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Get Gamm – Week Eight
Oh doggy, ESPN calls it Judgment Week and for good reason. This is, by far, the most important week of play in the Big Ten so far this season, possibly the biggest we’ll see even with four more games remaining for most teams.

Have just returned from the warm sunshine of Florida, and not a lot changed while I was gone. Ohio State and Wisconsin remain the cream of the crop, and there is a logjam of epic proportions from slot three through eight. A lot remains at stake for the chasers and oh by the way, Wisconsin travels to Columbus for a little one versus two battle for the crown.

Home teams are now 47-21 (.691) after a 7-3 week but a closer look shows that the top eight teams are an astounding 46-4 (.920) in the friendly confines of their home cage.

This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 20 – Wisconsin at Michigan State
Feb. 21 – Minnesota at Indiana
Feb. 21 – Penn State at Ohio State
Feb. 21 – Texas Pan Am at Northwestern
Feb. 21 – Michigan at Illinois
Feb. 21 – Purdue at Iowa
Feb. 24 – Purdue at Northwestern
Feb. 24 – Illinois at Penn State
Feb. 24 – Michigan at Minnesota
Feb. 24 – Indiana at Michigan State
Feb. 25 – Wisconsin at Ohio State (Tiebreaker)

Wisconsin travels to Michigan State for a really tough road game before an even tougher road game. I like how the Spartans are playing right now and they still feel urgency to win out at home to ensure a .500 league record. In a classic Badgers vs. Spartans thriller… Michigan State 67 – Wisconsin 66.

Indiana is on a losing skid and needs a little home cooking to get a stranglehold on the third seed in the Big Ten. Minnesota is playing tough but doesn’t have enough horses. Indiana 71 – Minnesota 62.

Penn State gets another shot at Ohio State but more than certainly got their attention with an amazing comeback that fell just short last week. OSU has to be careful to not look ahead to Sunday’s game with the Badgers. Ohio State 73 – Penn State 56.

Texas Pan Am is just what the doctor ordered for Northwestern, who needs to get back to .500 to entertain any thoughts of making the NIT. Northwestern 57 – Texas Pan Am 53.

Another huge game this Judgment Week. Illinois is definitely out numbered but has the home court that is so needed at this time of year. Michigan sprung back to life with a big win over Indiana, but this is a road game. Illinois 56 – Michigan 52.

Purdue at Iowa continues the hugely important stretch run games in the Big Ten. Iowa needs to pile up wins more than anyone thanks to an awful non conference run. Purdue is confident and well rested. A rare upset on the road. Purdue 68 – Iowa 64.

Purdue stays on the road and takes on a Northwestern team that is always tough to beat late in the season at Welsh-Ryan. The Wildcats haven’t pulled that big upset yet and won’t in this one either. Purdue is on a mission. Purdue 63 – Northwestern 55.

Illinois needs all the wins they can get and this one is a vital should win game. The trouble is, Penn State is bound to beat someone. They have too much talent not to. The lack of depth finally catches up to the Illini. Penn State 64 – Illinois 59.

This is a good chance for Michigan to get another much-needed win, but I don’t like how the Wolverines struggled at home against the Gophers a little more than a week ago. Still, Minnesota has been beaten and battered of late and will struggle to get over the hump. Michigan 73 – Minnesota 65.

A big battle in the Big Ten brings the ESPN Game Day crew to the Breslin Center for a late Saturday night clash between two teams hungry to get both feet firmly off the NCAA bubble. Indiana has struggled of late but handled Michigan State with ease in the opening week of conference play. Michigan State has found the energy and desire to go on a patented late February run. This is the home finale for a team devoid of seniors. The Izzone will be rocking and it will matter. Michigan State 69 – Indiana 62.

The Judgment Week game of all games in the NCAA. No. 1 vs. No. 2. The battle for the Big Ten title. Well, assuming my prediction above doesn’t come to fruition. Even if the Badgers come in a game back, this one is likely for all the marbles. Oden vs. Tucker. Conley vs. Taylor. Wisconsin got the Buckeyes early on at the Kohl and this time the scarlet and gray get the upper hand. Ohio State 74 – Wisconsin 72.

Get Gamm Standings
phatsdawg went a perfect 10-0 last week to get his first Get Gamm win of the basketball season. The standings are tight with many key toss-ups games on the slate this weekend.

1 – Buckeye Nation 66-16 (.805) – 3 GG Wins
2 – Gamm 65-17 (.792) – 2 GG Wins
3 – Dan Meyer 63-19 (.768) – 1 GG Win
4 – phatsdawg 60-22 (.731) – 1 GG Win