I am going to post this tonight because I will be going to the Purdue/Northwestern game at Noon (ET). It's the last day of 2010 and it should be quite a day in the Big Ten. We have Northwestern/Purdue, Ohio State/Indiana and Minnesota/Michigan State games on tap.
Northwestern's Big Ten opener against #11 Purdue::
Northwestern at #11 Purdue: (12:00pm ET ESPN2) --- This could be a redemption game for Purdue. The last time they faced a Princeton offense... they crapped the bed. As you may recall that was the Richmond game and the Boilermaker's first half was terrible, they couldn't hit the ocean. I think could a dangerous game for Purdue. Northwestern has had success with Purdue as of late. Northwestern needs Shurna to be healthy enough to play, if he isn't Northwestern has a littler chance of pulling it out here. Either way, I see Purdue having on hell of a time with Northwestern. Northwestern plays 1-3-1 trapping zone defense and the Princeton offense, it could spell trouble for Purdue. Both teams will be ready to play tomorrow and both teams need to come out firing on offense. It will be a defensive battle that will win it in the end. Purdue has been great on defense so far, and Northwestern is 9-1, so both have done pretty well. This game could be a last minute buzzer beater to rock the arena.. but then again, last year Purdue played on New Years they killed a very good eventual Final Four WVU team, but I think NW has a chance, I guess we will see.
#19 Michigan State's Big Ten opener against #13 Minnesota::
#2 Ohio State's Big Ten opener against Indiana::
#13 Minnesota at #19 Michigan State: (4:00pm ET Big Ten Network) --- Both teams enter this game having lost their last game. The benefit for Michigan State is it wasn't a Big Ten game. Tom Izzo scheduled a very tough non-conference schedule to prepare Michigan State for the Big Ten. They have been stumbling along the way. As of now they look like they are in a funk. This game is a great opportunity for Michigan State to break out of that funk and get a great win on their resume. Minnesota looks to prove they belong in the upper tier of the Big Ten after dropping one to Wisconsin. Whatever you do, you do not want to start two in the hole in year where the Big Ten is rigorously tough. It should be a close battle as both teams average 75.8 points a game. Minnesota is allowing more two more points a game than Michigan State with 68.2 points per game. This is sure to be a great game. Maybe the best Big Ten matchup so far this year. Best of luck to both teams, who have something to fight for. Both teams need to get back on track. Game on.
#2 Ohio State at Indiana: (6:00pm ET ESPN2) --- What I know about undefeated teams in this day and age of college basketball is that they will lose sometime. With that said, Indiana will not be the spoiler. Indiana is struggling right now, even for them. Three straight losses and after this game, it will be four. Ohio State is just too good right now. They are firing on all cylinders and will get the win. They will be going for their sixth straight win against the Hoosiers. Ohio State has so many scoring threats and Indiana won't be able to handle them all. I don't see them containing Jared Sullinger either, he is averaging a double-double with 10.2 rebounds and 17.5 points. Ohio State will roll in this game, or at least they should. Everybody will stumble sometime, I just don't see Indiana being the one that upsets them.