The Final Score - Your source for Big Ten Sports

Get Gamm - Week Five
Buckeye Nation and Phats are picking some games with me, games that are near and dear to their hearts. Some big games on tap this week in a conference that is still lacking respect from the pundits but one that is quietly racking up impressive credentials...

Tuesday
Purdue @ Wisconsin - Huge game for both. Wisconsin is hemorrhaging big time and needs to get the ship righted or the NIT starts to look like the March destination. Purdue is starting to roll and has earned one of the rare wins in the Kohl of late. Home court means something, but talent beats home court in this one. Purdue by 10.

BuckeyeNation says ... Wisconsin

Phats says ... Boilers starting to play really good basketball as of late, and started off this tough stretch of road games with a nice win at the Barn. Winning at Wisconsin is never easy, and the task got even harder since we'll be facing a mad Badger team that might start need to looking at games as must wins. Boilers will play their typical tough defense, and a healthy Kramer, and Hummel back in the starting five will mean a victory for Purdue. PURDUE over Wisconsin

Wednesday
Michigan @ Ohio State - Ohio State is on a tumble since winning in Ann Arbor. Michigan finally ended a streak with a nice win over Northwestern. Two teams that are young and evenly matched. In those cases, look to the home court edge. Ohio State gets the W by 8.

BuckeyeNation says ... The rivalry continues in this rematch of a game that the Buckeyes stole in Ann Arbor a little over a week ago. The Wolverines are coming off a big win at home against Northwestern, who likely was still celebrating their huge win at conference leader MSU in East Lansing. The Buckeyes have dropped their last two, and are in desperate need of a win at home. Both teams are young, but the Buckeyes are down a few players in their rotation, which MSU exploited brilliantly. As in their first meeting, the Buckeyes' formula for success is to contain UM on the perimeter, and dominate them underneath. UM's formula will be to knock down 3s with unbridled impunity, and hope OSU panics as a result. The crowd should be rocking the Schott on Wednesday, because, after all, this is OSU-Michigan. Look for the Buckeyes to rebound with a much-needed victory. Ohio State 67 - Michigan 60

Phats says ... Ohio State

Indiana @ Northwestern - Two teams in a bit of a role reversal. Northwestern gets a win to make it three of the last four.

BuckeyeNation says ... Northwestern
Phats says ... Northwestern

Thursday
Michigan State @ Iowa - Carver Hawkeye is never all that kind to MSU (see 36 points last year) but the Spartans are really playing well on the road and seemed to find a renewed purpose after a shaky start at Ohio State. This is a chance to start a nice four game run before the meat of the schedule really kicks in. State wins by 15.

BuckeyeNation says ... Michigan State
Phats says ... Michigan State

Illinois @ Minnesota (Tiebreaker) - The game of the week in the Big Ten. Minnesota has already lost at The Barn twice and needs to win out at home to hope to stay in the title mix. Illinois is playing as well as anyone, including Michigan State. This should be a fantastic game. It is tough to pick against Illinois right now, but I think the Gophers are ripe for a big win, especially at home. Minnesota 64 - Illinois 61.

BuckeyeNation says ... This is truly a "pick 'em" game. Illinois get the slight edge on being the better team, but Tubby has Minnesota believing in themselves this season, plus they enjoy a tremendous home court advantage in "the Barn," although the Big 10 co-favorites this year have both come out with a victory in the Twin Cities. The Gophers have looked shaky during the past week or so, and were lucky to come out with a win at Bloomington on Sunday. Illinois, on the other hand has hit its stride and Bruce Weber has the Illini contending for the Big 10 title and primed for a bid to the Big Dance after last season's bad dream. Nevertheless, it is tough to win on the road in the Big 10. This one will go down to the wire with the Gophers hitting a ridiculous shot at the buzzer to win it. Minnesota 71 - Illinois 69

Phats says ... This is a tough one, Illinois seems to be playing really well, and Minnesota seems to be going on a downward trend, if this game were at Illinois it'd be a no brainer, but the Barn is a very tough place to play. I will take Minnesota in a close game. MINNESOTA 66 illinois 64

Saturday
Michigan @ Purdue - The second of two big tests for the Wolverines. Purdue lost once at home, though, and won't lose at Mackey again this year. Purdue by 12.

BuckeyeNation says ... Purdue

Phats says ... The one home game in a 5 game stretch for the Boilers, and it's a scary one, mostly because you never know which Michigan team you're going to get. They are definitely dangerous, but the Boilermakers are playing really well right now, and I see them keeping that winning streak going, and keeping the pressure on MSU. PURDUE over michigan

Ohio State @ Indiana - Might the Hoosiers finally get a win in league play? It will happen at some point. Why not this one? IU in an upset.

BuckeyeNation says ... Who would've ever thunk it? The Indiana Hoosiers being a doormat IN HOOPS and the closest thing to a "gimme" in the Big 10 this season. Probably the last time that happened was during an era when peach baskets and the two-handed set shot were all the rage in hoops. Although the Hoosiers are decimated on their roster as a result of departures and NCAA probation, Tom Crean has gotten them to put a scare into a few Big 10 teams at Assembly Hall. The Buckeyes have a young, thin rotation due to injuries and an unforeseen transfer. Moreover, OSU will need to bring their "A game" because Indiana will lay down for no one at home. From a talent standpoint, this should be a win for OSU, and I believe Thad Matta will have his guys ready to gut out another much-needed win on the road. Ohio State 65 - Indiana 61.

Phats says ... Ohio State

Wisconsin @ Northwestern - If Wisconsin loses to Purdue at home, I think it could get really ugly. Northwestern is playing well and gets this W.

BuckeyeNation says ... Wisconsin
Phats says ... Wisconsin

Sunday
Penn State @ Michigan State - The white hot Nittany Lions get a week off to prepare for Michigan State. I think we might see more of that zone that stymied the Spartans late in State College. However, sorry to say for the fans of the Nits, NO WAY Michigan State loses at home again this year. MSU by 10.

BuckeyeNation says ... Michigan State
Phats says ... Michigan State

Iowa @ Illinois - Illinois gets a big home win over Iowa.

BuckeyeNation says ... Illinois
Phats says ... Illinois