Big Ten Basketball 2022/2023 - Return to Power (1 Viewer)

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

And the day goes from awful to worse...Branden Dawson torn ACL. No way MSU makes a tourney run without him.

No doubt it's going to hurt, but we still have plenty of talent to make a very good run. I just hope the kid makes a good comeback and is ready for next Fall. Everyone, and I mean everyone, now has to really step it up. Wood looked good today, but he quit shooting. Time for Payne and Appling to live up to their billing. Our defense has to get much better than we've shown over the past 2 games as well. We're giving bunny shots away 70% of the time. I'll wait to see the bracket to make any hasty judgements on our prospects in the tourney. The one benefit of the Big Ten tourney, it now gives Izzo a change to look at some different pairings prior to the big dance Just trying to stay positive.

 

[Glass Joe]

Draymond green fouled out with 7:10 left:

He had 2 fouls in the first half. Second half he had a technical, a foul on craft after a steal, and the last one with 7:10 to play. I went back and checked the cbs play-by-play log. It shows the same. HOW DID NOBODY ON THE STAFF REALIZE IT?

 

[Glass Joe]

Per buck nuts...

 

[r0llin_game]

I'd blame Ted Valentine.

 

[wadegarrett]

Unbelievable comeback by OSU yesterday and clutch shot by Buford. Huge boost heading into the conference and NCAA tournaments.

 

[The Commish]

This will be the best conference tournament from beginning to end this year. It's not close.

 

[wadegarrett]

2012 BIG TEN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Indianapolis, Indiana

FIRST ROUND - Thursday March 8

#8 Iowa (8-10, 16-15) vs. #9 Illinois (6-12, 17-14), 11:30am on B1G Network

#5 Indiana (11-7, 24-7) vs. #12 Penn State (4-14, 12-19), 2:00pm B1G Network

#7 Northwestern (8-10, 18-12) vs. #10 Minnesota (6-12, 18-13), 5:30pm on ESPN2

#6 Purdue (10-8, 20-11) vs. #11 Nebraska (4-14, 12-17), 8:00pm on ESPN2

QUARTERFINALS - Friday, March 9

#1 Michigan State (13-5, 24-7) v. Iowa/Illinois, Noon on ESPN

#4 Wisconsin (12-6, 23-8) v. Indiana/Penn State (9-9, 19-12), 2:30 on ESPN

#2 Michigan (13-5, 24-7) v. Northwestern/Minnesota, 6:30pm on B1G Network

#3 Ohio State (13-5, 25-6) v. Purdue/Nebraska, 9:00pm on B1G Network

SEMIFINALS - Saturday, March 10 (CBS)

Semifinal #1, 1:40pm

Semifinal #2, 4:10pm

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Sunday, March 11 - 3:30pm (CBS)

 

[The Commish]

How did they determine seedings among the top 3? Flip a coin?

 

[wadegarrett]

How did they determine seedings among the top 3? Flip a coin?

Link

 

[The Commish]

How did they determine seedings among the top 3? Flip a coin?

Link

Kinda sorry I asked.

MULTIPLE-TEAM TIE

1. Results of head-to-head competition during the regular season.

A. When comparing records against a single team or a group of teams, the higher winning percentage shall prevail, even if the number of games played against the team or group are unequal (i.e., 2-0 is better than 3-1); in the case of tied percentages vs. the team or group of 1.000 or .000 the following shall apply: 2-0 is better than 1-0; 0-1 is better than 0-2.

B. After the top team among the tied teams is determined, the second team is ranked by its record among the original tied teams, not the head-to-head record vs. the remaining team(s).

2. If the remaining teams are still tied, then each tied team's record shall be compared to the team occupying the highest position in the final regular-season standings, continuing down through the standings until one team gains an advantage.

A. When arriving at another pair of tied teams while comparing records, use each team's record against the collective tied teams as a group (prior to their own tie-breaking procedures), rather than the performance against the individual tied teams.

B. When comparing records against a single team or a group of teams, the higher winning percentage shall prevail, even if the number of games played against the team or group are unequal (i.e., 2-0 is better than 3-1); in the case of tied percentages vs. the team or group of 1.000 or .000 the following shall apply: 2-0 is better than 1-0; 0-1 is better than 0-2.

3. Won-loss percentage of all Division I opponents.

4. Coin toss conducted by the Commissioner or designee.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Wow... that was a great game. You can always tell it's March in the Big 10 when a body or two, or three, is flying after every shot. Roger Goodell wanted to levy fines but was told he had no jurisdiction.

Congratulations MSU and Michigan fans. I know MSU fans are kind of down, but Big 10 Co-Champs is nothing to be ashamed of, especially this year. Michigan, well, it's been a long time.

The Buckeyes offense had a nice "controlled" motion to it yesterday. They couldn't hit anything early on, but the movement was there. Sullinger is not doing much well besides rebounding, so I think the best offense for OSU is to continue to run the motion offense to free Buford and Thomas up. Buford is good enough to recognize if Sullinger has a no brainer match-up, but IMO, worry more about freeing those two guys up and let Sullinger crash the boards.

I also noticed that Sullinger FINALLY stopped bringing the ball down on offensive putbacks. And he scored every time.... funny how that works. Now if he'd stop dribbling so damn much when he gets the ball 3 feet from the basket, then we might have something. I'm not holding my breath. The M.O. has been out on Sullinger for bringing the ball down for a while.

Looking forward to the Big 10 tourney!

 

[GreatLakesMike]

2012 BIG TEN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Indianapolis, Indiana

FIRST ROUND - Thursday March 8

#8 Iowa (8-10, 16-15) vs. #9 Illinois (6-12, 17-14), 11:30am on B1G Network

#5 Indiana (11-7, 24-7) vs. #12 Penn State (4-14, 12-19), 2:00pm B1G Network

#7 Northwestern (8-10, 18-12) vs. #10 Minnesota (6-12, 18-13), 5:30pm on ESPN2

#6 Purdue (10-8, 20-11) vs. #11 Nebraska (4-14, 12-17), 8:00pm on ESPN2

QUARTERFINALS - Friday, March 9

#1 Michigan State (13-5, 24-7) v. Iowa/Illinois, Noon on ESPN

#4 Wisconsin (12-6, 23-8) v. Indiana/Penn State (9-9, 19-12), 2:30 on ESPN

#2 Michigan (13-5, 24-7) v. Northwestern/Minnesota, 6:30pm on B1G Network

#3 Ohio State (13-5, 25-6) v. Purdue/Nebraska, 9:00pm on B1G Network

SEMIFINALS - Saturday, March 10 (CBS)

Semifinal #1, 1:40pm

Semifinal #2, 4:10pm

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Sunday, March 11 - 3:30pm (CBS)

I still like MSU and OSU to play for a 3rd time, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see two middle of the pack teams playing in the Title game.I love that potential Northwestern - Michigan match-up in the Quarterfinals. Both games between those two went into O.T. this year.

Ohio State vs Purdue is another one to watch (Sorry Nebraska fans). Purdue played the Buckeyes tough in Columbus and Ohio State had no answer for the high ball screens and pick and rolls.

I.U. vs Wisconsin...... Wow. A lot of great quarterfinal games.

 

[Bobcat10]

When the matchups present itself, or maybe to cause mismatch for the opponent, I'd like to see more of Rav and Sully together on the court.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

2012 BIG TEN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Indianapolis, Indiana

FIRST ROUND - Thursday March 8

#8 Iowa (8-10, 16-15) vs. #9 Illinois (6-12, 17-14), 11:30am on B1G Network

#5 Indiana (11-7, 24-7) vs. #12 Penn State (4-14, 12-19), 2:00pm B1G Network

#7 Northwestern (8-10, 18-12) vs. #10 Minnesota (6-12, 18-13), 5:30pm on ESPN2

#6 Purdue (10-8, 20-11) vs. #11 Nebraska (4-14, 12-17), 8:00pm on ESPN2

QUARTERFINALS - Friday, March 9

#1 Michigan State (13-5, 24-7) v. Iowa/Illinois, Noon on ESPN

#4 Wisconsin (12-6, 23-8) v. Indiana/Penn State (9-9, 19-12), 2:30 on ESPN

#2 Michigan (13-5, 24-7) v. Northwestern/Minnesota, 6:30pm on B1G Network

#3 Ohio State (13-5, 25-6) v. Purdue/Nebraska, 9:00pm on B1G Network

SEMIFINALS - Saturday, March 10 (CBS)

Semifinal #1, 1:40pm

Semifinal #2, 4:10pm

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Sunday, March 11 - 3:30pm (CBS)

I still like MSU and OSU to play for a 3rd time, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see two middle of the pack teams playing in the Title game.I love that potential Northwestern - Michigan match-up in the Quarterfinals. Both games between those two went into O.T. this year.

Ohio State vs Purdue is another one to watch (Sorry Nebraska fans). Purdue played the Buckeyes tough in Columbus and Ohio State had no answer for the high ball screens and pick and rolls.

I.U. vs Wisconsin...... Wow. A lot of great quarterfinal games.

Agree...This has the potential to be the best B1G tourney ever.

 

[wadegarrett]

2012 BIG TEN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Indianapolis, Indiana

FIRST ROUND - Thursday March 8

#8 Iowa (8-10, 16-15) vs. #9 Illinois (6-12, 17-14), 11:30am on B1G Network

#5 Indiana (11-7, 24-7) vs. #12 Penn State (4-14, 12-19), 2:00pm B1G Network

#7 Northwestern (8-10, 18-12) vs. #10 Minnesota (6-12, 18-13), 5:30pm on ESPN2

#6 Purdue (10-8, 20-11) vs. #11 Nebraska (4-14, 12-17), 8:00pm on ESPN2

QUARTERFINALS - Friday, March 9

#1 Michigan State (13-5, 24-7) v. Iowa/Illinois, Noon on ESPN

#4 Wisconsin (12-6, 23-8) v. Indiana/Penn State (9-9, 19-12), 2:30 on ESPN

#2 Michigan (13-5, 24-7) v. Northwestern/Minnesota, 6:30pm on B1G Network

#3 Ohio State (13-5, 25-6) v. Purdue/Nebraska, 9:00pm on B1G Network

SEMIFINALS - Saturday, March 10 (CBS)

Semifinal #1, 1:40pm

Semifinal #2, 4:10pm

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Sunday, March 11 - 3:30pm (CBS)

I still like MSU and OSU to play for a 3rd time, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see two middle of the pack teams playing in the Title game.I love that potential Northwestern - Michigan match-up in the Quarterfinals. Both games between those two went into O.T. this year.

Ohio State vs Purdue is another one to watch (Sorry Nebraska fans). Purdue played the Buckeyes tough in Columbus and Ohio State had no answer for the high ball screens and pick and rolls.

I.U. vs Wisconsin...... Wow. A lot of great quarterfinal games.

Floating around the bubble now but if Northwestern wins 2, they're a lock for the NCAA tourney.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

When the matchups present itself, or maybe to cause mismatch for the opponent, I'd like to see more of Rav and Sully together on the court.

Matta has used both a few times this year, but with Sullinger in foul trouble yesterday, there wasn't much he could do. I like Amir Williams as well, but I'm not sure if I'd want to rely him on him in long stretches this time of the season.

 

[wadegarrett]

Bummer to see that about Dawson.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Floating around the bubble now but if Northwestern wins 2, they're a lock for the NCAA tourney.

They would be. I think they're a lock if they beat Minnesota. Murray St. and Creighton winning their conference championships certainly helped Northwestern's chances.

 

[wadegarrett]

And someone needs to punch Ted Valentine in the face. If you're getting noticed that much as an Official, you're doing something wrong.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Floating around the bubble now but if Northwestern wins 2, they're a lock for the NCAA tourney.

They would be. I think they're a lock if they beat Minnesota. Murray St. and Creighton winning their conference championships certainly helped Northwestern's chances.

I think they only need one win in the tourney and they are in myself.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Bummer to see that about Dawson.

I agree. It seems like 1 of the top Big 10 teams loses a key player every season, late in the season more often than not.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

And someone needs to punch Ted Valentine in the face. If you're getting noticed that much as an Official, you're doing something wrong.

Preaching to the choir here my friend. Dude is abyssmal....

 

[The General]

And someone needs to punch Ted Valentine in the face. If you're getting noticed that much as an Official, you're doing something wrong.

The only guy that would have done that is doing games on ESPN with Brent Musburger.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Speaking of horrible officials, I've noticed Hightower popping up more and more lately.

 

[SecondCity34]

If Northwestern had a decent coach (or even had one big guy who could consistently rebound), they would be in the Tournament, no question. Carmody is an absolutely atrocious in-game coach and the amount of posturing he does on the sidelines is an embarrassment. I hope the 'Cats make it, but if they don't, I hope they don't re-sign Carmody after the season. He sucks.

 

[wadegarrett]

Floating around the bubble now but if Northwestern wins 2, they're a lock for the NCAA tourney.

They would be. I think they're a lock if they beat Minnesota. Murray St. and Creighton winning their conference championships certainly helped Northwestern's chances.

I think they only need one win in the tourney and they are in myself.

Yeah probably...one of last 4 in right now per Lunardi

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Really like where MSU is in Lunardi's updated bracket today...Bracketology

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Really like where MSU is in Lunardi's updated bracket today...Bracketology

I'd rather be in the East, but not being in the South or West regions is probably best with the way Kentucky and UNC are playing.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Really like where MSU is in Lunardi's updated bracket today...Bracketology

I'd rather be in the East, but not being in the South or West regions is probably best with the way Kentucky and UNC are playing.

MSU probably wouldnt go to the East.

 

[wadegarrett]

Speaking of horrible officials, I've noticed Hightower popping up more and more lately.

Hightower and Valentine popular on the 'Most Active' tabs here. Good time waster too.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Really like where MSU is in Lunardi's updated bracket today...Bracketology

I'd rather be in the East, but not being in the South or West regions is probably best with the way Kentucky and UNC are playing.

MSU probably wouldnt go to the East.

I know... just saying that I think Syracuse is the weakest of the #1 seeds, of course, that often times means nothing. I think the selection committee usually does a decent job putting the field together, but I think they've done a horrible job with the match-ups and seedings lately. It seems like every year now there's an extremely stacked region, a strong region, a weak region, and then Duke's region.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Speaking of horrible officials, I've noticed Hightower popping up more and more lately.

Hightower and Valentine popular on the 'Most Active' tabs here. Good time waster too.

 

[wadegarrett]

 

[pigskinliquors]

 

[The Commish]

This is gonna piss the guys at rcmb off to no end....be right back.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

CONGRATS TO DRAYMOND GREEN - 2012 BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

CONGRATS TO COACH IZZO - 2012 BIG TEN COACH OF THE YEAR

 

[Garrett]

Kind of surprised Crean was not coach of the year.

 

[SofaKings]

Kind of surprised Crean was not coach of the year.

Yeah, I wonder how that vote shook out. Beilein was probably top 3.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Kind of surprised Crean was not coach of the year.

Yeah, I wonder how that vote shook out. Beilein was probably top 3.

I think Beilein should have won. Izzo is a great coach, but MSU was expected to finish no worse than 2nd in the Big 10 this year. I was higher on Michigan than most before the year started, but even then, I thought they'd finish 3rd. I thought Purdue was NIT bound this year, so I think Painter belongs in the discussion.As far as Crean....Indy's jump was nice, but if they didn't underperform last year, then it wouldn't have looked so great.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Kind of surprised Crean was not coach of the year.

Yeah, I wonder how that vote shook out. Beilein was probably top 3.

I think Beilein should have won. Izzo is a great coach, but MSU was expected to finish no worse than 2nd in the Big 10 this year. I was higher on Michigan than most before the year started, but even then, I thought they'd finish 3rd. I thought Purdue was NIT bound this year, so I think Painter belongs in the discussion.

As far as Crean....Indy's jump was nice, but if they didn't underperform last year, then it wouldn't have looked so great.

LINK to Bold?

AP Top 25 rankings -preseason

Top 25 Coaches Poll - preseason

AP Preseason, MSU wasn't even in the Top 25. OSU (3), Wisky (14), UM (18), were all ranked well ahead of State. Even the preseason Big Ten poll , State was rated 3 behind OSU and Wisky. By all acounts this was going to be a down year for them. MSU finally cracked both the Coaches Top 25 and the AP Top 25 in Week 6.

See everyone expects MSU to be highly rated every preseason because of their track record, but they came in very under-rated this season.

Izzo deserves the award. I would certainly put Beilein in there for consideration as well. Heck UM was practicing at the HS gym thru the renovations to tstart the season.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Kind of surprised Crean was not coach of the year.

Yeah, I wonder how that vote shook out. Beilein was probably top 3.

I think Beilein should have won. Izzo is a great coach, but MSU was expected to finish no worse than 2nd in the Big 10 this year. I was higher on Michigan than most before the year started, but even then, I thought they'd finish 3rd. I thought Purdue was NIT bound this year, so I think Painter belongs in the discussion.

As far as Crean....Indy's jump was nice, but if they didn't underperform last year, then it wouldn't have looked so great.

LINK to Bold?

AP Top 25 rankings -preseason

Top 25 Coaches Poll - preseason

AP Preseason, MSU wasn't even in the Top 25. OSU (3), Wisky (14), UM (18), were all ranked well ahead of State. Even the preseason Big Ten poll , State was rated 3 behind OSU and Wisky. By all acounts this was going to be a down year for them. MSU finally cracked both the Coaches Top 25 and the AP Top 25 in Week 6.

See everyone expects MSU to be highly rated every preseason because of their track record, but they came in very under-rated this season.

Izzo deserves the award. I would certainly put Beilein in there for consideration as well. Heck UM was practicing at the HS gym thru the renovations to tstart the season.

It was my preseason prediction. That's all that matters. lol... I never pay attention to the polls or "experts." I heard all of what you posted on the radio on the way home today. Shows how much the polls and experts predictions matter. I guess in situations like these, they do, but Wisconsin above MSU? Come on...

 

[urbanhack]

Congrats to Robbie Hummel. Great career even with two major knee injuries. What a great kid.

 

[phatdawg]

Kind of surprised Crean was not coach of the year.

Yeah, I wonder how that vote shook out. Beilein was probably top 3.

I think Beilein should have won. Izzo is a great coach, but MSU was expected to finish no worse than 2nd in the Big 10 this year. I was higher on Michigan than most before the year started, but even then, I thought they'd finish 3rd. I thought Purdue was NIT bound this year, so I think Painter belongs in the discussion.

As far as Crean....Indy's jump was nice, but if they didn't underperform last year, then it wouldn't have looked so great.

LINK to Bold?

AP Top 25 rankings -preseason

Top 25 Coaches Poll - preseason

AP Preseason, MSU wasn't even in the Top 25. OSU (3), Wisky (14), UM (18), were all ranked well ahead of State. Even the preseason Big Ten poll , State was rated 3 behind OSU and Wisky. By all acounts this was going to be a down year for them. MSU finally cracked both the Coaches Top 25 and the AP Top 25 in Week 6.

See everyone expects MSU to be highly rated every preseason because of their track record, but they came in very under-rated this season.

Izzo deserves the award. I would certainly put Beilein in there for consideration as well. Heck UM was practicing at the HS gym thru the renovations to tstart the season.

Show me where Indiana was in the national and Big Ten rated preseason in the Big Ten. They have improved by +12 games so far and could end up winning as many games this year as the last three combined. I respect Izzo and think he is one of the best in the country, but I think Crean should have gotten the nod this year.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Kind of surprised Crean was not coach of the year.

Yeah, I wonder how that vote shook out. Beilein was probably top 3.

I think Beilein should have won. Izzo is a great coach, but MSU was expected to finish no worse than 2nd in the Big 10 this year. I was higher on Michigan than most before the year started, but even then, I thought they'd finish 3rd. I thought Purdue was NIT bound this year, so I think Painter belongs in the discussion.

As far as Crean....Indy's jump was nice, but if they didn't underperform last year, then it wouldn't have looked so great.

LINK to Bold?

AP Top 25 rankings -preseason

Top 25 Coaches Poll - preseason

AP Preseason, MSU wasn't even in the Top 25. OSU (3), Wisky (14), UM (18), were all ranked well ahead of State. Even the preseason Big Ten poll , State was rated 3 behind OSU and Wisky. By all acounts this was going to be a down year for them. MSU finally cracked both the Coaches Top 25 and the AP Top 25 in Week 6.

See everyone expects MSU to be highly rated every preseason because of their track record, but they came in very under-rated this season.

Izzo deserves the award. I would certainly put Beilein in there for consideration as well. Heck UM was practicing at the HS gym thru the renovations to tstart the season.

It was my preseason prediction. That's all that matters. lol... I never pay attention to the polls or "experts." I heard all of what you posted on the radio on the way home today. Shows how much the polls and experts predictions matter. I guess in situations like these, they do, but Wisconsin above MSU? Come on...

This season State lost a significant core of the team right from the get-go that they were counting on from the previous season with Roe (injury-retirement) and Lucious (removed from team). Summers and Lucas graduated, so they really only returned Green from last year.'s starting unit. The others (Payne, Appling, Thorton, Nix) that played a significant role this year were bit players last year. They also ended a totally disappointing season (Preseason #2 pick, ended 19-15) getting bounced out of the NCAA by UCLA in the first round. They came into this season with no expectations at all..while to a large extent, tOSU, and a bit less of an extent Michigan, were coming off good runs at the end of last season and had a good set of returning starters. Wisconsin also had a decent run at the end of their season (losing to Butler in the Regional SemiFinal) and had a decent group coming back.None of this stuff really matters in the long run. I just think it shows a in a way what kind of job Izzo did do in bringing together a team that looked near collapse at the beginning of the season. Ulitimately any one of Beilein, Crean, Matta, or Izzo would have been deserving of the COY IMO.

Really looking forward to more great B1G bball this week in the tourney.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Kind of surprised Crean was not coach of the year.

Yeah, I wonder how that vote shook out. Beilein was probably top 3.

I think Beilein should have won. Izzo is a great coach, but MSU was expected to finish no worse than 2nd in the Big 10 this year. I was higher on Michigan than most before the year started, but even then, I thought they'd finish 3rd. I thought Purdue was NIT bound this year, so I think Painter belongs in the discussion.

As far as Crean....Indy's jump was nice, but if they didn't underperform last year, then it wouldn't have looked so great.

LINK to Bold?

AP Top 25 rankings -preseason

Top 25 Coaches Poll - preseason

AP Preseason, MSU wasn't even in the Top 25. OSU (3), Wisky (14), UM (18), were all ranked well ahead of State. Even the preseason Big Ten poll , State was rated 3 behind OSU and Wisky. By all acounts this was going to be a down year for them. MSU finally cracked both the Coaches Top 25 and the AP Top 25 in Week 6.

See everyone expects MSU to be highly rated every preseason because of their track record, but they came in very under-rated this season.

Izzo deserves the award. I would certainly put Beilein in there for consideration as well. Heck UM was practicing at the HS gym thru the renovations to tstart the season.

Show me where Indiana was in the national and Big Ten rated preseason in the Big Ten. They have improved by +12 games so far and could end up winning as many games this year as the last three combined. I respect Izzo and think he is one of the best in the country, but I think Crean should have gotten the nod this year.

no argument here

 

[Garrett]

Anyone else going to the tournament? I'll be there tomorrow and Friday. I am looking forward to pretty much every game this year.

 

[Garrett]

Congrats to Robbie Hummel. Great career even with two major knee injuries. What a great kid.

I'm certainly not a Purdue fan, but I was really happy to see him back out there and competing at a high level. The kid has been through a lot of setbacks.

 

[Garrett]

I know... just saying that I think Syracuse is the weakest of the #1 seeds, of course, that often times means nothing.

I think the selection committee usually does a decent job putting the field together, but I think they've done a horrible job with the match-ups and seedings lately. It seems like every year now there's an extremely stacked region, a strong region, a weak region, and then Duke's region.

...because it is true.Back to Syracuse, I agree they are the most vulnerable #1 candidate. I would love to see Indiana get a shot at that zone with Hulls and Roth around the perimeter. I have no idea how Indiana could stop them defensively, but if there is a team in the tournament that a zone team does not want to go up against it is IU.

 

[pigskinliquors]

Which of the Big 10 teams advance to the final 8?!!

(4)Indiana vs. (1)Kentucky [Kentucky favored by 9]

(1) Michigan State vs. (4)Louisville [MSU favored by 5]

(1)Syracuse vs. (4)Wisconsin [syracuse favored by 3.5]

(2)Ohio State vs. (6)Cincinnati [OSU favored by 7.5]

While Indiana has been playing well, I think Kentucky is still the best team in the country, and see this game as somewhat of a blowout. Nothing against Indiana, but Kentucky is damn good, and will have a revenge factor to keep the pedal down late. I guess Kentucky by 16.

MSU just seems to be destined for another final four. I think they'll find a way to scrape a win out in a very close game. I love how well Nix has been playing, and expect Draymond to be able to make a play when it is needed. I predict MSU by 3.

Of all the #1 seeds, I think WI has the best chance against Syracuse, but am afraid that their athleticism will win out in the end. I'm envisioning a game like the UNC game at the beginning of the season, where the Badgers make Syracuse look bad, but just don't have the weapons to keep up on offense. Bucky keeps it close, but a second half scoring drought will be too much for them to overcome. I guess Syracuse by 6.

Similar to the Indiana game, I expect this to be a bit of a blowout as well. The only way I see this as close is if Sullinger, or actually ANY OSU starter get into foul trouble early. OSU has almost no depth, but their starting 5 are as good as any in the country. I predict OSU by 10.

 

[Keerock]

Which of the Big 10 teams advance to the final 8?!! (4)Indiana vs. (1)Kentucky [Kentucky favored by 9](1) Michigan State vs. (4)Louisville [MSU favored by 5](1)Syracuse vs. (4)Wisconsin [syracuse favored by 3.5](2)Ohio State vs. (6)Cincinnati [OSU favored by 7.5]While Indiana has been playing well, I think Kentucky is still the best team in the country, and see this game as somewhat of a blowout. Nothing against Indiana, but Kentucky is damn good, and will have a revenge factor to keep the pedal down late. I guess Kentucky by 16. MSU just seems to be destined for another final four. I think they'll find a way to scrape a win out in a very close game. I love how well Nix has been playing, and expect Draymond to be able to make a play when it is needed. I predict MSU by 3.Of all the #1 seeds, I think WI has the best chance against Syracuse, but am afraid that their athleticism will win out in the end. I'm envisioning a game like the UNC game at the beginning of the season, where the Badgers make Syracuse look bad, but just don't have the weapons to keep up on offense. Bucky keeps it close, but a second half scoring drought will be too much for them to overcome. I guess Syracuse by 6. Similar to the Indiana game, I expect this to be a bit of a blowout as well. The only way I see this as close is if Sullinger, or actually ANY OSU starter get into foul trouble early. OSU has almost no depth, but their starting 5 are as good as any in the country. I predict OSU by 10.

Hard to argue any of your picks, but I give Wiscy a better than decent shot at knocking off 'Cuse. The Orange doesn't play great defense which will keep the Badgers in the game. If their defense can stifle Syracuse like it has on occasion to other top caliber teams this year, I like their chances.