Absolutely anyone who cares about Big Ten basketball, no matter the size of their audience, publishes a Big Ten basketball power rankings. It's the least original endeavor possible, and this year all of these power rankings are created equal. From the Midwestern paper of record to somebody on Twitter with three followers and no avatar, to the people who make college … [Read more...] about Big Ten Basketball Chaos, Parity Fun for Fans, Excruciating for Coaches Says Chris Collins
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Who are the Leading Big Ten Contenders? Chicago Legends Size it Up
Today saw Gonzaga become the sixth different team to be ranked #1 in the AP poll. The all time record, for an entire season is seven, and today is just Christmas Eve Eve/Festivus. In other words, that record will inevitably be shattered to pieces and this fact conveys just how much chaos there really is, nationally, in college basketball this season. Not just nationally, but … [Read more...] about Who are the Leading Big Ten Contenders? Chicago Legends Size it Up
Northwestern Wildcats at DePaul Blue Demons Preview, Prediction
11-1 DePaul hosts 5-5 Northwestern Saturday night in the next installment of an all Chicagoland series that has certainly been intensely competitive in recent years. DPU's last win in the series came in the 2013 meeting, 57-56, but they have since dropped the last four, including a 75-68 decision in Evanston last year. All time, the Blue Demons lead the series 20-13. "We've … [Read more...] about Northwestern Wildcats at DePaul Blue Demons Preview, Prediction
Michigan State Ends Big Ten Road Hex, Starts Conference Play Well
The Michigan State Spartans, currently ranked #15 in the latest AP poll, have suffered three early season out of conference losses already. Tom Izzo's men, who began the year as the nation's top ranked team, have fallen to the likes Kentucky (#6 in the latest AP poll) Duke (#4) and unranked Virginia Tech. That's the bad news. The good news is they're off to a great start in … [Read more...] about Michigan State Ends Big Ten Road Hex, Starts Conference Play Well
Notre Dame QB Coach Tommy Rees is Ideal for Northwestern OC Job
If there's one candidate who perfectly fits the now vacant Northwestern offensive coordinator position, it's Notre Dame quarterbacks Tommy Rees, (or as he's known today Tom Rees). He actually grew up a Northwestern fan in very nearby Lake Forest, Illinois and he already has a good relationship with NU Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald. Before we get to all that is right with Rees … [Read more...] about Notre Dame QB Coach Tommy Rees is Ideal for Northwestern OC Job
LOL Hat Game Preview: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats
When the Illinois Fighting Illini football and the Northwestern Wildcats get together, typically the better team wins. We really haven't seen many upsets in this series lately, as the LOL HAT (Land of Lincoln Hat Trophy) rivalry often goes chalk. Illinois is seeking their first win in this series since 2014, the famous match-up of 5-6 teams that would see one team go on to the … [Read more...] about LOL Hat Game Preview: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern Revenue Sports Having a Really Rough Ride Right Now
Northwestern football is having a generationally bad season, but at least there's basketba....oh wait, never mind. Northwestern men's basketball has already lost two "buy games" this season, to Radford and Merrimack, but hey this is a football school. Well, a football school that's having a season so down that it has reached depths that haven't been seen in multiple … [Read more...] about Northwestern Revenue Sports Having a Really Rough Ride Right Now
#11 Minnesota Golden Gophers at Northwestern Wildcats Game Preview
Saturday brings the High Energy Head Coach Who Usually Give Entertaining Press Conference Bowl when P.J. Fleck's Minnesota Golden Gophers visit Pat Fitzgerald's Northwestern Wildcats. (I guess the polar opposite of this match-up would be Iowa-Wisconsin, Kirk Ferentz and Paul Chryst). It's no accident these two men are so similar. Fleck's coaching mentor literally is … [Read more...] about #11 Minnesota Golden Gophers at Northwestern Wildcats Game Preview
Northwestern Responds After Merrimac, Makes Providence Look Ugly
It's too bad more fans didn't show up for what is undoubtedly Northwestern's marquee home non-conference game this season. Apparently, the upset loss to Merrimac in the season opener, plus the record cold snap hitting the area kept people away from 7,039 capacity Welsh-Ryan Arena. The venue was well more than a majority empty for the Northwestern Wildcats' 72-63 win over the … [Read more...] about Northwestern Responds After Merrimac, Makes Providence Look Ugly
Purdue Rallies to Victory, Gives Northwestern an Absolute Gut Punch
J.D. Dellinger was the hero for Purdue in an ending that was so exciting and interesting, it could have been written by J.D. Salinger. Purdue's 24-22 come from behind win at Northwestern, decided by Dellinger's 39 yard field goal in the final seconds, was as entertaining as one could expect for $2- that's how low a price you could find tickets online for this one. It was the … [Read more...] about Purdue Rallies to Victory, Gives Northwestern an Absolute Gut Punch