It was a big week of big matchups for the Big Ten. So let’s see what we learned about the conference this week including a discussion of the Maryland Terrapins as this week’s spotlight team. I’ll cover the Big Ten Championship Race opening up, Big Ten Bubble Resumes and of course No Explanation Power Rankings. Finally, I’ll end with a look ahead to next week.
Maryland Terrapins Spotlight
Maryland starts their spotlight week with a defining win over Purdue at home. The Terrapins got out in transition and blew this game open in the second half. First team to blowout Purdue and first team to really get out on the break against them.
It was a big group performance for Kevin Willard’s team. Patrick Emilien gave a jolt off the bench with a few momentum building dunks. Ian Martinez had productive minutes and had an amazing and one during the Terps big run. Hakeem Hart, Julian Reese and of course Jahmir Young lead the team and did a great job of making Edey defend space in the paint. Young’s footwork, patience and decision making burnt Purdue and Edey all game.
Don’t be surprised if Young and Boo Bouie usurp Terrance Shannon Jr. and maybe even Jalen Pickett for 1st team All B1G. Both their teams are shooting up the standings while Illinois and Penn State sputter. However, after Pickett’s week this week maybe Shannon Jr. is the only one getting knocked off.
Purdue fell apart after the Mason Gillis technical. No shows from 3 starters in Furst, Loyer, and Morton. Boilers have questions to answer but more on them later.
One weird thing in this game was Willard let Painter and Purdue do the hand shake line with 2 seconds left in the game as a court storming courtesy. So Loyer and Morton had to inbound the ball and sprint to the lockerroom as the fans sprinted onto the court. Weird.
Anyway, on Sunday Maryland lost in overtime at Nebraska 66-70. Not much to say about Maryland. I have written all year it’s hard to win in Lincoln.
A few weeks back I said that Nebraska didn’t stand much of a chance without Gary and Bandoumel out for season. Since then, Big Red has shifted their identity and that identity is points and Keisei Tominanga! Tominanga is one of the most fun hidden treasures of the 22- 23 season.
Winning at home against no. 3 Purdue then losing at Nebraska is emblematic of the highs and lows for the middle tier big ten teams. Most teams have had moments to be very proud of and games that they want back. That was this week for Maryland.
Overall, Maryland is in a good spot with Willard.
Season one has been successful. They’re tied for fourth place (with 4 other teams) without him getting a recruiting class in yet. The Terps already have a solid recruiting class coming in. If they can lock down the DMV area, Willard can make Maryland a force in the Big Ten.
He’s taken his Big East style with a lead guard, transition focus, isolation pick and rolls, and smaller, more versatile roller big to the Big Ten and had success. Jahmir Young is proof Willard can produce all big ten performers.
The unfulfilled promise of Maryland since they joined the Big Ten is them being a Nationally relevant top 16 type of team each year.
Willard showed us the promise this week. The hard part is waiting for him to build his team and see if he can keep the promise.
Big Ten Title Race is Alive again
Purdue had dropped 3 of their last 4 before beating up on a sad Ohio State team Sunday. Opening up the title race in the Big Ten. This is why you build a 3 game lead so that way when you have a rough stretch you still are in first I guess.
Northwestern (1.5 back) and IU (2.5 back) have a chance now.
This week could decide the title.
Northwestern plays at Illinois and Maryland on Thursday and Sunday respectively. Tough. If they pass those tests (and get some help) they have Penn state at home and at Rutgers to close out. Even if they win all those games they will still need help from Purdue.
Purdue’s job is easy win 2 of your next 3. That stretch is at Wisconsin, hosting Illinois, and up first is a revenge home game against IU.
The Hoosiers play at Michigan State on tuesday, at Purdue Saturday, and home for Iowa and Michigan next week.
If the Hoosiers drop one in East Lansing and Northwestern drops one of their two very tough road games, Purdue could clinch (at least a share of) the title with a home win over Rival IU.
There’s also the nightmare scenario for Boiler fans that IU wins out, Purdue loses another game and the Hoosiers sweep Purdue and claim the title.
This is everything you could want coming down the home stretch of the season!
Make sure you watch Purdue IU Saturday 7:30 on Fox.
Bubbles Bursting, Blind Resume Season, and key results from the week
We have hit the point in the season where every loss eliminates you from the tourney and every win definitely means you are in (until you lose). Every halftime show will be filled with blind resumes, Quad 1 wins, and BPIs. Get ready to find out over and over that UNC doesn’t have any quad 1 wins.
Wisconsin, Michigan, and Penn State are riding the bubble rollercoaster this season. Remember Badgers, Wolverine, and Nittany Lion fans, none of these guys actually know what the committee is thinking (similar to the no explanation power rankings committee).
So let’s look at key results for the Bubble teams this week:
- Penn State earned two wins this week at home against Illinois and at Minnesota
- Jalen Pickett is trying to single-handedly earn the Nittany lions a bid
- He scored 41 against the Illini and had 32/8/9 against the Gophers
- Wisconsin started their week with a home win against Michigan (64-59) and ended it with a home loss to Rutgers (57-58)
- Mixed results but puts wisco might be on the outside looking in now
- They have Iowa (home), at Michigan, Purdue (home), and at minnesota left to earn their spot
- Michigan followed up their loss to Wisconsin with a home win in an emotional rivalry game against MSU (84-72)
- Michigan might be too far gone but I believe that they could still make it
- The Wolverines have (at) Rutgers, Wisconsin (home), at Illinois, and at IU to make the dance
- If they win 3 of those 4, Michigan would be 18-13 with 12 wins in the B1G. I think that team should be in. Call me crazy!
- Also Michigan could lose 3 of those four maybe miss the NIT
No Explanation Power Rankings
Is Michigan above Wisconsin despite losing to them? Yes. The Wolverines are also above Michigan State who they beat on Sunday. Is IU above Northwestern despite losing to them this week? Yes. Should Nebraska and Tominanga be in the top 3 or 4? Perhaps. Wish we could get some explanations.
- Purdue
- Indiana
- Northwestern
- Rutgers
- Maryland
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Penn State
- Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Ohio State
- Minnesota
Next Week’s Big Games
- Indiana at Michigan State – Tuesday at 9 PM EST
- Iowa at Wisconsin – Wednesday at 9 PM EST
- Michigan at Rutgers – Thursday 8:30 PM EST
- Northwestern at Illinois – Thursday 9 PM EST
- Game of the Week: IU at Purdue – Saturday 7:30 PM EST
- Northwestern at Maryland – Sunday 12 PM EST
- Rutgers at Penn State – Sunday 6:30 PM EST
- Out of Conference Games to Watch:
- Marquette at Creighton (Tuesday 8:30 EST) Big East Title could be on the line
- Texas at Baylor (Saturday 2 PM EST) for who will finish 2nd in Big 12 behind Kansas ofc
- St. Mary’s at Gonzaga (Saturday 10PM EST) for a latenight slice to decide the WCC
Maryland was the last spotlight team left, so next week’s article will be a Championship Race deep dive across the country! Another great week in College Basketball as we enter Title stretches!