves to be ranked thanks to a 76-62 win over then-No. 13 Alabama. The Badgers committed only five turnovers in the game and made 11-of-22 three-pointers. Senior forward Zach Morley had 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks to help lead the Badgers to victory.
Next game: Wednesday at Purdue
Four games to watch this week
1. Ohio State vs. No. 1 Illinois (Wednesday)
The Buckeyes are off to a fast start and a win at one of the nation’s toughest places to play could propel them to a possible NCAA Tournament bid. Illinois just needs to hold court and shouldn’t have much difficulty doing so.
2. Michigan vs. No. 12 Iowa (Wednesday)
Despite the injury problems of the Wolverines, this game should be a good one. There are lots of questions on both sides. Can Steve Alford’s team continue its torrid start? Can Michigan win on the road (0-0 thus far this season)?
3. Wisconsin vs. Indiana (Saturday)
On paper Indiana doesn’t match up well against the Badgers. But this game is in Bloomington, which could spell trouble for Bo Ryan’s squad.
4. No. 12 Iowa vs. Ohio State (Saturday)
With both teams playing well thus far, fans could be in for quite a showdown.
