The people who read this column regularly probably sense that I have a lot of respect for Michigan State and Tom Izzo. After last week’s revelations, I feel compelled to write that I had a lot of respect of Michigan State and Tom Izzo. Plenty of people smarter and more qualified than me (you know, actual journalists), have weighed in on the goings-on in East Lansing, and I highly suggest you take the time to educate yourself if you haven’t already.
Back to basketball…
Game of the Week:
- Maryland Terrapins at Purdue Boilermakers, 1/31/2018 8:30 PM ET, BTN
Winning in the Assembly Hall, even against a relatively punchless Indiana squad, should be a huge confidence builder for Purdue’s consistently snakebit program. Now they look to extend the longest win streak in college basketball this season while setting a new school record for most wins in a row. This isn’t quite a trap game (that would be the Boilermaker’s road trip to Rutgers Saturday…), but with their only two games against the league’s other title contenders coming up in the next 12 days, this has huge implications for Purdue nonetheless.
A very telling stat for Maryland: Anthony Cowan and Kevin Huerter have averaged 33 points combined in the team’s two road blowouts to Michigan State and Ohio State (they’ve combined for 30.5 points a game on the year). They scored 39 when the Terrapins nearly knocked off Purdue in College Park. They’ll need to do even better if they want to pull off the miracle Wednesday. The good news for Maryland is the schedule gets easier. The bad news is they are running out of chances to get back on the bubble.
Honorable Mention:
- Michigan Wolverines at Northwestern Wildcats, 2/6/2018, 7:00 PM ET, BTN
These two teams set basketball back a few years when they scored 40 combined points in the first half Monday. Unsurprisingly, Michigan mustered enough offense from their deep pool of athletes to hold off a less talented opponent. As the Wolverines continue their march up the rankings, you’ve got to like their chances hold off Nebraska for a double-buy in the Big Ten Tournament
Few teams have disappointed more than the Wildcats this year (remember when they started the season ranked #19??). Northwestern now has 10 losses, though one can squint at their schedule and imagine a 6-2 finish, which might be enough to get into the bubble conversation. A home victory over Michigan sealed the deal last year, could it spark the Wildcats this year?
- Nebraska Cornhuskers at Minnesota Golden Gophers, 2/6/2018 9:00 PM ET, BTN
If Nebraska’s success (by record, at least) feels like a mirage to you, your instincts are right on the money. Other than their thumping of Michigan (at home), their resume is hollower than the Bryce Jordan Center on a Wednesday night. Props are due for coming behind for a needed road win in Madison, but Nebraska still needs to prove they are for real.
For Minnesota, Amir Coffey’s return is likely too little too late. They’ll hope to finish this tumultuous year strong, and avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Cornhuskers, as they turn one eye to 2019.
Worst Game of the Week:
- Indiana Hoosiers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 2/5/2018 7:00 PM ET, BTN
Reasons to watch this game: Corey Sanders. Juwan Morgan. Coach Benjamin Button developing an ulcer (seriously, Archie Miller looks older in stock photos from his NC State playing days; weird considering his teams tend not to win games by more than 10 points).
Reasons not to watch this game: well, there’s too many to list.
Season Stats:
Game of the Week Appearances by Team:
- Iowa – 1
- Maryland – 2
- Michigan – 5
- Michigan State – 4
- Nebraska – 1
- Northwestern – 1
- Purdue – 4
- Wisconsin – 1
Game of the Week Honorable Mention Appearances by Team:
- Illinois – 1
- Indiana – 3
- Iowa – 1
- Maryland – 5
- Michigan – 1
- Michigan State – 3
- Minnesota – 6
- Nebraska – 4
- Northwestern – 2
- Ohio State – 4
- Penn State – 3
- Purdue – 1
- Wisconsin – 4
Total Appearances by Team:
- Illinois – 1
- Indiana – 2
- Iowa – 2
- Maryland – 6
- Michigan – 7
- Michigan State – 7
- Minnesota – 6
- Nebraska – 5
- Northwestern – 3
- Ohio State – 4
- Penn State – 3
- Purdue – 5
- Wisconsin – 5
Worst Game Appearances by Team:
- Illinois – 3
- Indiana – 1
- Iowa – 3
- Michigan – 1
- Michigan State – 1
- Nebraska – 1
- Northwestern – 1
- Ohio State – 1
- Purdue – 1
- Rutgers – 3
- Wisconsin – 2