Brendan's B1G Roundup: Return from Hiatus

This week the Roundup will be in a different format due to a lack of an article last week and this weekend bringing the Big Ten Regular Season to a close. First, we will go over the biggest results of the last two weeks and then we will go over the biggest games of the final weekend in terms of the Big Ten standings. Let’s get started!

Biggest Results of the Last Two Weeks:

Michigan State 77 – 70 Michigan: The first of the two Titanic sized matchups between the Spartans and Wolverines lived up the billing, as the two teams traded blows in a relatively even first half, but Michigan State ran away with it in the second half. Picking up the first victory in the series, especially with the matchup being at Crisler, was huge for MSU. This result put Michigan a game back of both the Spartans and the Boilermakers of Purdue in the title race.

Indiana 75 – 73 Wisconsin: This game had significant repercussions on both sides, as Indiana is in a desperate race to get into the NCAA Tournament, and Wisconsin is deadlocked in a battle with Maryland for the four-seed in the Big Ten Tournament (the four-seed earns the final double-bye in the tournament). The game itself ended up being a thrilling double overtime win for Indiana that gave them tournament life.

Penn State 78 – 61 Maryland: Maryland decided to follow up Wisconsin’s loss by having a worse loss of their own, getting not only upset, but dominated by Penn State. While Penn State ended up being extremely hot in February, this is not a game that Maryland wanted to drop with big contests against Michigan and Minnesota remaining. Penn State still needs to win the Big Ten Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but you’ve got to think Pat Chambers is coaching for his job at this juncture.

Indiana 63 – 62 Michigan State: Between January 6^th and March 7^th, Indiana won three basketball games. Two of those games were against the Michigan State Spartans, being one of the most improbable season-sweeps in recent memory in the Big Ten. This loss for Michigan State had put them a game back of Purdue and tied for second with Michigan, opening the possibility for sole possession of the Big Ten Title for the Boilers.

Michigan 69 – 62 Maryland: In a game where both teams needed a win to reach their goals, Michigan won this back and forth contest by the sheer will-power of Zavier Simpson. There was a stark difference in the way Michigan was able to play on both ends of the floor when Simpson was on the floor versus when he was on the bench. For Maryland, this loss put them half a game behind Wisconsin for the four-seed in the conference tournament. On the other hand, this win kept Michigan in the Big Ten Title picture, they just needed a slip-up from Purdue to have a chance.

Minnesota 73 – 69 Purdue: And Purdue slipped up. Playing Minnesota on the road is always a tough ask, but especially on senior night at The Barn. What killed Purdue in this one was their free-throw shooting. They went under 50% from the line on the night, and those extra few points likely would have made the difference. This didn’t eliminate Purdue’s title chance, but their only chance at an outright Big Ten Championship was gone.

Wisconsin 65 – 45 Iowa: Wisconsin gained a one game lead on Maryland for the four-seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a thorough domination of the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Badgers were in control from the start of this game and never let their lead slip in the second half. This would mean that a win against Ohio State clinches the double-bye for Wisconsin.

Biggest Games of the Final Weekend

Minnesota @ Maryland: Maryland has only lost one Big Ten home game all year, so they must have a good feeling going into this game, but Minnesota would most likely lock themselves into the tournament with a win. Both teams will be desperate to win this one, it should be an interesting game to watch Friday night.

Purdue @ Northwestern: A Purdue win against Northwestern, who are currently the last place team in the league, will lock up a share of the Big Ten Championship and the two-seed in the Big Ten Tournament next week. While this game seems like a sure thing for Purdue, they are going to be the ones playing with pressure. For those Northwestern players this is just a chance to play one last game on their home floor together, and possibly pull off a great upset they will remember forever. All eyes in the Big Ten will be on Evanston at 2:30 Saturday.

Michigan @ Michigan State: I cannot put the magnitude of this game into words. Michigan and Michigan State are playing on senior day at the Breslin Center, in a game where the winner gets at least a share of the Big Ten Championship, and the top seed in the conference championship. The game is being played in primetime on ESPN, and this game will have the attention of the nation. This is the biggest regular seasons basketball game in years in the state of Michigan.

Wisconsin @ Ohio State: Wisconsin would lock up the four-seed and double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament with a win here but winning a road game on senior night isn’t an easy task. However, with Kaleb Wesson’s suspension still up in the air it is hard to take Ohio State in any game.

You can follow Brendan on Twitter @Brendan4afc for plenty of Big Ten hoops, general hockey, AFCAA, and Everton F.C. thoughts.