I guess MSU Coach Tom Izzo finally got his Michigan State Spartans to realize that March is here? In their 74-56 rout over the #6 Purdue Boilermakers, State finally played like a preseason #2 team in national college basketball. And of course they did it in March, a month in which they're known to be at their best. It took all the way to the Big Ten Tournament … [Read more...] about Michigan State Blows Out #9 Purdue, Secures NCAA Tournament Bid
Big Ten Tournament
Darius Morris is Michigan’s Main Weapon
Just when the Michigan Wolverines looked like they were down and out, Darius Morris and Tim Hardaway Jr. sparked a rally in the second half to cut a 12-point deficit and upend the Illini 60-55 to earn the opportunity to face #1 Ohio State on Saturday. The Wolverines were sitting firmly on the bubble before, but their new and best win of the season versus Illinois probably … [Read more...] about Darius Morris is Michigan’s Main Weapon
Illinois Fighting Illini Choke Away BTT Game to Wolverines
There's only one program to have reached (or received a bye into) the Big Ten Tournament quarter-finals every year in the tourney's inception, and that's the Illinois Fighting Illini. In fact out of the 13 conference tourneys, they've reached the semi-finals in every year except one. Make it two after today's epic choke job. The Illini (who have the most BTT wins all time … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini Choke Away BTT Game to Wolverines
Ohio State Buckeyes Aaron Craft Maturing Before Our Eyes
On Friday, the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes experienced two things their team rarely experiences; an off-shooting performance and a close game resulting in overtime. Luckily for the Buckeyes, they were able to hold on and knock off the pesky Northwestern Wildcats by the score of 67-61 in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. Freshman Aaron Craft was particularly great on … [Read more...] about Ohio State Buckeyes Aaron Craft Maturing Before Our Eyes
Illini Need to Play Loose (And Wiffleball) to Advance On
What did Yogi Berra once say about half of the game being 90% mental, or something thereabouts? For the Illini Fighting Illini to make a long run in March this college basketball season, it's all about getting/keeping their head right. And that means playing free and loose. Which means playing some wiffleball? "I think the biggest key to tonight's win was wiffleball last … [Read more...] about Illini Need to Play Loose (And Wiffleball) to Advance On
Michigan State Survives Iowa 66-61: Rapid Reaction
The Michigan State Spartans keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive with a 66-61 first-round win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday. Spartans Head Coach Tom Izzo said it best when he said, "It wasn't the prettiest of games," as the Spartans and Hawkeyes combined for 28 turnovers in a back-and-forth affair which came down to the very last minute of play. But it was a pair … [Read more...] about Michigan State Survives Iowa 66-61: Rapid Reaction
Will Minnesota Gophers Trevor Mbakwe Leave For the NBA?
Minnesota Golden Gophers starting forward Trevor Mbakwe put together a more-than respectable season in his first year in the maroon and gold. Mbakwe averaged a double-double with 13.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. His number of boards were good enough to make him the Big Ten rebounding champion and he earned Second-Team All Conference as well. With NBA scouts in … [Read more...] about Will Minnesota Gophers Trevor Mbakwe Leave For the NBA?
Northwestern Wildcats Moving on to Play #1 Ohio State
As he has so many times this season, Northwestern Wildcats senior point guard Michael "Juice" Thompson carried his team on his back, leading his team to a victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a Big Ten Tournament game they absolutely had to have in order to preserve any chance of a NCAA Tournament berth; and probably really needed to salvage a NIT berth. Thompson … [Read more...] about Northwestern Wildcats Moving on to Play #1 Ohio State