The Big Ten is having one of the most memorable basketball seasons we've seen in some time. The conference leads the country with five top-25 teams and ranks number one in the RPI/Sagarin ratings. Along with being regarded as the best conference in the nation, the Big Ten is full of intriguing stories. Here are the … [Read more...] about The Five Biggest Stories for Big Ten Basketball Thus Far
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Purdue 58, Northwestern 56: Rapid Reaction
In Tuesday’s 66-64 loss to Michigan, Purdue senior Robbie Hummel missed a big shot at the end of the game to send the Boilermakers to their second straight loss and third in the past four games. (Guest post by Kevin Trahan of bigtenorbust.com, purplewildcats.com and the Daily Northwestern.) On Saturday, he made sure he didn’t repeat that performance, sinking Northwestern … [Read more...] about Purdue 58, Northwestern 56: Rapid Reaction
Michigan State Needs to Fix Defensive Lapses to Become Elite
This what #9 Michigan State has given up in scoring in their four losses: 67 to North Carolina, 74 to Duke, 81 to Northwestern, 6o to Michigan. In their 16 wins, they've held everyone under 70 with the exception of Lehigh; a game they won 90-81. The losses to the Wolverines and Tar Heels were much more on the offense than the D, but the pattern is still obvious: when the … [Read more...] about Michigan State Needs to Fix Defensive Lapses to Become Elite
Northwestern’s Surprisingly Good RPI, Tournament Profile
RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) is an algorithm based on opponents' winning percentage, opponents' opponents' winning percentage, and opponents' opponents' opponents' winning percentage. This is the truth, I'm not trying to sound like Dr. Seuss here. So RPI is like the BCS, a very controversial number that certains groups of people ascribe meaning to; other groups of people … [Read more...] about Northwestern’s Surprisingly Good RPI, Tournament Profile
#6 Michigan State Sees Win Streak End at Northwestern!
Was this a huge upset? On one level, yes. Any time the most prominent college basketball program in the Big Ten falls to the program with the least amount of tradition in the conference, it's huge! Not to mention it ended the biggest win streak that prominent On the other hand, Northwestern came in with a RPI of 28 while Michigan State's number is 6, so it's not that big … [Read more...] about #6 Michigan State Sees Win Streak End at Northwestern!
Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Many Happy Returns Edition
Since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, today is a day NO ONE is at work. There's no Federal services, no trading on the stock market this Monday. It's December 26th, so if you're a mindless-zombie-worker bee-corporate drone-lemming, I know exactly where you are today- at the mall making your Christmas gift returns. (Remember to take the receipts!) I'm guessing I know … [Read more...] about Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Many Happy Returns Edition
Northwestern Heads to #24 Creighton with 10-1 Record
Northwestern basketball closed out the home portion of their non conference schedule tonight with a 87-72 win over the Eastern Illinois Panthers, pushing their record to 10-1. Meaning they're ready for their second big test of the season- at #24 Creighton. The Blue Jays, favorites to win the Missouri Valley, also have only one loss on the season. NU failed pretty badly in … [Read more...] about Northwestern Heads to #24 Creighton with 10-1 Record
Texas A&M: Opponent for Northwestern in Houston Bowl
Northwestern director of athletics Jim Phillips has done it again. He's worked his magic to get his Wildcats up the bowl ladder, as NU landed in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston vs. Texas A&M. Bowl executive director Heather Houston (really, that's her name? What an awesome coincidence that bowl based in Houston is run by someone with that name) announced Sunday the … [Read more...] about Texas A&M: Opponent for Northwestern in Houston Bowl
Northwestern Routs MVSU, Stays Undefeated; Ready for #7 Baylor
In two days we'll really know what we have, or don't have with Northwestern college basketball. Yes, they're undefeated right now, and they won the Charleston Classic. But they still haven't played anyone. The road win at Georgia Tech was nice, but the Yellow Jackets are down this year. Much like the rest of the ACC. But it won't be long until the moment of truth … [Read more...] about Northwestern Routs MVSU, Stays Undefeated; Ready for #7 Baylor
Big Ten/ACC Challenge Preview and Predictions
The twelve-game Big Ten/ACC Challenge tips off Tuesday night with the headliner being a battle of top three teams as #3 Duke visits #2 Ohio State. After losing the first ten challenges, The Big Ten looks for their third straight win in this battle of power conferences. To be completely blunt; they should have zero problem doing so as the Big Ten has far more depth then the … [Read more...] about Big Ten/ACC Challenge Preview and Predictions