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Tonight’s slate of games don’t feature that intriguing of games, but can still affect the standings heading into the Big Ten tournament. No. 22 Michigan, even though they’re still in the top 25, need to win if they want a double-bye in the Big Ten tournament. Right now the Wolverines stand at fifth with a 9-5 conference win, behind Nebraska who has the tie breaker over them. Illinois and Iowa are fighting for a single bye, as they sit in at 12th and 13th at the moment. Indiana holds a record of 7-7 in Big Ten play, comfortably placing themselves in the single bye round of the conference tournament.
You can preview tonight’s games below. All spreads are based off of ESPN.
Game of the Day:
- Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 22 Michigan Wolverines
- Time/TV: 6:30PM ET BTN
- ESPN Spread: Michigan (-11)
Michigan is coming off an up and down week, losing to Northwestern early, but getting a nice win on the road against Wisconsin. Iowa on the other hand hasn’t been up at all, losing their past three games to put them at a 3-11 record for conference play.
Michigan has the talent and the home court advantage to win with ease, but the Big Ten has seen Iowa is capable of spurts of solid play. Iowa took No. 4 Michigan State to the wire the other week, scoring 93 points in that affair. Maybe the Wolverines will have to play a little bit harder than expected come game time.
- Pick Against the Spread: Michigan
The Rest:
- Illinois Fighting Illini at Indiana Hoosiers
- Time/TV: 8:30PM ET BTN
- ESPN Spread: Indiana (-8)
The battle of border-states isn’t as intriguing as Big Ten games can be, but the implications of the game still serve a purpose.
Indiana sits at seventh place in the Big Ten standings, with the potential of getting to fifth by season’s end. While a regular NCAA tournament bid is unlikely, maybe the Hoosiers can make a run at the Big Ten championship if they get the right seeding and schedule.
Iowa, not so much. The Hawkeyes will most likely not have a first round bye or they will place as an eighth or ninth seed, which would make them play the first seed in the third round. The Hawkeyes are just playing for pride at this point.
- Pick Against the Spread: Indiana