Week 11: BTPowerhouse Big Ten Game of the Week: Iowa Hawkeyes at Wisconsin Badgers

Last week, the Big Ten had a ton of great matchups and saw the conference title race starting to take shape with teams like Iowa, Maryland, and Wisconsin pulling off big wins.  Now, moving into the meat of the conference schedule, we are starting to get some of the marquee matchups of the Big Ten schedule and chances to see the perceived top teams in the conference duke it out.  With that, let's take a look at the games that made the cut this week.

Game Of The Week:

Iowa at Wisconsin: As the only matchup between ranked rivalry teams in the Big Ten this week, this game largely gets the Game of the Week nod as it is defacto matchup with the biggest national intrigue.  Having said that, there are still plenty of reasons to like this game outside of national attention.  Iowa and Wisconsin put together some great games last year including an epic showdown in Iowa City and could feature the best frontcourt matchup in the Big Ten this season with Aaron White and Adam Woodbury battling Nigel Hayes and Frank Kaminsky.  One other thing to note is that both teams are in the top end of the conference standings and look like they will be factors in the Big Ten title race and this could be a showdown that gives one team a big advantage.  Many like Wisconsin in this game since they are at home, but don't count out the Hawkeyes with Traevon Jackson out of the lineup for Wisconsin and the fact that they are undefeated on the road this season including wins over Minnesota and North Carolina.

Honorable Mention:

Indiana at Ohio State: On Sunday afternoon, the Buckeyes will get their shot at revenge against the Hoosiers as they will come into Value City Arena after beating Ohio State at home earlier this year.  Ohio State has put together a solid resume so far this year, but it lacks marquee wins.  The game against Indiana offers Ohio State a shot to beat a quality team at home and strengthen its NCAA Tournament resume.  For Indiana, this is a chance to add another solid road win and keep itself in the Big Ten race.  The big matchup in this game will likely come from the backcourt with D'Angelo Russell and Shannon Scott battling with James Blackmon, Jr. and Yogi Ferrell.

Maryland at Indiana: In most weeks this would be the Game of the Week, but with the Iowa and Wisconsin matchup, this one slides to honorable mention.  Still, this has all the makings of a really good game.  It takes a really good team in Maryland and puts them on the road at night against an Indiana team that has shown it can get up for big home games against quality teams.  This game could be the win that really moves Indiana off the bubble and gets them solidly into NCAA Tournament consideration.  This is also a huge game for a Maryland team that is hoping to keep its hot start going and stay with Wisconsin in the Big Ten title race.  Watch for the backcourt battle between Yogi Ferrell and Melo Trimble.

Season Stats

Game of the Week Appearances By Team:

• Michigan State - 4
• Wisconsin - 3
• Maryland - 2
• Illinois - 1
• Indiana - 1
• Iowa - 2
• Minnesota - 1
• Ohio State - 1

Game of the Week Honorable Mention Appearances By Team:

• Ohio State - 8
• Indiana - 5
• Iowa - 4
• Maryland - 4
• Michigan - 2
• Illinois - 1
• Michigan State - 1
• Minnesota - 1
• Nebraska - 1
• Purdue - 1
• Rutgers - 1
• Wisconsin - 1

Total Appearances By Team:

• Ohio State - 9
• Indiana - 6
• Iowa - 6
• Maryland - 6
• Michigan State - 5
• Wisconsin - 4
• Illinois - 2
• Michigan - 2
• Minnesota - 2
• Nebraska - 1
• Purdue - 1
• Rutgers - 1