The best thing that happened to Adreian Payne, NBA career wise, was getting traded away from the Atlanta Hawks and to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He wasn't going to get much playing time with the Eastern Conference's first place team; who have now pretty much solidified the #1 seed in the East. Payne was drafted 15th overall by Atlanta, but never broke into their rotation; … [Read more...] about Adreian Payne’s NBA career finally begins with Timberwolves
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Big Ten football power rankings: lipstick on a pig edition
During Big Ten football Saturdays like this, how do you spin what happened? How do you put lipstick on these pigs? And even though Northwestern out-gained an AWFUL Western Michigan team by just 126 yards, they've still earned the second slot. You can argue that a different Big Ten football team deserves to be there. But my argument is pretty solid for NU. Also, Illinois gave … [Read more...] about Big Ten football power rankings: lipstick on a pig edition
Michigan State has many non-conference wins, but most with struggles
There's no question that the teams of Tom Izzo are much better in March -when it counts- then November/December. But nothing has come easy for this Spartans team. It seems like every time they play inferior competition they struggle with them. They still win, but play way down to their level. They did it again versus Texas, trailing in the second half. Yes, the Longhorns … [Read more...] about Michigan State has many non-conference wins, but most with struggles
Michigan State: toughest team wins nation’s toughest conference
It's the league with the nation's best RPI and SoS; therefore the Big Ten is the nation's "toughest conference." And therefore the team which look the league title is toughest of the tough. "Built Ford Tough" like they say in nearby Detroit. The #5 Michigan State Spartans lost a chance to win the outright Big Ten title on a jumper by Ohio State's Will Buford with 0.8 seconds … [Read more...] about Michigan State: toughest team wins nation’s toughest conference
Northwestern still needs three wins to make NCAA Tournament
In our latest NCAA Tournament bracket projection, we have Northwestern as a #12 seed, one of the last four teams in. Of course, this isn't a place you want to stay right now as Selection Sunday approaches. Even though this is a supposedly "weak bubble," bracket projections don't and can't factor in the "bid-stealing" that will occur next week when small conference favorites … [Read more...] about Northwestern still needs three wins to make NCAA Tournament
Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?
The Assembly Hall crowd in Champaign called for Bruce Weber's head. Illini fans in B Section screamed "pack your bags" and "I can draw up a better offense." This has gone on for years, except this time there was one major difference- No one in the orange and blue crowd stuck up for Bruce. And this happened during one of this year's signature wins, a victory over a top ten … [Read more...] about Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?
Spartans’ Leading Scorer/Rebounder Draymond Green Leaves Game With Serious Leg Injury
The Big Ten's leading rebounder, and best player on the nation's 9th ranked team may be out for awhile. Michigan State forward Draymond Green seriously hurt his left leg in tonight's mild upset loss to the Illini, and left the game with 3:50 left, unable to walk on his own power. Green was down on the Assembly Hall floor in Champaign for quite awhile, and after examination … [Read more...] about Spartans’ Leading Scorer/Rebounder Draymond Green Leaves Game With Serious Leg Injury
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
Mich St Fans Get Repulsive; Draymond Tips Ball into Purdue Goal
Michigan State may have absolutely slaughtered Purdue 83-58 yesterday, but the battle between the two traditional Big Ten powers still had some embarrassing, and down-right dark moments in the lop-sided win. Spartans leader (in scoring, rebounding and emotion) Draymond Green accidentally stuffed the ball home for Purdue (watch video after the jump). But much worse, the … [Read more...] about Mich St Fans Get Repulsive; Draymond Tips Ball into Purdue Goal
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