Get Gamm – Week Nine
Just nine games on tap this week and the Big Ten crown is already clinched. Don’t let that be an excuse to tune out, however. Teams like Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, maybe even Indiana are still very much playing for their tournament lives. Each can help or hinder themselves greatly with good results this week.
Indiana and Purdue have the most to gain with cupcakes gracing the slate this week. Iowa can also help itself immensely by taking care of Penn State and making a statement in the regular season finale against Illinois. The Illini would silence any speculation that they still reside on the bubble by getting a very rare road win. Michigan probably needs to sweep its rivals AND win two or more in Chicago to get a sniff, and that makes them dangerous.
Ohio State and Wisconsin can’t get any better or worse when it comes to Big Ten standings but would like to finish strong. Michigan State would love to parlay the recent string of success had at home to a big road win or two and make a case for maybe even a 5 seed in the Big Dance.
So you see, there is plenty at stake this week, not to mention the seeds 3-11 for the Big Ten Tournament next week…
This Week in the Big Ten:
February 27 – Michigan State at Michigan
February 28 – Indiana at Northwestern
February 28 – Iowa at Penn State
February 28 – Minnesota at Purdue
March 3 – Michigan State at Wisconsin
March 3 – Illinois at Iowa (Tiebreaker)
March 3 – Northwestern at Purdue
March 3 – Ohio State at Michigan
March 3 – Penn State at Indiana
Michigan is in dire need of at least one statement win if it wants to even get a glance from the NCAA Selection Committee. At least one. First thing’s first – a date with rival Michigan State. The Spartans have owned the Wolverines for going on ten years and have only been picked off by the maize and blue twice in 16 meetings. Both were in Ann Arbor. What little assistance Maize Rage might be able to offer will be rendered even less useful since the students are on Spring Break. Michigan’s desperation and Drew Neitzel’s battle with the flu are the two reasons why the Wolverines could win this game. That said, MSU plays too tough on defense and the glass and Michigan doesn’t pressure the ball enough to cause MSU to have an avalanche of turnovers. Michigan State 63 – Michigan 59.
Northwestern is due for one of those late season shocking upsets at Welsh Ryan. This is the last chance for that and to save any hopes of a postseason berth. Indiana has been struggling of late and I wonder what playing Wisconsin and Ohio State twice (rather than once) each this season would mean for the Hoosiers’ tourney hopes? Indiana is sliding towards the bubble but a win here means important breathing room. Indiana 61 – Northwestern 53.
Iowa is one of those teams that based on conference play, probably should be strongly considered for the Big Dance. Trouble is, the Hawkeyes bombed in the pre-conference portion of the season and that means Iowa needs this one and likely two or three more to get consideration. Penn State has had a miserable run this season, shocking given the decent talent on the roster. Like NU, I am surprised they haven’t had that upset win at home yet. And they won’t. Iowa 71 – Penn State 64.
Purdue is another team that just needs wins. The good news for the Boilers is that given their OOC success, they are ahead of Iowa in the pecking order. The bad news is, aside from Indiana and Michigan State, who have they taken out of note lately? Minnesota puts up a fight in every single game, which gives them a chance. But, I fully expect Purdue to take care of business. Purdue 68 – Minnesota 60.
This rematch is all about righting the ship, facing life without Brian Butch, Senior Day and payback. The outcome might be more predictable if Wisconsin had all of the above and the Big Ten title on the line, but alas the losses to MSU and OSU last week make this nothing more than the last regular season game for the Badgers. Part of me says that the Badgers will get a decent measure of payback, but another part wonders if they’ll be into the game as much with the two seed in the Big Ten tourney locked up and a one or two in the NCAA all but a shoe in. Senior Day is the difference in another classic MSU – Wisconsin battle. Wisconsin 63 – Michigan State 57.
Illinois’ trip to Iowa is the biggest game of the week – the one with the most meaning. It probably will have a bearing on the seeding for the Big Ten Tournament and certainly offers Illinois a chance to be firmly in the NCAA Tourney. It also gives Iowa a really big chance to make a late statement to the Selection Committee. Senior Day in Iowa will be one last chance for Haluska to shine bright. Iowa 64 – Illinois 62.
Northwestern could sneak up on Purdue, but it’s not likely. There isn’t much to say except this could solidify Purdue as a tournament team as well. Purdue 68 – Northwestern 49.
Much like Wisconsin, Ohio State has little to play for. Well, if pride and another win over hated Michigan is considered little. To remove any doubt of whether or not the Buckeyes deserve a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance, a big win in Ann Arbor could be key. After a tough loss at home against Michigan State, this one spells N-I-T for Michigan. Ohio State 78 – Michigan 70.
A carbon copy of Northwestern-Purdue. A chance for Indiana to erase some doubt. Indiana 74 – Penn State 56.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
February’s frenzy
It seems funny to me that all the attention in college basketball is always placed on March. No question about it, March is where champions are crowned (well, technically it happens in the first few days of April) but in my opinion, champions are made in the frenzied chaos of February.
Sure, a team can go on a run in the postseason conference tournament and then parlay that into big success in the NCAA Tournament, but more often than not, your champions are being molded in late January and February during the grind of conference play.
All season long, many thought it was Wisconsin’s Big Ten title to lose. Well, in fact it was. A schedule back-loaded with a week that included road trips to East Lansing and Columbus shattered conference championship dreams for the Badgers. Meanwhile, a one-month span (January 27 – February 25) built our champion – Ohio State. And perhaps more than that, it may have signaled that the young and ferocious Buckeyes are truly a team to be reckoned with when they say it matters most (March).
Now that the league crown is salted away and staying in Columbus, we can look at the frenzy that is late February for the rest of the Big Ten. Most experts still think the Big Ten gets five, maybe, maybe six into the Big Dance. If Indiana and Michigan State are in, that means four teams are fighting for one or two slots. Illinois seems to be a given, so that leaves three battling for one, maybe none. If you don’t love this time of year, you mustn’t have a pulse… it doesn’t get any better than this.
Congrats to the Buckeyes…
There’s another Big Ten title to boast about in Columbus. It is the second in a row on the hardwood and a nice continuation of the success of the football team. And it was done in a heckuva basketball game. A see-saw battle that the old school fans had to love. Defense, rebounding, guys getting on the floor. Vintage Big Ten ball. Ohio State, TFS salutes you.
Team of the Week…
I know, it would make total sense to give the nod to OSU as the team of the week, but bias aside, what Michigan State did might be more impressive. With backs against the wall, the Spartans stunned nemesis Wisconsin at home and then staved off the flu in a comeback win over Indiana. Two more big wins, tournament berth sealing wins, for the green and white.
Player of the Week…
The obvious choice might be Drew Neitzel from Michigan State (who was this week’s Co-PoTW with Greg Oden) for the show he put on against Wisconsin and the way he gutted through the flu to make big shots in a key win over Indiana. But I am going to go with a freshman. Raymar Morgan was the biggest reason the Spartans took out Indiana at home, despite facing a 13-point deficit. Morgan was also huge in the game against Wisconsin and solidified his case as one of the top freshman in the conference that doesn’t play for Ohio State…
March Madness...
ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi now has five Big Ten teams in (as of 2/26).
CSTV's Jerry Palm has six (as of 2/23)
Court Storming…
I’ve been searching for a really good way to put my feelings about students rushing the court after big wins in college basketball. I am not a fan of a team like Arizona State doing it just because they finally won a conference game. But I have absolutely no issue with say, the Izzone or Value City Arena crowd storming the court in celebration after a big win.
The best take on the issue comes from The State News sports columnist Ethan Conley. Well put Ethan.
This Week in the Big Ten:
February 27 – Michigan State at Michigan
February 28 – Indiana at Northwestern
February 28 – Iowa at Penn State
February 28 – Minnesota at Purdue
March 3 – Michigan State at Wisconsin
March 3 – Illinois at Iowa (Tiebreaker)
March 3 – Northwestern at Purdue
March 3 – Ohio State at Michigan
March 3 – Penn State at Indiana
Get Gamm Update:
Buckeye Nation got a huge leg up by going 10-1 this week and taking a two game lead. Get Gamm will include the Big Ten tournament and NCAA as well as NIT play as well.
1 – Buckeye Nation: 76-17 (.817) 4 GG Wins
2 – Gamm: 74-19 (.796) 2 GG Wins
3 – Dan Meyer: 72-21 (.774) 1 GG Win
4 – phastdawg: 68-25 (.731) 1 GG Win
It seems funny to me that all the attention in college basketball is always placed on March. No question about it, March is where champions are crowned (well, technically it happens in the first few days of April) but in my opinion, champions are made in the frenzied chaos of February.
Sure, a team can go on a run in the postseason conference tournament and then parlay that into big success in the NCAA Tournament, but more often than not, your champions are being molded in late January and February during the grind of conference play.
All season long, many thought it was Wisconsin’s Big Ten title to lose. Well, in fact it was. A schedule back-loaded with a week that included road trips to East Lansing and Columbus shattered conference championship dreams for the Badgers. Meanwhile, a one-month span (January 27 – February 25) built our champion – Ohio State. And perhaps more than that, it may have signaled that the young and ferocious Buckeyes are truly a team to be reckoned with when they say it matters most (March).
Now that the league crown is salted away and staying in Columbus, we can look at the frenzy that is late February for the rest of the Big Ten. Most experts still think the Big Ten gets five, maybe, maybe six into the Big Dance. If Indiana and Michigan State are in, that means four teams are fighting for one or two slots. Illinois seems to be a given, so that leaves three battling for one, maybe none. If you don’t love this time of year, you mustn’t have a pulse… it doesn’t get any better than this.
Congrats to the Buckeyes…
There’s another Big Ten title to boast about in Columbus. It is the second in a row on the hardwood and a nice continuation of the success of the football team. And it was done in a heckuva basketball game. A see-saw battle that the old school fans had to love. Defense, rebounding, guys getting on the floor. Vintage Big Ten ball. Ohio State, TFS salutes you.
Team of the Week…
I know, it would make total sense to give the nod to OSU as the team of the week, but bias aside, what Michigan State did might be more impressive. With backs against the wall, the Spartans stunned nemesis Wisconsin at home and then staved off the flu in a comeback win over Indiana. Two more big wins, tournament berth sealing wins, for the green and white.
Player of the Week…
The obvious choice might be Drew Neitzel from Michigan State (who was this week’s Co-PoTW with Greg Oden) for the show he put on against Wisconsin and the way he gutted through the flu to make big shots in a key win over Indiana. But I am going to go with a freshman. Raymar Morgan was the biggest reason the Spartans took out Indiana at home, despite facing a 13-point deficit. Morgan was also huge in the game against Wisconsin and solidified his case as one of the top freshman in the conference that doesn’t play for Ohio State…
March Madness...
ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi now has five Big Ten teams in (as of 2/26).
CSTV's Jerry Palm has six (as of 2/23)
Court Storming…
I’ve been searching for a really good way to put my feelings about students rushing the court after big wins in college basketball. I am not a fan of a team like Arizona State doing it just because they finally won a conference game. But I have absolutely no issue with say, the Izzone or Value City Arena crowd storming the court in celebration after a big win.
The best take on the issue comes from The State News sports columnist Ethan Conley. Well put Ethan.
This Week in the Big Ten:
February 27 – Michigan State at Michigan
February 28 – Indiana at Northwestern
February 28 – Iowa at Penn State
February 28 – Minnesota at Purdue
March 3 – Michigan State at Wisconsin
March 3 – Illinois at Iowa (Tiebreaker)
March 3 – Northwestern at Purdue
March 3 – Ohio State at Michigan
March 3 – Penn State at Indiana
Get Gamm Update:
Buckeye Nation got a huge leg up by going 10-1 this week and taking a two game lead. Get Gamm will include the Big Ten tournament and NCAA as well as NIT play as well.
1 – Buckeye Nation: 76-17 (.817) 4 GG Wins
2 – Gamm: 74-19 (.796) 2 GG Wins
3 – Dan Meyer: 72-21 (.774) 1 GG Win
4 – phastdawg: 68-25 (.731) 1 GG Win
Friday, February 23, 2007
Starting the March to Madness
Just in case you didn’t realize it, yesterday (Thursday) marked three weeks until the start of the greatest sports spectacle on earth – the NCAA Tournament. Since we last spoke about March Madness two weeks ago today, quite a bit has changed. Teams have risen and fallen – some even both – and the picture seems to be getting more clear.
Let me reiterate that… SEEMS to be getting more clear.
Before I get to my updated placement of Big Ten teams, let's take a look at where some of the nationally known bracket geeks have the conference slated:
ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi finally has five Big Ten teams in his bracket. Trouble is, one of his “last four in” on 2/21 was Purdue, who got hammered at Iowa. Maybe Illinois slides in that place as they were in his “next four out” category. Wisconsin is a 1, Ohio State is a 2, Indiana is an 8, Michigan State is a 10 and Purdue an 11 (though I bet he changes that to Illinois in his next update).
CSTV's Jerry Palm hasn't updated since last Friday (2/16), but then had five Big Ten teams in the dance. Wisconsin is a 1, Ohio State is also a 1, Indiana is a 6, Purdue is a 10 and Michigan State is a 12.
ESPN.com's Andy Glockner doesn't do a bracket, but has a great weekly take in his Bubble Watch column. His latest gives ultimate love to the Spartans – well deserved after the green and white dispatched No. 1 Wisconsin on Tuesday – and has two teams as locks, two as should be ins and three fighting for one more spot.
Now, what do I think? I still can’t get over the fact that they let the media in on what it is like to be a part of the Selection Committee. Man I’d love to have that gig. Eat, drink, sleep (maybe not), breathe and talk basketball non-stop for five days. Heaven in my book. Anyway, I digress…
First thing is first. Who's in? The Midwest's number 1 seed will go to the winner of the Ohio State - Wisconsin game this weekend. Even though the Badgers lost to Michigan State, if they beat OSU and avoid anything major the rest of the way they deserve a No. 1.
Given where that game is I have Ohio State as a 1 seed. Wisconsin will land a solid 2 but could still slide to a 3 if they drop two games and make an early exit in Chicago. Indiana may have fallen to the 8 range with the ugly loss at Michigan and a road trip to East Lansing on tap. Michigan State is only NOT a lock if they lose out. I.E. win one more and the Spartans are in. It’s all a matter of seeding now.
This is where it gets tricky. Illinois and Purdue and even Iowa are fighting for the other berth. Sorry Michigan fans but who have the Wolverines beaten this season aside from Indiana? Illinois has the benefit of a better OOC resume but Purdue could make a nice run and is bound to finish at least .500. Iowa needs to go 10-6 and win a game in the B10 Tourney to have a prayer of getting in, IMO. At this point, I think Illinois slides in as 10 seed, while Purdue and Iowa ready for the NIT along with Michigan.
This is what each team in contention still has left, how they stand, and what I predict:
Ohio State: Wisconsin at home; Michigan on the road. Currently 13-1, I see 15-1 , a No. 1 seed in the B10 Tourney and in the NCAA Tournament.
Wisconsin: Michigan State at home; Ohio State on the road. Currently 12-2, I see 13-3, a No. 2 seed in the B1o Tourney and in the NCAA Tournament.
Indiana: Penn State at home; Michigan State and Northwestern on the road. Currently 8-5, I see 10-6, a No. 3 seed in the B10 Tourney and an 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa: Illinois at home; Penn State on the road. Currently 8-6, I see 10-6, a No. 4 seed in the B10 Tourney but not enough out of conference "goodness" to get them into the dance. One of the last teams out, NIT bound.
Illinois: Penn State and Iowa on the road. Currently 8-6, I see 9-7, a No. 5 seed in the B10 Tourney and a 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Purdue: Minnesota and Northwestern at home; Northwestern on the road. Currently 6-7, I see 9-7, a No. 6 seed in the B10 Tourney and pins and needles on Selection Sunday. Win two in Chicago and I think they slide in. Win one, and the bubble bursts. NIT bound, but don't be shocked to see the Boilers win the NIT.
Michigan State: Indiana at home; Michigan and Wisconsin on the road. Currently 7-6, I see 9-7, a No. 7 seed in the B10 Tourney but a body of work in OOC play that included wins over several teams vying for their conference titles (BYU, Bradley, Texas, Oakland, Vermont, Loyola-Maryland). A 10 seed for the Spartans.
Michigan: Michigan State and Ohio State at home; Minnesota on the road. Currently 6-7, I see 7-9, a No. 8 seed in the B10 Tourney and a return trip to the NIT.
The Big Ten could get six with Purdue and Iowa interesting cases on the fence. But I’d bank on five for now with hopes of much later runs than the 2006 tournament.
Just in case you didn’t realize it, yesterday (Thursday) marked three weeks until the start of the greatest sports spectacle on earth – the NCAA Tournament. Since we last spoke about March Madness two weeks ago today, quite a bit has changed. Teams have risen and fallen – some even both – and the picture seems to be getting more clear.
Let me reiterate that… SEEMS to be getting more clear.
Before I get to my updated placement of Big Ten teams, let's take a look at where some of the nationally known bracket geeks have the conference slated:
ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi finally has five Big Ten teams in his bracket. Trouble is, one of his “last four in” on 2/21 was Purdue, who got hammered at Iowa. Maybe Illinois slides in that place as they were in his “next four out” category. Wisconsin is a 1, Ohio State is a 2, Indiana is an 8, Michigan State is a 10 and Purdue an 11 (though I bet he changes that to Illinois in his next update).
CSTV's Jerry Palm hasn't updated since last Friday (2/16), but then had five Big Ten teams in the dance. Wisconsin is a 1, Ohio State is also a 1, Indiana is a 6, Purdue is a 10 and Michigan State is a 12.
ESPN.com's Andy Glockner doesn't do a bracket, but has a great weekly take in his Bubble Watch column. His latest gives ultimate love to the Spartans – well deserved after the green and white dispatched No. 1 Wisconsin on Tuesday – and has two teams as locks, two as should be ins and three fighting for one more spot.
Now, what do I think? I still can’t get over the fact that they let the media in on what it is like to be a part of the Selection Committee. Man I’d love to have that gig. Eat, drink, sleep (maybe not), breathe and talk basketball non-stop for five days. Heaven in my book. Anyway, I digress…
First thing is first. Who's in? The Midwest's number 1 seed will go to the winner of the Ohio State - Wisconsin game this weekend. Even though the Badgers lost to Michigan State, if they beat OSU and avoid anything major the rest of the way they deserve a No. 1.
Given where that game is I have Ohio State as a 1 seed. Wisconsin will land a solid 2 but could still slide to a 3 if they drop two games and make an early exit in Chicago. Indiana may have fallen to the 8 range with the ugly loss at Michigan and a road trip to East Lansing on tap. Michigan State is only NOT a lock if they lose out. I.E. win one more and the Spartans are in. It’s all a matter of seeding now.
This is where it gets tricky. Illinois and Purdue and even Iowa are fighting for the other berth. Sorry Michigan fans but who have the Wolverines beaten this season aside from Indiana? Illinois has the benefit of a better OOC resume but Purdue could make a nice run and is bound to finish at least .500. Iowa needs to go 10-6 and win a game in the B10 Tourney to have a prayer of getting in, IMO. At this point, I think Illinois slides in as 10 seed, while Purdue and Iowa ready for the NIT along with Michigan.
This is what each team in contention still has left, how they stand, and what I predict:
Ohio State: Wisconsin at home; Michigan on the road. Currently 13-1, I see 15-1 , a No. 1 seed in the B10 Tourney and in the NCAA Tournament.
Wisconsin: Michigan State at home; Ohio State on the road. Currently 12-2, I see 13-3, a No. 2 seed in the B1o Tourney and in the NCAA Tournament.
Indiana: Penn State at home; Michigan State and Northwestern on the road. Currently 8-5, I see 10-6, a No. 3 seed in the B10 Tourney and an 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa: Illinois at home; Penn State on the road. Currently 8-6, I see 10-6, a No. 4 seed in the B10 Tourney but not enough out of conference "goodness" to get them into the dance. One of the last teams out, NIT bound.
Illinois: Penn State and Iowa on the road. Currently 8-6, I see 9-7, a No. 5 seed in the B10 Tourney and a 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Purdue: Minnesota and Northwestern at home; Northwestern on the road. Currently 6-7, I see 9-7, a No. 6 seed in the B10 Tourney and pins and needles on Selection Sunday. Win two in Chicago and I think they slide in. Win one, and the bubble bursts. NIT bound, but don't be shocked to see the Boilers win the NIT.
Michigan State: Indiana at home; Michigan and Wisconsin on the road. Currently 7-6, I see 9-7, a No. 7 seed in the B10 Tourney but a body of work in OOC play that included wins over several teams vying for their conference titles (BYU, Bradley, Texas, Oakland, Vermont, Loyola-Maryland). A 10 seed for the Spartans.
Michigan: Michigan State and Ohio State at home; Minnesota on the road. Currently 6-7, I see 7-9, a No. 8 seed in the B10 Tourney and a return trip to the NIT.
The Big Ten could get six with Purdue and Iowa interesting cases on the fence. But I’d bank on five for now with hopes of much later runs than the 2006 tournament.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Get Gamm – Week Seven
I’m not quite sure, aside from a handful of rivalry games, why ESPN chose last week as its rivalry week. Well, hold on a second, yes I am sure – their beloved Duke was playing host to North Carolina. I’ll give you that that game is the crème de la crème of college hoop rivalries, but to name a whole week, for that one game?
This week is much closer to Rivalry Week for the Big Ten. Michigan and Michigan State do battle. Indiana and Purdue go head to head. Wisconsin plays Minnesota and Northwestern takes on Illinois. The only rivalry game last week was Michigan at Ohio State and last I checked that’s only a real rivalry of note on the gridiron.
Enough about that, here’s the slate followed by what I think will go down this week. Note: I will be taking a posting hiatus until Tuesday the 20th so I have included next week’s schedule at the bottom in case you want to get your picks in early.
This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 13 – Michigan at Michigan State
Feb. 14 – Indiana at Purdue (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 14 – Ohio State at Penn State
Feb. 14 – Wisconsin at Minnesota
Feb. 14 – Northwestern at Iowa
Feb. 17 – Penn State at Wisconsin
Feb. 17 – Iowa at Michigan State
Feb. 17 – Indiana at Michigan
Feb. 18 – Ohio State at Minnesota
Feb. 18 – Northwestern at Illinois
Michigan and Michigan State have a HUGE game in East Lansing Tuesday night. The Spartans have won 13 of the last 15 starting with a win at home in 1998. State needs to keep the dominance alive to start moving off the bubble and back into solid tournament standing. Michigan gained some confidence with a win over Minnesota, at home, but shouldn’t a tourney caliber team be pounding weaker foes at home? The Spartans had a week to rest up and will be firing on all cylinders. Michigan State wins by double digits yet again… Michigan State 68 – Michigan 58.
The week’s second rivalry tilt also has big time NCAA Tournament implications. Indiana is pretty safe at this point, barring a slide of epic proportions, but Purdue has work to do. A win in this one, given the remaining slate, would bode very well for the gold and black. The Boilers get some payback and stay right in the race for a tournament berth. Purdue 71 – Indiana 66.
Ohio State travels to Penn State to play one of the more underachieving teams in recent memory in the Big Ten. Penn State has some solid talent but plays no defense. They lack a real big man and that will spell doom against Oden and the Buckeyes. The only thing to watch is whether OSU can stay focused as a young team on a game they should win and not get caught looking ahead. Ohio State 77 – Penn State 68.
When the Badgers hit the road for The Barn in Minny, we’ll have our third rivalry game of the week. The difference between this and the predecessors is that those are great match-ups. Wisconsin should be able to put away a gritty and tough but very under-manned Gopher squad without much effort. Wisconsin 70 – Minnesota 56.
Northwestern is back to .500 overall and needs to make hay in its last six if it wants a shot at the back to 32-team (from 40) NIT. It won’t be easy with a trip to Iowa mid-week. The Hawkeyes have been a marvel this Big Ten season, finding ways to win just when you think there is no way they should. A surge at season’s end is also needed by Iowa to go to the postseason, but for the black and gold the goal is the Big Dance. Iowa 67 – Northwestern 55.
Nothing like playing the cream of the crop in the Big Ten this week. That’s Penn State’s task. OSU at home, followed by a trip to Madison. Ouch, not what this team and its fragile psyche needs right now. It could get ugly fast, despite the fact that the Nittany Lions hung tough with Wisconsin for most of the first match-up. Wisconsin 78 – Penn State 60.
Another home game, another HUGE game in Michigan State’s climb off the bubble. The Spartans must follow-up a win over Michigan with a win over Iowa – a team it could have beaten in the Big Ten opener despite being outplayed for most of that game. This time, the Spartans have Morgan and Joseph healthy and the Breslin Center crowd behind them. Payback for the green and white. Michigan State 70 – Iowa 64.
Indiana stays on the road and pays a visit to Michigan, a team the Hoosiers have owned for a while now, whether at home or in Crisler. If 10,000 Michigan fans dress up as empty seats again (like at the Minnesota game), there is no way the Wolverines parlay the home crowd into a much-needed win. I’m torn in this one, but the way Indiana handled Michigan in the first one and Michigan’s propensity to collapse late… Indiana 72 – Michigan 68.
Another potential trap game for the Buckeyes as they go to the other “far side” of Big Ten territory to take on the Golden Gophers. Say what you want about the 9-16 squad in maroon and gold, they play tough and scrappy and are bound to surprise someone down the stretch. With Tollickson back, Minnesota has a body to bang with Oden. The difference is that the Buckeyes bring a guy like Cook off the bench. Ohio State 67 – Minnesota 65.
The week ends with a rivalry game in the state of Illinois. Northwestern was right in the game with Illinois until the Illini exploded to an easy win in the second half of the first contest. The Illini rarely lose at home and know they need these to stay in the NCAA Tournament picture. Illinois 64 – Northwestern 49.
Next 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)
I’m not quite sure, aside from a handful of rivalry games, why ESPN chose last week as its rivalry week. Well, hold on a second, yes I am sure – their beloved Duke was playing host to North Carolina. I’ll give you that that game is the crème de la crème of college hoop rivalries, but to name a whole week, for that one game?
This week is much closer to Rivalry Week for the Big Ten. Michigan and Michigan State do battle. Indiana and Purdue go head to head. Wisconsin plays Minnesota and Northwestern takes on Illinois. The only rivalry game last week was Michigan at Ohio State and last I checked that’s only a real rivalry of note on the gridiron.
Enough about that, here’s the slate followed by what I think will go down this week. Note: I will be taking a posting hiatus until Tuesday the 20th so I have included next week’s schedule at the bottom in case you want to get your picks in early.
This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 13 – Michigan at Michigan State
Feb. 14 – Indiana at Purdue (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 14 – Ohio State at Penn State
Feb. 14 – Wisconsin at Minnesota
Feb. 14 – Northwestern at Iowa
Feb. 17 – Penn State at Wisconsin
Feb. 17 – Iowa at Michigan State
Feb. 17 – Indiana at Michigan
Feb. 18 – Ohio State at Minnesota
Feb. 18 – Northwestern at Illinois
Michigan and Michigan State have a HUGE game in East Lansing Tuesday night. The Spartans have won 13 of the last 15 starting with a win at home in 1998. State needs to keep the dominance alive to start moving off the bubble and back into solid tournament standing. Michigan gained some confidence with a win over Minnesota, at home, but shouldn’t a tourney caliber team be pounding weaker foes at home? The Spartans had a week to rest up and will be firing on all cylinders. Michigan State wins by double digits yet again… Michigan State 68 – Michigan 58.
The week’s second rivalry tilt also has big time NCAA Tournament implications. Indiana is pretty safe at this point, barring a slide of epic proportions, but Purdue has work to do. A win in this one, given the remaining slate, would bode very well for the gold and black. The Boilers get some payback and stay right in the race for a tournament berth. Purdue 71 – Indiana 66.
Ohio State travels to Penn State to play one of the more underachieving teams in recent memory in the Big Ten. Penn State has some solid talent but plays no defense. They lack a real big man and that will spell doom against Oden and the Buckeyes. The only thing to watch is whether OSU can stay focused as a young team on a game they should win and not get caught looking ahead. Ohio State 77 – Penn State 68.
When the Badgers hit the road for The Barn in Minny, we’ll have our third rivalry game of the week. The difference between this and the predecessors is that those are great match-ups. Wisconsin should be able to put away a gritty and tough but very under-manned Gopher squad without much effort. Wisconsin 70 – Minnesota 56.
Northwestern is back to .500 overall and needs to make hay in its last six if it wants a shot at the back to 32-team (from 40) NIT. It won’t be easy with a trip to Iowa mid-week. The Hawkeyes have been a marvel this Big Ten season, finding ways to win just when you think there is no way they should. A surge at season’s end is also needed by Iowa to go to the postseason, but for the black and gold the goal is the Big Dance. Iowa 67 – Northwestern 55.
Nothing like playing the cream of the crop in the Big Ten this week. That’s Penn State’s task. OSU at home, followed by a trip to Madison. Ouch, not what this team and its fragile psyche needs right now. It could get ugly fast, despite the fact that the Nittany Lions hung tough with Wisconsin for most of the first match-up. Wisconsin 78 – Penn State 60.
Another home game, another HUGE game in Michigan State’s climb off the bubble. The Spartans must follow-up a win over Michigan with a win over Iowa – a team it could have beaten in the Big Ten opener despite being outplayed for most of that game. This time, the Spartans have Morgan and Joseph healthy and the Breslin Center crowd behind them. Payback for the green and white. Michigan State 70 – Iowa 64.
Indiana stays on the road and pays a visit to Michigan, a team the Hoosiers have owned for a while now, whether at home or in Crisler. If 10,000 Michigan fans dress up as empty seats again (like at the Minnesota game), there is no way the Wolverines parlay the home crowd into a much-needed win. I’m torn in this one, but the way Indiana handled Michigan in the first one and Michigan’s propensity to collapse late… Indiana 72 – Michigan 68.
Another potential trap game for the Buckeyes as they go to the other “far side” of Big Ten territory to take on the Golden Gophers. Say what you want about the 9-16 squad in maroon and gold, they play tough and scrappy and are bound to surprise someone down the stretch. With Tollickson back, Minnesota has a body to bang with Oden. The difference is that the Buckeyes bring a guy like Cook off the bench. Ohio State 67 – Minnesota 65.
The week ends with a rivalry game in the state of Illinois. Northwestern was right in the game with Illinois until the Illini exploded to an easy win in the second half of the first contest. The Illini rarely lose at home and know they need these to stay in the NCAA Tournament picture. Illinois 64 – Northwestern 49.
Next 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)
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Cream and The Pack
I’ve harped on it all season long, the fact that this was going to be, has been and will be a two horse race for the Big Ten title and a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. As each week goes by, that just keeps getting beyond crystal clear. Wisconsin and Ohio State will play for the Big Ten title in Columbus on Sunday, February 25.
In the meantime, where and how the pack is settling is quite entertaining. The Big Ten stands to get five teams in the dance, though maybe four or as many as six. Indiana is more or less a lock, so that means Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue, Michigan and Iowa are fighting for those 1-3 berths. Michigan State and Michigan square off twice in the last three weeks. One of them will likely be eliminated due to their head-to-head match-ups. Iowa has ground to make up for a very lackluster OOC run. Illinois and Purdue stand to gain some ground with their schedules. No matter what, hang on; it’ll be a wild ride.
By the way, home teams went 7-3 last week and now stand 40-18 (.690) in conference play…
The contenders… as I touched on above and almost every week here, the Big Ten race will come down to Ohio State and Wisconsin. Each sits at 10-1 but Ohio State is firmly planted in the driver’s seat. Wisconsin still has Michigan State twice and a trip to Columbus in its last five. Ohio State entertains the Badgers at home and gets Penn State - twice.
The pack… Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and Purdue are all duking it out to avoid the dreaded first day match-up in the Big Ten tourney. Indiana is likely a lock as the third best team in the conference. That means Illinois and Michigan (currently in the 4 & 5 slots) will be fighting to hold serve while Purdue and Michigan State try to move up the ranks. The good news is, whoever falls to 6 might have to play on day one, but will get Indiana and not Wisconsin or Ohio State on day two.
The cellar dwellers… Penn State is just a flat out disappointment to me. They have two of the top rebounders in the conference and some real scoring punch but they don’t play a lick of defense. I dare say that if the Nits defended anyone half as well as they rebound, they’d be in the mix above and fighting for an NCAA bid.
Team of the week… Purdue. The Boilermakers flat out annihilated Michigan State in the midweek game and then gave Ohio State all they could handle in Columbus.On the rise… Purdue. The win over MSU was a statement victory and the near upset of the Buckeyes was also big for confidence as we hit the back stretch.
In need of some “Ws”… Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue and Michigan. This is the core group fighting for as few as one and as many as three (very unlikely) bids to the NCAA Tournament. The time to make hay is NOW!
Player of the Week…Ohio State freshman point guard Mike Conley Jr. was the catalyst in two solid home wins for the scarlet and gray. The point guard went off for a career best 23 points and also tallied 6 assists against Michigan and followed that up with a 14 point, 4 assist night against Purdue. Speaking of Purdue, David Teague was a close runner up with an unconscious second half against Michigan State and a solid 17 points at OSU.
This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 13 – Michigan at Michigan State
Feb. 14 – Indiana at Purdue (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 14 – Ohio State at Penn State
Feb. 14 – Wisconsin at Minnesota
Feb. 14 – Northwestern at Iowa
Feb. 17 – Penn State at Wisconsin
Feb. 17 – Iowa at Michigan State
Feb. 17 – Indiana at Michigan
Feb. 18 – Ohio State at Minnesota
Feb. 18 – Northwestern at Illinois
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
Three players went 9-1, but Buckeye Nation surged back in front with a perfect 10-0 slate.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 57-15 (.792) – 3 GG Wins
2 - Gamm: 56-16 (.778) – 2 GG Wins
3 - Dan Meyer: 54-18 (.750) - 1 GG Win
4 - phatsdawg: 50-22 (.694)
5 – PUFan*: 40-12 (.769) – 1 GG Win
*PUFan DNP in week five or six and moves to the bottom slot.
I’ve harped on it all season long, the fact that this was going to be, has been and will be a two horse race for the Big Ten title and a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. As each week goes by, that just keeps getting beyond crystal clear. Wisconsin and Ohio State will play for the Big Ten title in Columbus on Sunday, February 25.
In the meantime, where and how the pack is settling is quite entertaining. The Big Ten stands to get five teams in the dance, though maybe four or as many as six. Indiana is more or less a lock, so that means Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue, Michigan and Iowa are fighting for those 1-3 berths. Michigan State and Michigan square off twice in the last three weeks. One of them will likely be eliminated due to their head-to-head match-ups. Iowa has ground to make up for a very lackluster OOC run. Illinois and Purdue stand to gain some ground with their schedules. No matter what, hang on; it’ll be a wild ride.
By the way, home teams went 7-3 last week and now stand 40-18 (.690) in conference play…
The contenders… as I touched on above and almost every week here, the Big Ten race will come down to Ohio State and Wisconsin. Each sits at 10-1 but Ohio State is firmly planted in the driver’s seat. Wisconsin still has Michigan State twice and a trip to Columbus in its last five. Ohio State entertains the Badgers at home and gets Penn State - twice.
The pack… Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and Purdue are all duking it out to avoid the dreaded first day match-up in the Big Ten tourney. Indiana is likely a lock as the third best team in the conference. That means Illinois and Michigan (currently in the 4 & 5 slots) will be fighting to hold serve while Purdue and Michigan State try to move up the ranks. The good news is, whoever falls to 6 might have to play on day one, but will get Indiana and not Wisconsin or Ohio State on day two.
The cellar dwellers… Penn State is just a flat out disappointment to me. They have two of the top rebounders in the conference and some real scoring punch but they don’t play a lick of defense. I dare say that if the Nits defended anyone half as well as they rebound, they’d be in the mix above and fighting for an NCAA bid.
Team of the week… Purdue. The Boilermakers flat out annihilated Michigan State in the midweek game and then gave Ohio State all they could handle in Columbus.On the rise… Purdue. The win over MSU was a statement victory and the near upset of the Buckeyes was also big for confidence as we hit the back stretch.
In need of some “Ws”… Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue and Michigan. This is the core group fighting for as few as one and as many as three (very unlikely) bids to the NCAA Tournament. The time to make hay is NOW!
Player of the Week…Ohio State freshman point guard Mike Conley Jr. was the catalyst in two solid home wins for the scarlet and gray. The point guard went off for a career best 23 points and also tallied 6 assists against Michigan and followed that up with a 14 point, 4 assist night against Purdue. Speaking of Purdue, David Teague was a close runner up with an unconscious second half against Michigan State and a solid 17 points at OSU.
This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 13 – Michigan at Michigan State
Feb. 14 – Indiana at Purdue (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 14 – Ohio State at Penn State
Feb. 14 – Wisconsin at Minnesota
Feb. 14 – Northwestern at Iowa
Feb. 17 – Penn State at Wisconsin
Feb. 17 – Iowa at Michigan State
Feb. 17 – Indiana at Michigan
Feb. 18 – Ohio State at Minnesota
Feb. 18 – Northwestern at Illinois
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
Three players went 9-1, but Buckeye Nation surged back in front with a perfect 10-0 slate.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 57-15 (.792) – 3 GG Wins
2 - Gamm: 56-16 (.778) – 2 GG Wins
3 - Dan Meyer: 54-18 (.750) - 1 GG Win
4 - phatsdawg: 50-22 (.694)
5 – PUFan*: 40-12 (.769) – 1 GG Win
*PUFan DNP in week five or six and moves to the bottom slot.
Friday, February 09, 2007
National Signing Day, The Big Ten and March Madness...
First thing's first. For those looking for coverage of National Signing Day - forget about it. I am about as into college football recruiting as I am knitting. Talk to me in four years when we really can tell if these kids were worth all the hype.
In fact, Nick Saban said it best this week when he said, ""When you buy a puppy dog, you don't know if he's going to grow up to be the best hunting dog or not. That's like what recruiting is."
And that's all I have to say about that.
Well, except for, what the h-e-double hockey sticks is going on in Champaign?According to former MSU coach John L. Smith and now Notre Dame, something fishy.
March Madness
It's a lot more fun and worthwhile to talk college basketball in February than college football. Besides, March Madness is much more objective. Some teams are "in". Many have no chance unless they pull off one of the annual miracles in their post-season conference tourney. Several are sitting right on the proverbial "bubble," including a handful of squads from the Big Ten.
Before I get to my current placement of Big Ten teams, let's take a look at where some of the nationally known bracket geeks have the conference slated:
ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi has four Big Ten teams in his latest bracket. Wisconsin is a 1, Ohio State is a 2, Indiana is a 5 and Michigan State is one of his last four in, an 11.
CSTV's Jerry Palm hasn't updated since last Friday (2/2), but then had six Big Ten teams in the dance. Wisconsin is a 1, Ohio State is a 2, Indiana is a 6, Michigan State is a 9, Illinois is an 11 and Purdue is a 12.
ESPN.com's Andy Glockner doesn't do a bracket, but has a great weekly take in his Bubble Watch column. His latest says many in the league still have work to do. He's right.
Better even than these weekly takes, however, was the experiment that 20 writers from the USBWA (U.S. Basketball Writers Association) got to take part in this week in Indianapolis. 20 writers paired up and each duo took on the role of one of the 10 members of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. It was their chance to get a look at what really goes on and to give the group a greater understanding of all the effort, pieces and parts that go on in five days in early March.
First thing's first. For those looking for coverage of National Signing Day - forget about it. I am about as into college football recruiting as I am knitting. Talk to me in four years when we really can tell if these kids were worth all the hype.
In fact, Nick Saban said it best this week when he said, ""When you buy a puppy dog, you don't know if he's going to grow up to be the best hunting dog or not. That's like what recruiting is."
And that's all I have to say about that.
Well, except for, what the h-e-double hockey sticks is going on in Champaign?According to former MSU coach John L. Smith and now Notre Dame, something fishy.
March Madness
It's a lot more fun and worthwhile to talk college basketball in February than college football. Besides, March Madness is much more objective. Some teams are "in". Many have no chance unless they pull off one of the annual miracles in their post-season conference tourney. Several are sitting right on the proverbial "bubble," including a handful of squads from the Big Ten.
Before I get to my current placement of Big Ten teams, let's take a look at where some of the nationally known bracket geeks have the conference slated:
ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi has four Big Ten teams in his latest bracket. Wisconsin is a 1, Ohio State is a 2, Indiana is a 5 and Michigan State is one of his last four in, an 11.
CSTV's Jerry Palm hasn't updated since last Friday (2/2), but then had six Big Ten teams in the dance. Wisconsin is a 1, Ohio State is a 2, Indiana is a 6, Michigan State is a 9, Illinois is an 11 and Purdue is a 12.
ESPN.com's Andy Glockner doesn't do a bracket, but has a great weekly take in his Bubble Watch column. His latest says many in the league still have work to do. He's right.
Better even than these weekly takes, however, was the experiment that 20 writers from the USBWA (U.S. Basketball Writers Association) got to take part in this week in Indianapolis. 20 writers paired up and each duo took on the role of one of the 10 members of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. It was their chance to get a look at what really goes on and to give the group a greater understanding of all the effort, pieces and parts that go on in five days in early March.
ESPN.com writers Andy Katz and Pat Forde got to participate and what they shared in their columns was fantastic insight for fans like you and me. Trust me, both are a MUST READ.
Now, what do I think? I know I have a new found respect for what happens in that conference room at the Westin. I think the Big Ten is looking at five, maybe six. Jerry Palm was maybe a little over generous in his Feb. 2 take. Lunardi maybe a little too stingy in his latest rendering.
First thing is first. Who's in? The Midwest's number 1 seed will go to the winner of the Ohio State - Wisconsin game later this month (of course assuming the teams take care of business prior to and after that - for the most part anyway). Given where that game is I have Ohio State as a 1 seed. Wisconsin will land a solid 2 but could still slide to a 3 if they drop two games and make an early exit in Chicago. Indiana should hold in the 6 or 7 range.
This is where it gets tricky. Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue and Iowa are fighting for the other two berths. Sorry Michigan fans but who have the Wolverines beaten this season? MSU and Illinois have the benefit of a better OOC resume but Purdue could make a nice run. Iowa needs to go 10-6 and win a game in the B10 Tourney to get in, IMO. At this point, I think Illinois slides in as an 8 seed and Michigan State sneaks in ahead of Purdue and Iowa as an 11 seed.
This is what each team in contention still has left, how they stand, and what I predict:
Ohio State: Purdue, Penn State and Wisconsin at home; Penn State, Minnesota and Michigan on the road. Currently 9-1, I see 14-2, a No. 1 seed in the B10 Tourney and in the NCAA Tournament.
Wisconsin: Iowa, Penn State and Michigan State at home; Minnesota, Ohio State and Michigan State on the road. Currently 9-1, I see 13-3, a No. 2 seed in the B1o Tourney and in the NCAA Tournament.
Indiana: Illinois, Minnesota and Penn State at home; Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern on the road. Currently 6-3, I see 11-5, a No. 3 seed in the B10 Tourney and a 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Illinois: Northwestern and Michigan at home; Indiana, Penn State and Iowa on the road. Currently 6-5, I see 9-7, a No. 4 seed in the B10 Tourney and an 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa: Purdue, Northwestern and Illinois at home; Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State on the road. Currently 6-4, I see 9-7, a No. 5 seed in the B10 Tourney but not enough out of conference "goodness" to get them into the dance. One of the last teams out, NIT bound.
Purdue: Indiana, Minnesota and Northwestern at home; Ohio State, Iowa and Northwestern on the road. Currently 5-5, I see 9-7, a No. 6 seed in the B10 Tourney and pins and needles on Selection Sunday. Win two in Chicago and I think they slide in. Win one, and the bubble might burst. NIT bound, but don't be shocked to see the Boilers win the NIT.
Michigan State: Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana at home; Michigan and Wisconsin on the road. Currently 4-6, I see 8-8, a No. 7 seed in the B10 Tourney but a body of work in OOC play that included wins over several teams vying for their conference titles (BYU, Bradley, Texas, Oakland, Vermont, Loyola-Maryland). A "last team in", 11 seed in the NCAA Tourney for the Spartans.
Michigan: Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State at home; Michigan State, Illinois and Minnesota on the road. Currently 4-5, I see 8-8, a No. 8 seed in the B10 Tourney and a return trip to the NIT.
The Big Ten could get four, or it could surprise and get as many as seven depending on how the conference tournament play out and how the last few weeks go in conference play. Sit down, buckle up and prepare yourself for a wild ride to the finish!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Get Gamm - Week Six...
Some key battles ensue this week as the march to madness starts to build to a fever pitch. With two teams (Wisconsin and Ohio State) as locks, and as many as six others (Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and Purdue) battling for what looks like maybe two to three more slots, every game counts. Home teams slipped a bit last week and now stand 33-15. A glance at the slate for week six shows that the home teams will likely return to dominance.
This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 6 – Michigan at Ohio State
Feb. 7 – Illinois at Northwestern
Feb. 7 – Michigan State at Purdue
Feb. 7 – Iowa at Minnesota
Feb. 7 – Wisconsin at Penn State
Feb. 10 – Purdue at Ohio State
Feb. 10 – Illinois at Indiana (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 10 – Iowa at Wisconsin
Feb. 10 – Penn State at Northwestern
Feb. 10 – Minnesota at Michigan
Ohio State staved off a valiant comeback by Michigan State twice in a week and is in the driver's seat in the Big Ten race. Michigan had a week to prepare but is entering their usual February swoon. Ohio State rolls - OSU 78 - Michigan 61.
Illinois has perhaps the easiest remaining schedule and it starts at Northwestern. The caution is that this is when the Wildcats pull off an improbable home upset over a team with March aspirations. Northwestern shocks the Illini - NU 58 - Illinois 56.
Michigan State is in its first three game losing streak since the 2003 season. Things don't get any easier when the Spartans hit the road for Purdue. The Boilers are a far better team at Mackey than away and that gives them a big edge in this game. The pressure turns up some more on the Spartans. Purdue 63 - Michigan State 60.
Iowa is on a roll right now but needs to be careful with this trip to rival Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have looked awful and decent all in the same game quite often this season. Iowa guts out a road win and starts making a good case for their NCAA life. Iowa 67 - Minnesota 58.
Wisconsin has one of its last breathers of the season, even though it entails a road trip to central Pennsylvania. Penn State is too talented to be 1-7 in the conference but doesn't play enough defense. Wisconsin does. Wisconsin 70 - Penn State 60.
Purdue goes to Ohio State for a rematch of last week's 18-point loss. The gold and black could catch the young Buckeyes dreaming if Big Ten titles, but that's unlikely. OSU 74 - Purdue 67.
Illinois travels to Indiana in what has suddenly become a bitter rivalry. To say the relationship between Sampson and Weber is icy is an understatement. Illinois stifled the Hoosiers in the first one, but IU is a tough out at home. Indiana 64 - Illinois 57.
Another road trip for Iowa but not as easy as the trek to Minnesota. The Hawkeyes were burned by Alando Tucker in the first meeting and this time it's in Madison. UW 72 - Iowa 59.
Penn State and Northwestern battle to avoid the 11 seed in the Big Ten tourney. A win in this game is also huge if either team wants to play in the NIT. Northwestern rides the momentum of the Illinois upset to a nice win. NU 63 - PSU 58.
This might be Michigan's best chance to secure a win as they come through a stretch that includes two games with Ohio State and Michigan State as well as a battle with Indiana and a trip to Illinois. Michigan 73 - Minnesota 56.
Some key battles ensue this week as the march to madness starts to build to a fever pitch. With two teams (Wisconsin and Ohio State) as locks, and as many as six others (Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and Purdue) battling for what looks like maybe two to three more slots, every game counts. Home teams slipped a bit last week and now stand 33-15. A glance at the slate for week six shows that the home teams will likely return to dominance.
This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 6 – Michigan at Ohio State
Feb. 7 – Illinois at Northwestern
Feb. 7 – Michigan State at Purdue
Feb. 7 – Iowa at Minnesota
Feb. 7 – Wisconsin at Penn State
Feb. 10 – Purdue at Ohio State
Feb. 10 – Illinois at Indiana (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 10 – Iowa at Wisconsin
Feb. 10 – Penn State at Northwestern
Feb. 10 – Minnesota at Michigan
Ohio State staved off a valiant comeback by Michigan State twice in a week and is in the driver's seat in the Big Ten race. Michigan had a week to prepare but is entering their usual February swoon. Ohio State rolls - OSU 78 - Michigan 61.
Illinois has perhaps the easiest remaining schedule and it starts at Northwestern. The caution is that this is when the Wildcats pull off an improbable home upset over a team with March aspirations. Northwestern shocks the Illini - NU 58 - Illinois 56.
Michigan State is in its first three game losing streak since the 2003 season. Things don't get any easier when the Spartans hit the road for Purdue. The Boilers are a far better team at Mackey than away and that gives them a big edge in this game. The pressure turns up some more on the Spartans. Purdue 63 - Michigan State 60.
Iowa is on a roll right now but needs to be careful with this trip to rival Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have looked awful and decent all in the same game quite often this season. Iowa guts out a road win and starts making a good case for their NCAA life. Iowa 67 - Minnesota 58.
Wisconsin has one of its last breathers of the season, even though it entails a road trip to central Pennsylvania. Penn State is too talented to be 1-7 in the conference but doesn't play enough defense. Wisconsin does. Wisconsin 70 - Penn State 60.
Purdue goes to Ohio State for a rematch of last week's 18-point loss. The gold and black could catch the young Buckeyes dreaming if Big Ten titles, but that's unlikely. OSU 74 - Purdue 67.
Illinois travels to Indiana in what has suddenly become a bitter rivalry. To say the relationship between Sampson and Weber is icy is an understatement. Illinois stifled the Hoosiers in the first one, but IU is a tough out at home. Indiana 64 - Illinois 57.
Another road trip for Iowa but not as easy as the trek to Minnesota. The Hawkeyes were burned by Alando Tucker in the first meeting and this time it's in Madison. UW 72 - Iowa 59.
Penn State and Northwestern battle to avoid the 11 seed in the Big Ten tourney. A win in this game is also huge if either team wants to play in the NIT. Northwestern rides the momentum of the Illinois upset to a nice win. NU 63 - PSU 58.
This might be Michigan's best chance to secure a win as they come through a stretch that includes two games with Ohio State and Michigan State as well as a battle with Indiana and a trip to Illinois. Michigan 73 - Minnesota 56.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Not so sweet home after all
For the first time this season, playing at home didn’t mean semi-automatic victories. Sure, the usual suspects are caught up in the 5-5 home record for the week (i.e. Penn State and Northwestern losing at home) but Purdue and Michigan State also lost at home and had been previously unscathed, and Michigan blew a 14-point lead in a home loss to Iowa. That leaves home teams 33-15 (.688) heading into the stretch run and oh by the way, the league is breaking into three distinct parts – contenders, position seekers and cellar dwellers.
The contenders… as has been the thought all along, the Big Ten race will come down to Ohio State and Wisconsin. Each sits at 8-1 but you have to say that Ohio State is firmly planted in the driver’s seat. Why? Simple – the remaining schedule. Wisconsin has Michigan State twice and a trip to Columbus in its last seven and also have the surging Hawkeyes at home. Ohio State entertains the meat of its left-over games at home and gets Penn State twice.
The position seekers… Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and Purdue are all duking it out to avoid the dreaded first day match-up in the Big Ten tourney. Indiana is pretty comfy at 6-3 and has a relatively easy go over its last seven (road trips to Purdue and MSU are the toughest remaining contests). Illinois is surging and has arguably the easiest road left. Iowa is also getting hot at the right time but still has to go to Wisconsin and Michigan State in addition to hosting Illinois and Purdue. Michigan is in danger of falling into the cellar with half of its remaining games against Ohio State and Michigan State, a trip to Illinois and a home game with Indiana. Purdue could make some hay but the schedule doesn’t get any easier for them at all.
The cellar dwellers… Minnesota is fighting hard despite being outmanned and may pull off a key upset down the stretch. Northwestern is always known to stymie a key player in the race late in the season and is battling to stay above .500 to get to the NIT. Penn State has a starting five that many coaches in the Big Ten would love to have but doesn’t know how to win. Still, they are also good for an upset yet and have postseason play in sight.
Team of the week…
Ohio State. The Buckeyes went on the road to beat up on Purdue and grind out a second win over Michigan State in seven days. The scarlet and gray have pushed Wisconsin to the middle of the front seat and control their Big Ten title destiny.
On the rise…
Iowa. Down 14 on the road to Michigan, Iowa was looking like an NIT – at best – team this season. Then the defense stiffened, Adam Haluska got hot (again) and Iowa churned out a seven point win. The black and gold followed that up with a sweet little home win over Indiana and now sit in fourth place with the NCAA Tournament within reach.
In need of some “Ws”…
Michigan State. The Spartans were oh so close at Ohio State and turned that moral victory into two more tough losses. First there was the ugly grinder at Illinois and then an equally un-pretty fist fight with OSU. Michigan State needs wins to get to a tenth straight Big Dance, and they won’t come easy…
Player of the Week…
It’s a no-brainer this week. Adam Haluska was as hot from the floor as his fiancé (gives all average looking guys in the world a glimmer of hope!). For the week he averaged 25 points and 7.5 boards, including a 33-point effort in the win over Indiana.
This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 6 – Michigan at Ohio State
Feb. 7 – Illinois at Northwestern
Feb. 7 – Michigan State at Purdue
Feb. 7 – Iowa at Minnesota
Feb. 7 – Wisconsin at Penn State
Feb. 10 – Purdue at Ohio State
Feb. 10 – Illinois at Indiana (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 10 – Iowa at Wisconsin
Feb. 10 – Penn State at Northwestern
Feb. 10 – Minnesota at Michigan
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
No one over 6-4 for the week. We all were taken out by reliance on the home teams. Buckeye Nation did get the tiebreaker, however, as the only one to pick the Buckeyes over Michigan State in the rematch.
T1 - Gamm: 47-15 (.758) – 2 GG Wins
T1 - Buckeye Nation: 47-15 (.758) – 2 GG Wins
3 - Dan Meyer: 45-17 (.726) - 1 GG Win
4 - phatsdawg: 41-21 (.661)
5 – PUFan*: 40-12 (.769) – 1 GG Win
*PUFan DNP in week five and moves to the bottom slot.
For the first time this season, playing at home didn’t mean semi-automatic victories. Sure, the usual suspects are caught up in the 5-5 home record for the week (i.e. Penn State and Northwestern losing at home) but Purdue and Michigan State also lost at home and had been previously unscathed, and Michigan blew a 14-point lead in a home loss to Iowa. That leaves home teams 33-15 (.688) heading into the stretch run and oh by the way, the league is breaking into three distinct parts – contenders, position seekers and cellar dwellers.
The contenders… as has been the thought all along, the Big Ten race will come down to Ohio State and Wisconsin. Each sits at 8-1 but you have to say that Ohio State is firmly planted in the driver’s seat. Why? Simple – the remaining schedule. Wisconsin has Michigan State twice and a trip to Columbus in its last seven and also have the surging Hawkeyes at home. Ohio State entertains the meat of its left-over games at home and gets Penn State twice.
The position seekers… Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and Purdue are all duking it out to avoid the dreaded first day match-up in the Big Ten tourney. Indiana is pretty comfy at 6-3 and has a relatively easy go over its last seven (road trips to Purdue and MSU are the toughest remaining contests). Illinois is surging and has arguably the easiest road left. Iowa is also getting hot at the right time but still has to go to Wisconsin and Michigan State in addition to hosting Illinois and Purdue. Michigan is in danger of falling into the cellar with half of its remaining games against Ohio State and Michigan State, a trip to Illinois and a home game with Indiana. Purdue could make some hay but the schedule doesn’t get any easier for them at all.
The cellar dwellers… Minnesota is fighting hard despite being outmanned and may pull off a key upset down the stretch. Northwestern is always known to stymie a key player in the race late in the season and is battling to stay above .500 to get to the NIT. Penn State has a starting five that many coaches in the Big Ten would love to have but doesn’t know how to win. Still, they are also good for an upset yet and have postseason play in sight.
Team of the week…
Ohio State. The Buckeyes went on the road to beat up on Purdue and grind out a second win over Michigan State in seven days. The scarlet and gray have pushed Wisconsin to the middle of the front seat and control their Big Ten title destiny.
On the rise…
Iowa. Down 14 on the road to Michigan, Iowa was looking like an NIT – at best – team this season. Then the defense stiffened, Adam Haluska got hot (again) and Iowa churned out a seven point win. The black and gold followed that up with a sweet little home win over Indiana and now sit in fourth place with the NCAA Tournament within reach.
In need of some “Ws”…
Michigan State. The Spartans were oh so close at Ohio State and turned that moral victory into two more tough losses. First there was the ugly grinder at Illinois and then an equally un-pretty fist fight with OSU. Michigan State needs wins to get to a tenth straight Big Dance, and they won’t come easy…
Player of the Week…
It’s a no-brainer this week. Adam Haluska was as hot from the floor as his fiancé (gives all average looking guys in the world a glimmer of hope!). For the week he averaged 25 points and 7.5 boards, including a 33-point effort in the win over Indiana.
This Week’s Schedule:
Feb. 6 – Michigan at Ohio State
Feb. 7 – Illinois at Northwestern
Feb. 7 – Michigan State at Purdue
Feb. 7 – Iowa at Minnesota
Feb. 7 – Wisconsin at Penn State
Feb. 10 – Purdue at Ohio State
Feb. 10 – Illinois at Indiana (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 10 – Iowa at Wisconsin
Feb. 10 – Penn State at Northwestern
Feb. 10 – Minnesota at Michigan
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
No one over 6-4 for the week. We all were taken out by reliance on the home teams. Buckeye Nation did get the tiebreaker, however, as the only one to pick the Buckeyes over Michigan State in the rematch.
T1 - Gamm: 47-15 (.758) – 2 GG Wins
T1 - Buckeye Nation: 47-15 (.758) – 2 GG Wins
3 - Dan Meyer: 45-17 (.726) - 1 GG Win
4 - phatsdawg: 41-21 (.661)
5 – PUFan*: 40-12 (.769) – 1 GG Win
*PUFan DNP in week five and moves to the bottom slot.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Get Gamm – Week Five…
Game time. Home teams are 28-10 (.737) but there are a few tough home contests on the slate this week, starting with Michigan State’s visit to Illinois. Ohio State goes on the road twice this week and has a better than average shot at emerging unscathed. Perhaps the biggest road battle takes place Wednesday when white hot Wisconsin invades Bloomington looking to keep an NCAA best 17-game win streak going…
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 30 – Michigan State at Illinois
Jan. 31 – Ohio State at Purdue
Jan. 31 – Wisconsin at Indiana
Jan. 31 – Minnesota at Northwestern
Jan. 31 – Iowa at Michigan
Feb. 3 – Purdue at Penn State
Feb. 3 – Indiana at Iowa
Feb. 3 – Northwestern at Wisconsin
Feb. 3 – Ohio State at Michigan State (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 3 – Minnesota at Illinois
For players and coaches, there are no such things as moral victories. But from this angle, Michigan State had one at Ohio State. Wins and losses are all that ultimately matter of course, but there is something to be said for the confidence a team can gain in a “moral victory.” The Spartans are finally starting to get healthy while Illinois continues to be bitten by the injury bug. State has lost the last three in Champaign by an average of 21 and may not have enough gas in the tank to get a huge road win. This will make for classic TV, but Illinois finds its range from three and nips MSU late. Illinois 68 – Michigan State 66.
Another very intriguing game on tap this week is set to tip Wednesday night in West Lafayette. Ohio State escaped with a win over Michigan State on Saturday and goes to face a suddenly resurgent Purdue squad. The key for the Boilermakers is playing on Keady Court because frankly, the gold and black are horrid on the road (and have been for a few years). Painter’s squad spanked the Illini on Saturday and will hope to ride that momentum to a big win over OSU. I’m not sure Purdue has enough horses inside to keep Greg Oden at bay, but I’m going with the upset anyway. Purdue 70 – Ohio State 67.
Much like Purdue, Indiana is a totally different team at home than on the road. IU isn’t as bad as their rival away from Assembly Hall but I digress. This is arguably the Hoosiers’ biggest game of the season. A shot at the Badgers at home. The cream and crimson are mighty efficient offensively in games played in Bloomington and folks, no one goes unbeaten in the Big Ten. Indiana pulls off an upset along the lines of the last second win over then number one Michigan State back in 2001. Indiana 71 – Wisconsin 69.
Uh, um, okay, well… there isn’t much to say about a rematch of cellar dwelling Northwestern and Minnesota. So, that’s all I have to say about that (Forrest Gump Reference). Northwestern 56 – Minnesota 52.
Looking for a big time early-ish season Bubble game? Look no further than Iowa’s visit to Michigan. Iowa is no where near the bubble and really needs to win the Big Ten Tournament to go dancing. However, Michigan is firmly in the vicinity of the bubble and absolutely must get back on track after an abysmal week on the road. A win here keeps Michigan’s head afloat and gives them another “decent” feather in their NCAA Hopes cap. A loss here and you can ready the “Fire Tommy” ammo. But alas, a temporary reprieve … Michigan 67 – Iowa 62.
When Purdue travels to State College to take on the desperate Nittany Lions on Saturday, there is an awful lot on the line. If Purdue can manage to prove me right and beat OSU, this would be a good opportunity to win a road game and get in the vicinity of the proverbial bubble. The Boilers handled Penn State for about 30 minutes in their first meeting, before a late flurry almost carried the Nits to a road win. Penn State is the enigma of the Big Ten. Plenty of talent, a good venue, above average coach and more but no ability to get over the hump. Purdue has lost something like 28 straight on the road. Will that end? Toss a coin … Purdue 74 – Penn State 70.
In January, Indiana held on to beat a game Iowa squad after handling them for the better part of 35 minutes. However, this one is at Carver Hawkeye and the black and gold are playing for their NIT lives. Iowa has been close on a lot of occasions and exacts some revenge in this one. Iowa 65 – Indiana 60.
Northwestern always gives Wisconsin a battle… in Evanston. The Badgers will be ready to jump start a new win streak after falling to Indiana. Wisconsin 70 – Northwestern 55.
Anyone who saw the fantastic game between Michigan State and Ohio State last Saturday night will be tuning in for this rematch. MSU might have done the best job to date in keeping Connoly and Oden at bay – as best as possible anyway. The key will be the start. If the Spartans can put together good shooting for the entire game to go with the suffocating defense and strong glass work, revenge will be had. It’ll be another instant classic. Michigan State 68 – Ohio State 65.
Minnesota is just plain out-numbered by most around the league. There is some skill there but even a beat up Illinois team should be able to handle the Golden Gophers. Illinois 71 – Minnesota 56.
NCAA Tournament Talk...
With all of the bracket banter starting to heat up, here is my current take on in/bubble/out for the Big Ten.
IN: Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana and Michigan State
BUBBLE: Michigan and Illinois
OUT: Purdue and Iowa
Game time. Home teams are 28-10 (.737) but there are a few tough home contests on the slate this week, starting with Michigan State’s visit to Illinois. Ohio State goes on the road twice this week and has a better than average shot at emerging unscathed. Perhaps the biggest road battle takes place Wednesday when white hot Wisconsin invades Bloomington looking to keep an NCAA best 17-game win streak going…
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 30 – Michigan State at Illinois
Jan. 31 – Ohio State at Purdue
Jan. 31 – Wisconsin at Indiana
Jan. 31 – Minnesota at Northwestern
Jan. 31 – Iowa at Michigan
Feb. 3 – Purdue at Penn State
Feb. 3 – Indiana at Iowa
Feb. 3 – Northwestern at Wisconsin
Feb. 3 – Ohio State at Michigan State (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 3 – Minnesota at Illinois
For players and coaches, there are no such things as moral victories. But from this angle, Michigan State had one at Ohio State. Wins and losses are all that ultimately matter of course, but there is something to be said for the confidence a team can gain in a “moral victory.” The Spartans are finally starting to get healthy while Illinois continues to be bitten by the injury bug. State has lost the last three in Champaign by an average of 21 and may not have enough gas in the tank to get a huge road win. This will make for classic TV, but Illinois finds its range from three and nips MSU late. Illinois 68 – Michigan State 66.
Another very intriguing game on tap this week is set to tip Wednesday night in West Lafayette. Ohio State escaped with a win over Michigan State on Saturday and goes to face a suddenly resurgent Purdue squad. The key for the Boilermakers is playing on Keady Court because frankly, the gold and black are horrid on the road (and have been for a few years). Painter’s squad spanked the Illini on Saturday and will hope to ride that momentum to a big win over OSU. I’m not sure Purdue has enough horses inside to keep Greg Oden at bay, but I’m going with the upset anyway. Purdue 70 – Ohio State 67.
Much like Purdue, Indiana is a totally different team at home than on the road. IU isn’t as bad as their rival away from Assembly Hall but I digress. This is arguably the Hoosiers’ biggest game of the season. A shot at the Badgers at home. The cream and crimson are mighty efficient offensively in games played in Bloomington and folks, no one goes unbeaten in the Big Ten. Indiana pulls off an upset along the lines of the last second win over then number one Michigan State back in 2001. Indiana 71 – Wisconsin 69.
Uh, um, okay, well… there isn’t much to say about a rematch of cellar dwelling Northwestern and Minnesota. So, that’s all I have to say about that (Forrest Gump Reference). Northwestern 56 – Minnesota 52.
Looking for a big time early-ish season Bubble game? Look no further than Iowa’s visit to Michigan. Iowa is no where near the bubble and really needs to win the Big Ten Tournament to go dancing. However, Michigan is firmly in the vicinity of the bubble and absolutely must get back on track after an abysmal week on the road. A win here keeps Michigan’s head afloat and gives them another “decent” feather in their NCAA Hopes cap. A loss here and you can ready the “Fire Tommy” ammo. But alas, a temporary reprieve … Michigan 67 – Iowa 62.
When Purdue travels to State College to take on the desperate Nittany Lions on Saturday, there is an awful lot on the line. If Purdue can manage to prove me right and beat OSU, this would be a good opportunity to win a road game and get in the vicinity of the proverbial bubble. The Boilers handled Penn State for about 30 minutes in their first meeting, before a late flurry almost carried the Nits to a road win. Penn State is the enigma of the Big Ten. Plenty of talent, a good venue, above average coach and more but no ability to get over the hump. Purdue has lost something like 28 straight on the road. Will that end? Toss a coin … Purdue 74 – Penn State 70.
In January, Indiana held on to beat a game Iowa squad after handling them for the better part of 35 minutes. However, this one is at Carver Hawkeye and the black and gold are playing for their NIT lives. Iowa has been close on a lot of occasions and exacts some revenge in this one. Iowa 65 – Indiana 60.
Northwestern always gives Wisconsin a battle… in Evanston. The Badgers will be ready to jump start a new win streak after falling to Indiana. Wisconsin 70 – Northwestern 55.
Anyone who saw the fantastic game between Michigan State and Ohio State last Saturday night will be tuning in for this rematch. MSU might have done the best job to date in keeping Connoly and Oden at bay – as best as possible anyway. The key will be the start. If the Spartans can put together good shooting for the entire game to go with the suffocating defense and strong glass work, revenge will be had. It’ll be another instant classic. Michigan State 68 – Ohio State 65.
Minnesota is just plain out-numbered by most around the league. There is some skill there but even a beat up Illinois team should be able to handle the Golden Gophers. Illinois 71 – Minnesota 56.
NCAA Tournament Talk...
With all of the bracket banter starting to heat up, here is my current take on in/bubble/out for the Big Ten.
IN: Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana and Michigan State
BUBBLE: Michigan and Illinois
OUT: Purdue and Iowa
Monday, January 29, 2007
Grind time…
It’s that time of year in college basketball, particularly in a conference like the Big Ten. I like to call it grind time. To use a golf analogy, it’s like playing in tournaments six straight weeks. Sometimes in that stretch, you’ll have you “A” game. At other times, you’ll need to work and “grind” to stay afloat. That’s where we are with conference play in the Big Ten.
True, Wisconsin and Ohio State are starting to pull away a bit, as expected, but don’t discount Indiana or even Michigan State from having a major say in where this race goes. The Hoosiers get the Badgers this week; Michigan State gets Wisconsin twice and another shot at the Buckeyes. When push comes to shove, the Badgers will come out on top followed by Ohio State but how they fare in the grind will determine the next two or three teams, and who goes dancing versus who stays home.
Speaking of dancing, it gets earlier every year, but ESPN.com’s Joe Lunardi is producing a weekly bracket now. His latest has four Big Ten teams in. Wisconsin and Ohio State are locks, playing for the conference title and a possible number one seed. Indiana and Michigan State are firmly in right now, barring any catastrophes. The teams that can play their way off the bubble are Illinois, Purdue and Michigan. Most likely to do so is Illinois. Purdue may, but hasn’t won on the road in an age and needs to do that to get serious consideration. And Michigan is as up and down in conference play as a Cedar Point thrill ride.
Check out where Joe has the Big Ten pegged: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology
It should be another interesting week in league play. Home teams are now 28-10 (.737) after an 8-2 week. Michigan State gets another shot at the scarlet and gray, but not before another brutal road trip – this time to Champaign. Wisconsin has a big test in Bloomington. Michigan finally gets to go home to the friendly confines of Crisler Arena…
Team of the week…
As I’ve been saying for the last few weeks, it’s tough to pick against Wisconsin until they lose. But I have to give some well deserved credit to Purdue this go around. The Boilers had a week to stew over a big loss at Michigan and used it to dismantle the Illini. Purdue put such a first half blitz on Illinois that the Fighting Illini had no chance to come back.
On the rise…
Indiana and Michigan State are still right in that second tier of teams. Both went 1-1 last week with tough road losses, but in particular, MSU showed me something with the near miraculous come back over Ohio State in Columbus.
In need of some “Ws”…
Penn State. This team has the offense, the horses and even the coach to be closer to a .500 team in the Big Ten. Why it can’t play defense worth a you-know-what is the question. The Nits are 1-6 in conference play and 10-10 overall and are in jeopardy of missing the postseason all together.
Player of the Week…
BigTen.org gave its honors to Greg Oden and Alando Tucker for the week, something that I have a hard time arguing against. However, I wonder, Spartan bias aside, why Drew Neitzel doesn’t also get thrown in the mix? He only single-handedly brought Michigan State back from a 20-point halftime deficit with an amazing 29-point (24 in the second half) effort at Ohio State. So, I’m calling it a three-way honor this time around.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 30 – Michigan State at Illinois
Jan. 31 – Ohio State at Purdue
Jan. 31 – Wisconsin at Indiana
Jan. 31 – Minnesota at Northwestern
Jan. 31 – Iowa at Michigan
Feb. 3 – Purdue at Penn State
Feb. 3 – Indiana at Iowa
Feb. 3 – Northwestern at Wisconsin
Feb. 3 – Ohio State at Michigan State (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 3 – Minnesota at Illinois
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
PUFan edged out Buckeye Nation and Dan Meyer on the tiebreaker this week for top honors in the contest. PUFan, get me your thoughts by Tuesday at noon for inclusion on the home page.
T1 - Gamm: 41-11 (.788) – 2 GG Wins
T1 - Buckeye Nation: 41-11 (.788) – 1 GG Win
3 - PUFan: 40-12 (.769) – 1 GG Win
4 - Dan Meyer: 39-13 (.750) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 37-15 (.712)
It’s that time of year in college basketball, particularly in a conference like the Big Ten. I like to call it grind time. To use a golf analogy, it’s like playing in tournaments six straight weeks. Sometimes in that stretch, you’ll have you “A” game. At other times, you’ll need to work and “grind” to stay afloat. That’s where we are with conference play in the Big Ten.
True, Wisconsin and Ohio State are starting to pull away a bit, as expected, but don’t discount Indiana or even Michigan State from having a major say in where this race goes. The Hoosiers get the Badgers this week; Michigan State gets Wisconsin twice and another shot at the Buckeyes. When push comes to shove, the Badgers will come out on top followed by Ohio State but how they fare in the grind will determine the next two or three teams, and who goes dancing versus who stays home.
Speaking of dancing, it gets earlier every year, but ESPN.com’s Joe Lunardi is producing a weekly bracket now. His latest has four Big Ten teams in. Wisconsin and Ohio State are locks, playing for the conference title and a possible number one seed. Indiana and Michigan State are firmly in right now, barring any catastrophes. The teams that can play their way off the bubble are Illinois, Purdue and Michigan. Most likely to do so is Illinois. Purdue may, but hasn’t won on the road in an age and needs to do that to get serious consideration. And Michigan is as up and down in conference play as a Cedar Point thrill ride.
Check out where Joe has the Big Ten pegged: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology
It should be another interesting week in league play. Home teams are now 28-10 (.737) after an 8-2 week. Michigan State gets another shot at the scarlet and gray, but not before another brutal road trip – this time to Champaign. Wisconsin has a big test in Bloomington. Michigan finally gets to go home to the friendly confines of Crisler Arena…
Team of the week…
As I’ve been saying for the last few weeks, it’s tough to pick against Wisconsin until they lose. But I have to give some well deserved credit to Purdue this go around. The Boilers had a week to stew over a big loss at Michigan and used it to dismantle the Illini. Purdue put such a first half blitz on Illinois that the Fighting Illini had no chance to come back.
On the rise…
Indiana and Michigan State are still right in that second tier of teams. Both went 1-1 last week with tough road losses, but in particular, MSU showed me something with the near miraculous come back over Ohio State in Columbus.
In need of some “Ws”…
Penn State. This team has the offense, the horses and even the coach to be closer to a .500 team in the Big Ten. Why it can’t play defense worth a you-know-what is the question. The Nits are 1-6 in conference play and 10-10 overall and are in jeopardy of missing the postseason all together.
Player of the Week…
BigTen.org gave its honors to Greg Oden and Alando Tucker for the week, something that I have a hard time arguing against. However, I wonder, Spartan bias aside, why Drew Neitzel doesn’t also get thrown in the mix? He only single-handedly brought Michigan State back from a 20-point halftime deficit with an amazing 29-point (24 in the second half) effort at Ohio State. So, I’m calling it a three-way honor this time around.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 30 – Michigan State at Illinois
Jan. 31 – Ohio State at Purdue
Jan. 31 – Wisconsin at Indiana
Jan. 31 – Minnesota at Northwestern
Jan. 31 – Iowa at Michigan
Feb. 3 – Purdue at Penn State
Feb. 3 – Indiana at Iowa
Feb. 3 – Northwestern at Wisconsin
Feb. 3 – Ohio State at Michigan State (Tiebreaker)
Feb. 3 – Minnesota at Illinois
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
PUFan edged out Buckeye Nation and Dan Meyer on the tiebreaker this week for top honors in the contest. PUFan, get me your thoughts by Tuesday at noon for inclusion on the home page.
T1 - Gamm: 41-11 (.788) – 2 GG Wins
T1 - Buckeye Nation: 41-11 (.788) – 1 GG Win
3 - PUFan: 40-12 (.769) – 1 GG Win
4 - Dan Meyer: 39-13 (.750) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 37-15 (.712)
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Get Gamm - Week Four…
Home teams sputtered a bit last week (5-4) and are now 20-8 (.714) this Big Ten season. That cost a few in the Get Gamm standings, but alas, a new week is upon us. There are some solid games that will mean a lot in the standings and as we look towards March Madness, which is creeping up faster than we think.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 23 – Indiana at Illinois
Jan. 24 – Minnesota at Michigan State
Jan. 24 – Michigan at Wisconsin
Jan. 24 – Ohio State at Northwestern
Jan. 24 – Penn State at Iowa
Jan. 27 – Michigan at Indiana
Jan. 27 – Penn State at Minnesota
Jan. 27 – Illinois at Purdue (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 27 – Michigan State at Ohio State
Jan. 28 – Wisconsin at Iowa
A big game to start off the week in the Big Ten. A red hot Indiana squad travels to Champaign to take on a desperate Illinois team. The Fighting Illini lost a tough one to Wisconsin over the weekend, their third loss at home this season. To put it in perspective, they hadn’t lost more than one at home this century! Indiana is right in the thick of the conference race and getting better with each game. Illinois needs a win in a big game to get back on track as far as the NCAA Tournament is concerned. I don’t see the Illini losing another one at home. Illinois 74 – Indiana 71.
Ask Tom Izzo and he’ll tell you after this one, Michigan State plays as tough a slate as anyone in the nation. Minnesota is the resident doormat in the league this year and while State cannot look past the Gophers, this is the last easy game on the schedule. In an eight day span following this game, the Spartans play Ohio State and Illinois on the road and the Buckeyes back at home. Get while the gettin’s good… Michigan State 75 – Minnesota 59.
A HUGE game for Michigan and an opportunity to make a statement to the league is at hand when the Wolverines head to Madison to take on the white hot Badgers. Wisconsin won’t waltz through the league unbeaten, but losing in the Kohl Center is a rarity. Try this one on for size – the only team in the Big Ten to beat Bo Ryan and his squad at home is Illinois – twice. The streak lives. Wisconsin 71 – Michigan 62.
Northwestern gets a return trip a week after the beating it took in Columbus. This is the sort of place that can trip up a young team like Ohio State. Then again, after watching the systematic dismantling of the Wildcats at Value City Arena, there is little chance the home court edge means a thing in this game. Ohio State 75 – Northwestern 57.
Penn State and Iowa are two teams in need of victories. Iowa has dropped three of the last four and Penn State is coming off a home whipping by Michigan State. Both teams are likely battling to stay above .500 overall for the season and come March, these are the games that determine if you make the NIT or stay home. I like the home court edge at Carver Hawkeye. Iowa 69 – Penn State 65.
As if the trip to Mad-town wasn’t enough, the maize and blue follow it up with a trek to Bloomington. Indiana will be stinging after a tough loss at Illinois and will take it out on a Michigan team that the Hoosiers have owned at Assembly Hall of late. Indiana 78 – Michigan 65.
Penn State stays on the road with a trip to Williams Arena to take on Minnesota. The Gophers hammered Purdue at home but got spanked by Northwestern on the same floor. Penn State has a solid starting five and will get some wins this year. For the second time this week, the home advantage doesn’t hold up. Penn State 67 – Minnesota 60.
A big rivalry game is on tap when the Illini take to the road to face the Boilermakers. Purdue has been disappointing to me so far in conference play. Then again, Illinois is right there too. This game has enormous long term implications. Home teams cannot afford to lose these games and make the Big Dance. Road teams that can steal big wins in tough arenas peak the interest of the selection committee. In an overtime thriller, Purdue uses a week of rest to its advantage and takes out Illinois. Purdue 79 – Illinois 77 (OT).
Michigan State and Ohio State has been a good battle over the past several years and this one is shaping up to be more of the same. The Buckeyes are young but extremely talented. Michigan State might have the best shot at slowing Greg Oden of any team, if only because the Spartans have four big bodies to rotate on the super frosh. This is the type of game where the backcourt can wear out for the Spartans. Walton and Neitzel give it all they have but the OSU depth there is the difference. Ohio State 68 – Michigan State 63.
Don’t laugh but this might be the best shot at a season making win Iowa has. Wisconsin comes to town riding high and looking to extend a school record win streak. Like I’ve said, the Badgers might be the class of the league, but they will not go 16-0. This is as likely a spot to lose as any. Iowa pulls off the shocking upset and the fans clamoring for an Alford exit quiet down for at least a day. Iowa 66 – Wisconsin 65.
Home teams sputtered a bit last week (5-4) and are now 20-8 (.714) this Big Ten season. That cost a few in the Get Gamm standings, but alas, a new week is upon us. There are some solid games that will mean a lot in the standings and as we look towards March Madness, which is creeping up faster than we think.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 23 – Indiana at Illinois
Jan. 24 – Minnesota at Michigan State
Jan. 24 – Michigan at Wisconsin
Jan. 24 – Ohio State at Northwestern
Jan. 24 – Penn State at Iowa
Jan. 27 – Michigan at Indiana
Jan. 27 – Penn State at Minnesota
Jan. 27 – Illinois at Purdue (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 27 – Michigan State at Ohio State
Jan. 28 – Wisconsin at Iowa
A big game to start off the week in the Big Ten. A red hot Indiana squad travels to Champaign to take on a desperate Illinois team. The Fighting Illini lost a tough one to Wisconsin over the weekend, their third loss at home this season. To put it in perspective, they hadn’t lost more than one at home this century! Indiana is right in the thick of the conference race and getting better with each game. Illinois needs a win in a big game to get back on track as far as the NCAA Tournament is concerned. I don’t see the Illini losing another one at home. Illinois 74 – Indiana 71.
Ask Tom Izzo and he’ll tell you after this one, Michigan State plays as tough a slate as anyone in the nation. Minnesota is the resident doormat in the league this year and while State cannot look past the Gophers, this is the last easy game on the schedule. In an eight day span following this game, the Spartans play Ohio State and Illinois on the road and the Buckeyes back at home. Get while the gettin’s good… Michigan State 75 – Minnesota 59.
A HUGE game for Michigan and an opportunity to make a statement to the league is at hand when the Wolverines head to Madison to take on the white hot Badgers. Wisconsin won’t waltz through the league unbeaten, but losing in the Kohl Center is a rarity. Try this one on for size – the only team in the Big Ten to beat Bo Ryan and his squad at home is Illinois – twice. The streak lives. Wisconsin 71 – Michigan 62.
Northwestern gets a return trip a week after the beating it took in Columbus. This is the sort of place that can trip up a young team like Ohio State. Then again, after watching the systematic dismantling of the Wildcats at Value City Arena, there is little chance the home court edge means a thing in this game. Ohio State 75 – Northwestern 57.
Penn State and Iowa are two teams in need of victories. Iowa has dropped three of the last four and Penn State is coming off a home whipping by Michigan State. Both teams are likely battling to stay above .500 overall for the season and come March, these are the games that determine if you make the NIT or stay home. I like the home court edge at Carver Hawkeye. Iowa 69 – Penn State 65.
As if the trip to Mad-town wasn’t enough, the maize and blue follow it up with a trek to Bloomington. Indiana will be stinging after a tough loss at Illinois and will take it out on a Michigan team that the Hoosiers have owned at Assembly Hall of late. Indiana 78 – Michigan 65.
Penn State stays on the road with a trip to Williams Arena to take on Minnesota. The Gophers hammered Purdue at home but got spanked by Northwestern on the same floor. Penn State has a solid starting five and will get some wins this year. For the second time this week, the home advantage doesn’t hold up. Penn State 67 – Minnesota 60.
A big rivalry game is on tap when the Illini take to the road to face the Boilermakers. Purdue has been disappointing to me so far in conference play. Then again, Illinois is right there too. This game has enormous long term implications. Home teams cannot afford to lose these games and make the Big Dance. Road teams that can steal big wins in tough arenas peak the interest of the selection committee. In an overtime thriller, Purdue uses a week of rest to its advantage and takes out Illinois. Purdue 79 – Illinois 77 (OT).
Michigan State and Ohio State has been a good battle over the past several years and this one is shaping up to be more of the same. The Buckeyes are young but extremely talented. Michigan State might have the best shot at slowing Greg Oden of any team, if only because the Spartans have four big bodies to rotate on the super frosh. This is the type of game where the backcourt can wear out for the Spartans. Walton and Neitzel give it all they have but the OSU depth there is the difference. Ohio State 68 – Michigan State 63.
Don’t laugh but this might be the best shot at a season making win Iowa has. Wisconsin comes to town riding high and looking to extend a school record win streak. Like I’ve said, the Badgers might be the class of the league, but they will not go 16-0. This is as likely a spot to lose as any. Iowa pulls off the shocking upset and the fans clamoring for an Alford exit quiet down for at least a day. Iowa 66 – Wisconsin 65.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Cream rising to the top…
The cream is rising to the top in the Big Ten. Wisconsin and Ohio State are the class of the league, with Indiana nipping at their heals. Michigan has a chance to prove whether or not it belongs with a huge week that entails road trips to Madison and Bloomington. Michigan State is on a little roll but after a midweek visit from Minnesota, the Spartans play Ohio State twice in a week with Illinois sandwiched in between. Home teams sputtered a bit more last week (5-4) and are now 20-8 (.714) this Big Ten season.
On another level, the cream rose to the top in the NFL over the weekend when the Bears rolled the Saints and the Colts finally shook the gorilla that was the Patriots from their backs. Should make for a fun to watch Super Bowl with many story lines. I was growing up in Indiana, a Bears fan, when the Colts moved in on the sly from Baltimore. This was my pick for the Super Bowl when the playoffs started. Indy 27 – Chicago 24 – Vinateri does it again!
Team of the week…
Wisconsin just keeps taking the best shots of its opponents and just keeps on winning. Last week it was a hard fought win at home over a game Purdue squad, followed by a battle in Champaign. Tough to pick against UW until they cool off, and I just don’t see that happening anytime soon.
On the rise…
Michigan and Michigan State. The Wolverines are a solid 4-1 right now, but have had the benefit of three of the first five at home. Michigan State has won three straight after a tough start (0-2).
In need of some “Ws”…
Minnesota. The Golden Gophers got taken to the woodshed – twice – at home last week, including a loss to previously winless in the Big Ten Northwestern.
Player of the Week…
It’s always tough to argue against the pick from BigTen.org (this week it was D.J. White) but I’m going to go with the 28-point, 5 assist, 1 turnover performance of Drew Neitzel in what was a near perfect road win for the Spartans (Marquise Gray and Goran Suton also combined to shoot 13 of 14).
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 23 – Indiana at Illinois
Jan. 24 – Minnesota at Michigan State
Jan. 24 – Michigan at Wisconsin
Jan. 24 – Ohio State at Northwestern
Jan. 24 – Penn State at Iowa
Jan. 27 – Michigan at Indiana
Jan. 27 – Penn State at Minnesota
Jan. 27 – Illinois at Purdue (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 27 – Michigan State at Ohio State
Jan. 28 – Wisconsin at Iowa
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
Yours truly got nine wins for the week, three others had eight and our leader, Buckeye Nation, invested heavily in the home teams and got burned.
1 - Gamm: 33-9 (.786) – 2 GG Wins
2 - Buckeye Nation: 32-10 (.762) – 1 GG Win
3 - PUFan: 31-11 (.738)
4 - Dan Meyer: 30-12 (.714) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 29-13 (.690)
The cream is rising to the top in the Big Ten. Wisconsin and Ohio State are the class of the league, with Indiana nipping at their heals. Michigan has a chance to prove whether or not it belongs with a huge week that entails road trips to Madison and Bloomington. Michigan State is on a little roll but after a midweek visit from Minnesota, the Spartans play Ohio State twice in a week with Illinois sandwiched in between. Home teams sputtered a bit more last week (5-4) and are now 20-8 (.714) this Big Ten season.
On another level, the cream rose to the top in the NFL over the weekend when the Bears rolled the Saints and the Colts finally shook the gorilla that was the Patriots from their backs. Should make for a fun to watch Super Bowl with many story lines. I was growing up in Indiana, a Bears fan, when the Colts moved in on the sly from Baltimore. This was my pick for the Super Bowl when the playoffs started. Indy 27 – Chicago 24 – Vinateri does it again!
Team of the week…
Wisconsin just keeps taking the best shots of its opponents and just keeps on winning. Last week it was a hard fought win at home over a game Purdue squad, followed by a battle in Champaign. Tough to pick against UW until they cool off, and I just don’t see that happening anytime soon.
On the rise…
Michigan and Michigan State. The Wolverines are a solid 4-1 right now, but have had the benefit of three of the first five at home. Michigan State has won three straight after a tough start (0-2).
In need of some “Ws”…
Minnesota. The Golden Gophers got taken to the woodshed – twice – at home last week, including a loss to previously winless in the Big Ten Northwestern.
Player of the Week…
It’s always tough to argue against the pick from BigTen.org (this week it was D.J. White) but I’m going to go with the 28-point, 5 assist, 1 turnover performance of Drew Neitzel in what was a near perfect road win for the Spartans (Marquise Gray and Goran Suton also combined to shoot 13 of 14).
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 23 – Indiana at Illinois
Jan. 24 – Minnesota at Michigan State
Jan. 24 – Michigan at Wisconsin
Jan. 24 – Ohio State at Northwestern
Jan. 24 – Penn State at Iowa
Jan. 27 – Michigan at Indiana
Jan. 27 – Penn State at Minnesota
Jan. 27 – Illinois at Purdue (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 27 – Michigan State at Ohio State
Jan. 28 – Wisconsin at Iowa
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
Yours truly got nine wins for the week, three others had eight and our leader, Buckeye Nation, invested heavily in the home teams and got burned.
1 - Gamm: 33-9 (.786) – 2 GG Wins
2 - Buckeye Nation: 32-10 (.762) – 1 GG Win
3 - PUFan: 31-11 (.738)
4 - Dan Meyer: 30-12 (.714) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 29-13 (.690)
Get Gamm – Week Three…
Apparently something happened when I thought I posted this last week! My bad. Recap is coming later, along with this week's picks.
Another big week (when aren’t they huge) in Big Ten basketball. Key contests pit Indiana and Iowa –- each with one loss –- head to head; Purdue at Wisconsin and then Michigan in an effort to stay in the race for third (isn’t it a forgone conclusion that Wisconsin and Ohio State will fight it out for the title?); and two big games for a 1-3 Illinois squad in dire need of some love.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 16 – Iowa at Indiana
Jan. 17 – Illinois at Minnesota
Jan. 17 – Purdue at Wisconsin
Jan. 17 – Penn State at Michigan
Jan. 17 – Northwestern at Ohio State
Jan. 20 – Purdue at Michigan
Jan. 20 – Wisconsin at Illinois
Jan. 20 – Northwestern at Minnesota
Jan. 20 – Michigan State at Penn State
Jan. 20 – Indiana at UConn (TIEBREAKER)
Jan. 20 – Iowa at Ohio State
Indiana is riding a nifty little three game win streak after a tough opening road battle at Ohio State. At this point, the Hoosiers are pretty clearly the third best team in the conference. In order to stay there, they need big wins in tough games. Iowa will need a big night from Huluska to win this game. Home teams are 15-4 and will move to 16-4 with an Indiana win in overtime. Indiana 68 – Iowa 67.
Have I mentioned that winning on the road is no picnic in this league? Illinois gets one of those rare shots as a road team when the struggling Illini travel to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers. Minnesota is the only team in the Big Ten with an overall losing record and currently sits at 1-2 in league play. In reality, the Gophers are just what the doctor ordered for Illinois, who blew an 11-point halftime lead at Michigan State on Sunday and have fought the injury bug all season long. Minnesota beat Purdue soundly at home, but my money is on Illinois in this one. Illinois 74 – Minnesota 63.
Purdue is the yo-yo team in the Big Ten, up then down, up then down. The Boilermakers got hammered to start conference play, held on to beat Penn State, got blasted at rival Indiana and then pasted Michigan at home. Next up, a trip to the Kohl Center. Purdue can stay with Wisconsin but needs to be nearly flawless. Thing is, the Badgers are the team that drives others crazy and wills opponents into mistakes. Wisconsin 70 – Purdue 58.
Penn State is probably the best one win team in the conference, with apologies to Illinois. The Nittany Lions almost stole a win at Purdue and fought tough at home against Indiana. Michigan got beaten up at Purdue and might have just enough doubt to allow Penn State to pull off a rare road win. On second thought… Michigan 81 – Penn State 67.
This may sound funny, but the mid-week Game of the Week occurs in Columbus where the 0-4 Wildcats take on the young and hungry Buckeyes. Northwestern may look like your local pick-up team of marketing managers, doctors and lawyers, but they know how to defend, take care of the ball and frustrate the heck out of you with their Princeton offense. This is actually a nice test for a young Ohio State squad. The Buckeyes learn some patience on the fly and survive an upset bid – Ohio State 66 – Northwestern 61.
In one of those typical Big Ten scheduling quirks, Purdue faces the same team it beat up on a week ago Saturday, but this time away from the friendly confines of Keady Court. Michigan will have payback in mind, but Purdue is a lot better than the past few seasons. In what should be a great game, Michigan returns the favor and holds serve at Crisler. Michigan 72 – Purdue 69.
Do you think the Orange Krush will be worked up to a frenzy with Wisconsin coming to town? It is must win time for the Illini and what better a way to get on track than beating the best team in the conference? Wisconsin isn’t going to run the table and Illinois is going to be one of their tougher remaining road battles (aside from trips to OSU and MSU). Illinois is fighting for its life and wins in a thriller. Illinois 67 – Wisconsin 65.
Northwestern travels from Columbus to Minneapolis in search of a Big Ten win. These teams are evenly matched, which means it comes down to the home court edge. The fans might not be rocking the Barn for this one, but something about that place is creepy. Minnesota keeps NU winless. Minnesota 64 – Northwestern 61.
A much needed week to rest and practice as a full unit should pay off for the Spartans this week. Penn State is no picnic with an ever improving line-up of battlers. The one thing the Nits are missing, however, is a true home court edge. There has never been one in the Bryce Jordan and that might be the thing that is keeping Penn State from pulling out of the cellar and becoming at least a middle tier team in the Big Ten. Nothing will come easy for MSU this season, but this will be a big road win when the Spartans look back in March. Michigan State 60 – Penn State 55.
We go outside of the conference for the Game of the Week in the Big Ten. IU pays a visit to the East Coast in what should be a great game to watch. The Huskies are young and rather up and down of late. Indiana is finally starting to play defense the way Coach Sampson likes it to be played. D.J. White has a huge game and the Hoosiers get a very important RPI win. Indiana 73 – Connecticut 68.
The Saturday night game in the Big Ten often goes overlooked for some reason, but this could be another good test for Ohio State and certainly will be for Iowa. As a player or coach and certainly as a fan, I have to say that the night game on Saturday is a tough one to play. You sit around all day watching ball and itching to play. That gives a huge edge to the home team, in this case the Buckeyes. Ohio State pulls even with Wisconsin thanks to the Illini. Ohio State 74 – Iowa 65.
Apparently something happened when I thought I posted this last week! My bad. Recap is coming later, along with this week's picks.
Another big week (when aren’t they huge) in Big Ten basketball. Key contests pit Indiana and Iowa –- each with one loss –- head to head; Purdue at Wisconsin and then Michigan in an effort to stay in the race for third (isn’t it a forgone conclusion that Wisconsin and Ohio State will fight it out for the title?); and two big games for a 1-3 Illinois squad in dire need of some love.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 16 – Iowa at Indiana
Jan. 17 – Illinois at Minnesota
Jan. 17 – Purdue at Wisconsin
Jan. 17 – Penn State at Michigan
Jan. 17 – Northwestern at Ohio State
Jan. 20 – Purdue at Michigan
Jan. 20 – Wisconsin at Illinois
Jan. 20 – Northwestern at Minnesota
Jan. 20 – Michigan State at Penn State
Jan. 20 – Indiana at UConn (TIEBREAKER)
Jan. 20 – Iowa at Ohio State
Indiana is riding a nifty little three game win streak after a tough opening road battle at Ohio State. At this point, the Hoosiers are pretty clearly the third best team in the conference. In order to stay there, they need big wins in tough games. Iowa will need a big night from Huluska to win this game. Home teams are 15-4 and will move to 16-4 with an Indiana win in overtime. Indiana 68 – Iowa 67.
Have I mentioned that winning on the road is no picnic in this league? Illinois gets one of those rare shots as a road team when the struggling Illini travel to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers. Minnesota is the only team in the Big Ten with an overall losing record and currently sits at 1-2 in league play. In reality, the Gophers are just what the doctor ordered for Illinois, who blew an 11-point halftime lead at Michigan State on Sunday and have fought the injury bug all season long. Minnesota beat Purdue soundly at home, but my money is on Illinois in this one. Illinois 74 – Minnesota 63.
Purdue is the yo-yo team in the Big Ten, up then down, up then down. The Boilermakers got hammered to start conference play, held on to beat Penn State, got blasted at rival Indiana and then pasted Michigan at home. Next up, a trip to the Kohl Center. Purdue can stay with Wisconsin but needs to be nearly flawless. Thing is, the Badgers are the team that drives others crazy and wills opponents into mistakes. Wisconsin 70 – Purdue 58.
Penn State is probably the best one win team in the conference, with apologies to Illinois. The Nittany Lions almost stole a win at Purdue and fought tough at home against Indiana. Michigan got beaten up at Purdue and might have just enough doubt to allow Penn State to pull off a rare road win. On second thought… Michigan 81 – Penn State 67.
This may sound funny, but the mid-week Game of the Week occurs in Columbus where the 0-4 Wildcats take on the young and hungry Buckeyes. Northwestern may look like your local pick-up team of marketing managers, doctors and lawyers, but they know how to defend, take care of the ball and frustrate the heck out of you with their Princeton offense. This is actually a nice test for a young Ohio State squad. The Buckeyes learn some patience on the fly and survive an upset bid – Ohio State 66 – Northwestern 61.
In one of those typical Big Ten scheduling quirks, Purdue faces the same team it beat up on a week ago Saturday, but this time away from the friendly confines of Keady Court. Michigan will have payback in mind, but Purdue is a lot better than the past few seasons. In what should be a great game, Michigan returns the favor and holds serve at Crisler. Michigan 72 – Purdue 69.
Do you think the Orange Krush will be worked up to a frenzy with Wisconsin coming to town? It is must win time for the Illini and what better a way to get on track than beating the best team in the conference? Wisconsin isn’t going to run the table and Illinois is going to be one of their tougher remaining road battles (aside from trips to OSU and MSU). Illinois is fighting for its life and wins in a thriller. Illinois 67 – Wisconsin 65.
Northwestern travels from Columbus to Minneapolis in search of a Big Ten win. These teams are evenly matched, which means it comes down to the home court edge. The fans might not be rocking the Barn for this one, but something about that place is creepy. Minnesota keeps NU winless. Minnesota 64 – Northwestern 61.
A much needed week to rest and practice as a full unit should pay off for the Spartans this week. Penn State is no picnic with an ever improving line-up of battlers. The one thing the Nits are missing, however, is a true home court edge. There has never been one in the Bryce Jordan and that might be the thing that is keeping Penn State from pulling out of the cellar and becoming at least a middle tier team in the Big Ten. Nothing will come easy for MSU this season, but this will be a big road win when the Spartans look back in March. Michigan State 60 – Penn State 55.
We go outside of the conference for the Game of the Week in the Big Ten. IU pays a visit to the East Coast in what should be a great game to watch. The Huskies are young and rather up and down of late. Indiana is finally starting to play defense the way Coach Sampson likes it to be played. D.J. White has a huge game and the Hoosiers get a very important RPI win. Indiana 73 – Connecticut 68.
The Saturday night game in the Big Ten often goes overlooked for some reason, but this could be another good test for Ohio State and certainly will be for Iowa. As a player or coach and certainly as a fan, I have to say that the night game on Saturday is a tough one to play. You sit around all day watching ball and itching to play. That gives a huge edge to the home team, in this case the Buckeyes. Ohio State pulls even with Wisconsin thanks to the Illini. Ohio State 74 – Iowa 65.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Looking back, looking forward and final football thoughts…
It was another good week for the home teams in Big Ten basketball. There were nine conference games contested with the home team winning seven of them. That runs the home court edge to 15-4 this season, a win percentage of .789. Toss in a nifty home win for young Ohio State over cross-over foe Tennessee and the home team again won 80-percent of the time last week.
Looking ahead, there are some key match-ups in conference play. Purdue hits the road for Madison hoping to unseat the Badgers from their perch atop the conference standings. Four teams sit one game behind Wisconsin and a few of them battle when Iowa travels to Indiana and then the Hawkeyes trek to Columbus to take on Ohio State. The standings could have some major changes come next week as we are now settling in for the long haul.
Finally, some parting football thoughts. The All-Star tour has ensued, but more notably the time for juniors to declare for the draft is upon us. National runner-up Ohio State lost three major underclassman game breakers in Ginn, Gonzalez and Pittman. Most other teams seem to be holding onto their stars heading into spring football, though Michigan lost defensive stud Alan Branch to the draft. It all should make for a shake-up of sorts at the top. Stay tuned…
Team of the week…
Wisconsin answered the bell by hanging on for a hard fought win over Ohio State on Tuesday and then scratching out a tough on in Evanston on Saturday. The Badgers let some shaky free throw shooting get in the way, but in the end survived the week as the lone unbeaten in the conference.
On the rise…
Indiana. The Hoosiers pounded rival Purdue in the mid-week game and then played well at Penn State to pick up a rare Big Ten road win. IU seems to be getting into synch with what Kelvin Sampson wants out of them and it might well keep the Hoosiers in the thick of the Big Ten race all winter.
In need of some “Ws”…
Northwestern and Illinois. The Illini got off the schnied with a tough win over Iowa but below an 11-point half time lead in East Lansing, leaving the orange and blue a shaky 1-3 heading into week three of league play. Northwestern was no match for Michigan State and then gave up a golden opportunity to score a tremendous upset against Wisconsin. The teams are 1-7 combined and desperately in need of wins.
Player of the Week…
This go around, it’s too tough to argue against BigTen.org’s pick - Kammron Taylor from Wisconsin. Taylor was big for the Badgers in a huge home win over Ohio State and a steadying influence in a nail-biter at Northwestern. He averaged 18.5 points for the week to go along with a bonus 4.5 board per game.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 16 – Iowa at Indiana
Jan. 17 – Illinois at Minnesota
Jan. 17 – Purdue at Wisconsin
Jan. 17 – Penn State at Michigan
Jan. 17 – Northwestern at Ohio State
Jan. 20 – Purdue at Michigan
Jan. 20 – Wisconsin at Illinois
Jan. 20 – Northwestern at Minnesota
Jan. 20 – Michigan State at Penn State
Jan. 20 – Connecticut at Indiana (TIEBREAKER)
Jan. 20 – Iowa at Ohio State
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
All four players went 9-1 last week, but yours truly was closer on the margin in the OSU-Wisconsin contest. Picks for the eleven games this week are due by tip of Indiana – Iowa on Tuesday. My picks will be up sometime on Tuesday.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 26-5 (.839) – 1 GG Win
2 - Gamm: 24-7 (.774) – 1 GG Win
3 - PUFan: 23-8 (.742)
4 - Dan Meyer: 22-9 (.710) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 21-10 (.677)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - BigTenSportsFan: 3-8 (.273)
It was another good week for the home teams in Big Ten basketball. There were nine conference games contested with the home team winning seven of them. That runs the home court edge to 15-4 this season, a win percentage of .789. Toss in a nifty home win for young Ohio State over cross-over foe Tennessee and the home team again won 80-percent of the time last week.
Looking ahead, there are some key match-ups in conference play. Purdue hits the road for Madison hoping to unseat the Badgers from their perch atop the conference standings. Four teams sit one game behind Wisconsin and a few of them battle when Iowa travels to Indiana and then the Hawkeyes trek to Columbus to take on Ohio State. The standings could have some major changes come next week as we are now settling in for the long haul.
Finally, some parting football thoughts. The All-Star tour has ensued, but more notably the time for juniors to declare for the draft is upon us. National runner-up Ohio State lost three major underclassman game breakers in Ginn, Gonzalez and Pittman. Most other teams seem to be holding onto their stars heading into spring football, though Michigan lost defensive stud Alan Branch to the draft. It all should make for a shake-up of sorts at the top. Stay tuned…
Team of the week…
Wisconsin answered the bell by hanging on for a hard fought win over Ohio State on Tuesday and then scratching out a tough on in Evanston on Saturday. The Badgers let some shaky free throw shooting get in the way, but in the end survived the week as the lone unbeaten in the conference.
On the rise…
Indiana. The Hoosiers pounded rival Purdue in the mid-week game and then played well at Penn State to pick up a rare Big Ten road win. IU seems to be getting into synch with what Kelvin Sampson wants out of them and it might well keep the Hoosiers in the thick of the Big Ten race all winter.
In need of some “Ws”…
Northwestern and Illinois. The Illini got off the schnied with a tough win over Iowa but below an 11-point half time lead in East Lansing, leaving the orange and blue a shaky 1-3 heading into week three of league play. Northwestern was no match for Michigan State and then gave up a golden opportunity to score a tremendous upset against Wisconsin. The teams are 1-7 combined and desperately in need of wins.
Player of the Week…
This go around, it’s too tough to argue against BigTen.org’s pick - Kammron Taylor from Wisconsin. Taylor was big for the Badgers in a huge home win over Ohio State and a steadying influence in a nail-biter at Northwestern. He averaged 18.5 points for the week to go along with a bonus 4.5 board per game.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 16 – Iowa at Indiana
Jan. 17 – Illinois at Minnesota
Jan. 17 – Purdue at Wisconsin
Jan. 17 – Penn State at Michigan
Jan. 17 – Northwestern at Ohio State
Jan. 20 – Purdue at Michigan
Jan. 20 – Wisconsin at Illinois
Jan. 20 – Northwestern at Minnesota
Jan. 20 – Michigan State at Penn State
Jan. 20 – Connecticut at Indiana (TIEBREAKER)
Jan. 20 – Iowa at Ohio State
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
All four players went 9-1 last week, but yours truly was closer on the margin in the OSU-Wisconsin contest. Picks for the eleven games this week are due by tip of Indiana – Iowa on Tuesday. My picks will be up sometime on Tuesday.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 26-5 (.839) – 1 GG Win
2 - Gamm: 24-7 (.774) – 1 GG Win
3 - PUFan: 23-8 (.742)
4 - Dan Meyer: 22-9 (.710) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 21-10 (.677)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 - BigTenSportsFan: 3-8 (.273)
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Title Game Tank Job and Basketball Banter…
Oh that hurt. Just when I was celebrating like a Buckeye fan with the electrifying Ted Ginn, Jr. TD jaunt off the opening kick off, something happened. Florida showed up to play and Ohio State played like the game was won long ago. Maybe on paper it was, but not on the field.
Many will wonder how much the 51-day layoff hurt the scarlet and gray. Myself included. One thing is for sure, the better team on that night won the game, and how. Florida dominated Ohio State. We all should have seen it coming. No one ever gives the No. 2 squad a chance in hell. In many cases, the No. 2 team beats the heavy favorite.
Must be something about orange and bright blue in that stadium. First Boise State, now Florida. If I had a vote, by the way, BSU gets a co-title with Florida. I don’t care who they played or didn’t play. The boys from Boise are the only undefeated team for the 2006 season.
Back to the game last night, it was actually quite anti-climatic after the kick return. Might have been one of the more boring title games yet. Hat’s off to the Buckeyes on a season that should not be diminished at all by one rotten egg. Same to Florida who became the first to possess the two biggest crowns in college sports at the same time. For golfers, that’s kinda like winning all four majors in a row. An amazing feat.
Well, now that the nearly five month foray into football is over, it is time to focus on the best sport in the land – college basketball. There is a HUGE battle for OSU tonight in Madison and some other intriguing games on the slate as well. Will the basketball Buckeyes suffer a football game watching hangover or make a statement on the road? Home teams have won eight of ten so far, and that doesn’t look to change much this week…
Final Get Gamm Football Standings
Well, since we all picked tOSU to win the National Title game, Buckeye Nation will hold on for the overall win. Congrats Buckeye Nation! You get $25 to spend in the TFS Store (link to the right). Hope it brings up your spirits after that debacle in Glendale! Let me know what you want and email it to me with your addy and I will get it in the mail.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 76-20 (.792) - 3 GG Wins
2 - Dan Meyer: 75-21 (.781) - 2 GG Wins
T3 - Gamm: 74-22 (.771) - 2 GG Wins
T3 - Mayo170: 74-22 (.771) - 1 GG Win
T3 - andrewj1313: 74-22 (.771) - 1 GG Win
6 - phatsdawg: 72-24 (.750)
7 - flakcat: 70-20 (.777) - 1 GG Win
8 - BigTenSportsFan: 59-24 (.711) - 1 GG Win
9 - PUFan: 51-23 (.689) - 1 GG Win
Back to basketball…
Team of the week…
Ohio State was beastly in the first week of Big Ten play. The Buckeyes had their hands full with Indiana in Columbus, but had their way at Illinois, arguably one of the toughest places to play anywhere in the country. It sets up an early season, attention grabbing tilt with the Badgers.
On the rise…
A few teams served some notice in the opening week of play. Michigan won at home and on the road. Not bad considering that home teams were a gaudy 8-2 to kick off conference play. Ohio State is obviously on the rise, but then again, the Bucknuts and Badgers are already at the top. The team that really rose up was Indiana. The Hoosiers battled Ohio State and then dominated Michigan State in Bloomington.
In need of some “Ws”…
Michigan State and Illinois. Two perennial contenders started off Big Ten play 0-2. MSU’s excuse is a thin roster dented even more due to injury. Not sure Illinois has as solid a reason. Either way, the teams will battle in East Lansing this Sunday to stay out of the cellar.
Player of the Week…
It’s tough to argue against BigTen.org’s pick of Penn State guard Danny Morrissey, who shot an unconscious 16-20 for the week and averaged 22.5 points in a 1-1 week for the Nittany Lions. But after watching D.J. White score on an array of moves against a good post defense team in Michigan State and turn it up on defense as well, the star forward from Indiana gets my props this week.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 9 – Ohio State at Wisconsin (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 10 – Purdue at IndianaJan. 10 – Iowa at Illinois
Jan. 10 – Northwestern at Michigan State
Jan. 13 – Indiana at Penn State
Jan. 13 – Tennessee at Ohio State
Jan. 13 – Wisconsin at Northwestern
Jan. 13 – Minnesota at Iowa
Jan. 13 – Michigan at Purdue
Jan. 14 – Illinois at Michigan State
Gamm’s picks for the week…
The game of the week tips off tonight in Madison. The two teams that will fight for the Big Ten title go at it early in league play and it should be a classic. Wisconsin is off to its best start since the 1920s. The Badgers have picked off some very talented teams along the way and have the comforts of the Kohl Center at their disposal tonight. Ohio State is also quite battle tested, though OSU hasn’t had quite as much success. The Buckeyes are perhaps one of the few teams in the Big Ten fully equipped to handle the Badgers from 1 to 5. Oden and Tucker may not go head to head, but will be the headliners in this game. This one will go to the Badgers, but solely based on the home court edge. Wisconsin 67 – Ohio State 63.
We get an early taste of one of the best rivalries in the Big Ten this week as well when Purdue heads south to face Indiana. Purdue was stunned in the Big Ten opener at Minnesota but then held off a tough Penn State squad in its home opener. Indiana gave the Buckeyes all they could handle in Columbus and then dismantled Michigan State in Bloomington. Calloway and D.J. White versus Teague and Landry is the underlying story here. The teams are evenly matched, which means it comes down to the home court advantage. Indiana 68 – Purdue 65.
Iowa got a nice opening win and then an off weekend to prepare for a big game at Illinois. The Illini are 0-2 and Iowa will not be a pushover. That said, the Illini are better built to handle the Hawkeyes than they were the Buckeyes and the chances of Illinois losing two in a row at home are slim to none. Illinois 71 – Iowa 62.
It is actually a bit of a surprise that Northwestern is 0-2 at this point, but shockingly, not so surprising that Michigan State is 0-2. Don’t get me wrong, the Spartans are the better team and will be a top half finisher come season’s end, but remember that a thin backcourt is just regaining health. Northwestern lost a tough one at home to a decent Michigan team, but home teams just don’t lose that often in the Big Ten. This is the one and only match-up and though it won’t be easy, it’ll be the win that MSU needs. Michigan State 65 – Northwestern 52.
Indiana at Penn State might be one of the surprisingly good games of the week in conference play. Penn State is an improving team, if not a Cedar Point Roller Coaster in their tendency to win big then lose a puzzler. The Bryce Jordan might be the least scary place to play a road game in the league, but this is a chance for PSU to make a statement. Penn State 73 – Indiana 70.
Ohio State steps out of the conference for what should be a really entertaining, up and down the court type game with the Volunteers. It is a key game for the scarlet and gray in terms of a big outside win to help when the NCAA Selection Committee convenes in early March. Ohio State 85 – Tennessee 80.
In what could be the upset game of the week, Wisconsin travels to Evanston to take on the Wildcats. Northwestern doesn’t scare anyone on paper and scares teams less when you see them in person. Talk about a collection, seemingly, of intramural scrappers longing to be in the spotlight. Still, this is a veteran Wisconsin team and I just don’t see them letting down to the point of a loss, even after a big one against OSU earlier in the week. Wisconsin 64 – Northwestern 58.
Minnesota and Iowa might be the yawner of the week. Iowa is coming along but how Minnesota wins is a mystery. Iowa 71 – Minnesota 57.
Michigan at Purdue is a game to keep an eye on. These are the types of games that often make or break a team that sits on the NCAA bubble come March. A win here would be epic for the Wolverines. But Matt Painter and his Boilermakers will be hungry after a tough one at Indiana. Purdue 69 – Michigan 63.
Who would have thunk it that we could have two 0-3 teams the likes of Michigan State and Illinois getting together for a national game this Sunday? I do expect both to win early in the week, setting this up to be key for positioning. You must hold serve at home to have a chance to contend in the Big Ten, even if the contention is for third or fourth place this go around. Illinois has had the Spartans’ number of late, but the Sunday crowd at the Breslin will be fired up and a State squad that is finally coming together gets a big win. Michigan State 68 - Illinois 64.
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
1 - Buckeye Nation: 17-4 (.810) – 1 GG Win
2 - Gamm: 15-6 (.714)
3 - PUFan: 14-7 (.667)
4 - Dan Meyer: 13-8 (.619) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 12-9 (.571)
6 - BigTenSportsFan: 3-8 (.273)
Oh that hurt. Just when I was celebrating like a Buckeye fan with the electrifying Ted Ginn, Jr. TD jaunt off the opening kick off, something happened. Florida showed up to play and Ohio State played like the game was won long ago. Maybe on paper it was, but not on the field.
Many will wonder how much the 51-day layoff hurt the scarlet and gray. Myself included. One thing is for sure, the better team on that night won the game, and how. Florida dominated Ohio State. We all should have seen it coming. No one ever gives the No. 2 squad a chance in hell. In many cases, the No. 2 team beats the heavy favorite.
Must be something about orange and bright blue in that stadium. First Boise State, now Florida. If I had a vote, by the way, BSU gets a co-title with Florida. I don’t care who they played or didn’t play. The boys from Boise are the only undefeated team for the 2006 season.
Back to the game last night, it was actually quite anti-climatic after the kick return. Might have been one of the more boring title games yet. Hat’s off to the Buckeyes on a season that should not be diminished at all by one rotten egg. Same to Florida who became the first to possess the two biggest crowns in college sports at the same time. For golfers, that’s kinda like winning all four majors in a row. An amazing feat.
Well, now that the nearly five month foray into football is over, it is time to focus on the best sport in the land – college basketball. There is a HUGE battle for OSU tonight in Madison and some other intriguing games on the slate as well. Will the basketball Buckeyes suffer a football game watching hangover or make a statement on the road? Home teams have won eight of ten so far, and that doesn’t look to change much this week…
Final Get Gamm Football Standings
Well, since we all picked tOSU to win the National Title game, Buckeye Nation will hold on for the overall win. Congrats Buckeye Nation! You get $25 to spend in the TFS Store (link to the right). Hope it brings up your spirits after that debacle in Glendale! Let me know what you want and email it to me with your addy and I will get it in the mail.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 76-20 (.792) - 3 GG Wins
2 - Dan Meyer: 75-21 (.781) - 2 GG Wins
T3 - Gamm: 74-22 (.771) - 2 GG Wins
T3 - Mayo170: 74-22 (.771) - 1 GG Win
T3 - andrewj1313: 74-22 (.771) - 1 GG Win
6 - phatsdawg: 72-24 (.750)
7 - flakcat: 70-20 (.777) - 1 GG Win
8 - BigTenSportsFan: 59-24 (.711) - 1 GG Win
9 - PUFan: 51-23 (.689) - 1 GG Win
Back to basketball…
Team of the week…
Ohio State was beastly in the first week of Big Ten play. The Buckeyes had their hands full with Indiana in Columbus, but had their way at Illinois, arguably one of the toughest places to play anywhere in the country. It sets up an early season, attention grabbing tilt with the Badgers.
On the rise…
A few teams served some notice in the opening week of play. Michigan won at home and on the road. Not bad considering that home teams were a gaudy 8-2 to kick off conference play. Ohio State is obviously on the rise, but then again, the Bucknuts and Badgers are already at the top. The team that really rose up was Indiana. The Hoosiers battled Ohio State and then dominated Michigan State in Bloomington.
In need of some “Ws”…
Michigan State and Illinois. Two perennial contenders started off Big Ten play 0-2. MSU’s excuse is a thin roster dented even more due to injury. Not sure Illinois has as solid a reason. Either way, the teams will battle in East Lansing this Sunday to stay out of the cellar.
Player of the Week…
It’s tough to argue against BigTen.org’s pick of Penn State guard Danny Morrissey, who shot an unconscious 16-20 for the week and averaged 22.5 points in a 1-1 week for the Nittany Lions. But after watching D.J. White score on an array of moves against a good post defense team in Michigan State and turn it up on defense as well, the star forward from Indiana gets my props this week.
This Week’s Schedule:
Jan. 9 – Ohio State at Wisconsin (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 10 – Purdue at IndianaJan. 10 – Iowa at Illinois
Jan. 10 – Northwestern at Michigan State
Jan. 13 – Indiana at Penn State
Jan. 13 – Tennessee at Ohio State
Jan. 13 – Wisconsin at Northwestern
Jan. 13 – Minnesota at Iowa
Jan. 13 – Michigan at Purdue
Jan. 14 – Illinois at Michigan State
Gamm’s picks for the week…
The game of the week tips off tonight in Madison. The two teams that will fight for the Big Ten title go at it early in league play and it should be a classic. Wisconsin is off to its best start since the 1920s. The Badgers have picked off some very talented teams along the way and have the comforts of the Kohl Center at their disposal tonight. Ohio State is also quite battle tested, though OSU hasn’t had quite as much success. The Buckeyes are perhaps one of the few teams in the Big Ten fully equipped to handle the Badgers from 1 to 5. Oden and Tucker may not go head to head, but will be the headliners in this game. This one will go to the Badgers, but solely based on the home court edge. Wisconsin 67 – Ohio State 63.
We get an early taste of one of the best rivalries in the Big Ten this week as well when Purdue heads south to face Indiana. Purdue was stunned in the Big Ten opener at Minnesota but then held off a tough Penn State squad in its home opener. Indiana gave the Buckeyes all they could handle in Columbus and then dismantled Michigan State in Bloomington. Calloway and D.J. White versus Teague and Landry is the underlying story here. The teams are evenly matched, which means it comes down to the home court advantage. Indiana 68 – Purdue 65.
Iowa got a nice opening win and then an off weekend to prepare for a big game at Illinois. The Illini are 0-2 and Iowa will not be a pushover. That said, the Illini are better built to handle the Hawkeyes than they were the Buckeyes and the chances of Illinois losing two in a row at home are slim to none. Illinois 71 – Iowa 62.
It is actually a bit of a surprise that Northwestern is 0-2 at this point, but shockingly, not so surprising that Michigan State is 0-2. Don’t get me wrong, the Spartans are the better team and will be a top half finisher come season’s end, but remember that a thin backcourt is just regaining health. Northwestern lost a tough one at home to a decent Michigan team, but home teams just don’t lose that often in the Big Ten. This is the one and only match-up and though it won’t be easy, it’ll be the win that MSU needs. Michigan State 65 – Northwestern 52.
Indiana at Penn State might be one of the surprisingly good games of the week in conference play. Penn State is an improving team, if not a Cedar Point Roller Coaster in their tendency to win big then lose a puzzler. The Bryce Jordan might be the least scary place to play a road game in the league, but this is a chance for PSU to make a statement. Penn State 73 – Indiana 70.
Ohio State steps out of the conference for what should be a really entertaining, up and down the court type game with the Volunteers. It is a key game for the scarlet and gray in terms of a big outside win to help when the NCAA Selection Committee convenes in early March. Ohio State 85 – Tennessee 80.
In what could be the upset game of the week, Wisconsin travels to Evanston to take on the Wildcats. Northwestern doesn’t scare anyone on paper and scares teams less when you see them in person. Talk about a collection, seemingly, of intramural scrappers longing to be in the spotlight. Still, this is a veteran Wisconsin team and I just don’t see them letting down to the point of a loss, even after a big one against OSU earlier in the week. Wisconsin 64 – Northwestern 58.
Minnesota and Iowa might be the yawner of the week. Iowa is coming along but how Minnesota wins is a mystery. Iowa 71 – Minnesota 57.
Michigan at Purdue is a game to keep an eye on. These are the types of games that often make or break a team that sits on the NCAA bubble come March. A win here would be epic for the Wolverines. But Matt Painter and his Boilermakers will be hungry after a tough one at Indiana. Purdue 69 – Michigan 63.
Who would have thunk it that we could have two 0-3 teams the likes of Michigan State and Illinois getting together for a national game this Sunday? I do expect both to win early in the week, setting this up to be key for positioning. You must hold serve at home to have a chance to contend in the Big Ten, even if the contention is for third or fourth place this go around. Illinois has had the Spartans’ number of late, but the Sunday crowd at the Breslin will be fired up and a State squad that is finally coming together gets a big win. Michigan State 68 - Illinois 64.
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
1 - Buckeye Nation: 17-4 (.810) – 1 GG Win
2 - Gamm: 15-6 (.714)
3 - PUFan: 14-7 (.667)
4 - Dan Meyer: 13-8 (.619) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 12-9 (.571)
6 - BigTenSportsFan: 3-8 (.273)
Monday, January 08, 2007
Quick Update and Good Luck...
A quick update since basketball turns on us quickly.
Buckeye Nation walked away with the first Big Ten week of Get Gamm, going a perfect 10-0. Here's hoping his Buckeyes do the same tonight on the football field.
Good Luck Ohio State!
Schedule:
Jan. 9 – Ohio State at Wisconsin (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 10 – Purdue at IndianaJan. 10 – Iowa at Illinois
Jan. 10 – Northwestern at Michigan State
Jan. 13 – Indiana at Penn State
Jan. 13 – Tennessee at Ohio State
Jan. 13 – Wisconsin at Northwestern
Jan. 13 – Minnesota at Iowa
Jan. 13 – Michigan at Purdue
Jan. 14 – Illinois at Michigan State
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
The rich get richer. Winner for the week was Buckeye Nation. Picks are due by tip of the OSU-Wisconsin battle.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 17-4 (.810) – 1 GG Win
2 - Gamm: 15-6 (.714)
3 - PUFan: 14-7 (.667)
4 - Dan Meyer: 13-8 (.619) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 12-9 (.571)
6 - BigTenSportsFan: 3-8 (.273)
My weekly basketball recaps and previews will appear, along with a look at the BCS Title Game, tomorrow (Tuesday).
A quick update since basketball turns on us quickly.
Buckeye Nation walked away with the first Big Ten week of Get Gamm, going a perfect 10-0. Here's hoping his Buckeyes do the same tonight on the football field.
Good Luck Ohio State!
Schedule:
Jan. 9 – Ohio State at Wisconsin (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 10 – Purdue at IndianaJan. 10 – Iowa at Illinois
Jan. 10 – Northwestern at Michigan State
Jan. 13 – Indiana at Penn State
Jan. 13 – Tennessee at Ohio State
Jan. 13 – Wisconsin at Northwestern
Jan. 13 – Minnesota at Iowa
Jan. 13 – Michigan at Purdue
Jan. 14 – Illinois at Michigan State
Get Gamm Basketball Standings
The rich get richer. Winner for the week was Buckeye Nation. Picks are due by tip of the OSU-Wisconsin battle.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 17-4 (.810) – 1 GG Win
2 - Gamm: 15-6 (.714)
3 - PUFan: 14-7 (.667)
4 - Dan Meyer: 13-8 (.619) - 1 GG Win
5 - phatsdawg: 12-9 (.571)
6 - BigTenSportsFan: 3-8 (.273)
My weekly basketball recaps and previews will appear, along with a look at the BCS Title Game, tomorrow (Tuesday).
Friday, January 05, 2007
Bowl Games, Lies and Basketball Talk...
Nope, this isn’t a sports oriented redo of the 1989 Movie “Sex, Lies and Videotape”, rather my observations and maybe a rant or three about the Big Ten’s performance in bowl games to date, the carpet bagging Nick Saban and the onset of the conference basketball season.
A lot has happened since we last spoke, just before the Christmas holiday. Bowl games have been played. Nick Saban played Judas, 2007 style. Bobby Knight broke the record of records in college basketball. Big Ten hoops – conference style – got underway. There is an awful lot to get caught up on, so without further ado…
Bowl Games…
Minnesota pulled a Northwestern and gave up the largest second half comeback in bowl history, surrendering a 31-point lead en route to an overtime loss to Texas Tech in the insight bowl. No big deal right? I mean, it was only the Insight Bowl. Not. That loss, it appears, got one of the longer tenured coaches in the Big Ten canned soon afterwards. Merry Christmas Glen Mason. You’re out of a job.
“If we had not lost the way we had lost, we probably wouldn't be here today," athletic director Joel Maturi said at the presser announcing Mason’s ouster. Truth be told, this was just the last straw in a pile of blown leads and a decade that saw Minnesota have success, but never as much as they could have. 3-15 records against arch-rivals like Michigan and Wisconsin didn’t help the cause either.
Hey, Mr. Maturi, I hear John L. Smith is available!
Purdue meanwhile was just flat out getting pushed around the field at about the same time in the Champs Sports Bowl. Maryland dominated every facet of the game leaving Purdue with an 8-6 record. Purdue lost its last two games of the season (at Hawaii and this contest) leaving many to wonder what lies ahead for the gold and black.
Iowa may well have best represented the Big Ten, at least as far as the losing teams go. The Hawkeyes struggled to a 6-7 record this season, including seven losses in the last nine games and four in a row to close the season. But, that aside, Iowa put up a good fight in a game most expected Texas to win by just showing up. The Hawkeyes jumped ahead 14-0 and appeared to go ahead 21-3 when a shaky ineligible man downfield call brought back a score and was then followed up by a game changing interception and subsequent touchdown drive.
The 26-24 loss that left the black and gold with a losing record capped off a miserable ending to what someone I know (me) predicted would be a Rose Bowl season.
Penn State brought home the first “W” for the Big Ten this bowl season, in somewhat surprising fashion. Most, myself included, figured that Tennessee, who was a couple of heartbreaking losses from playing for the SEC Championship, would win rather easily in this game. But as they say, that’s why they play the games. Penn State won with a tremendous defensive effort and solid, ball control on offense. The victory was the 22nd bowl win for Joe Paterno – an NCAA record.
On Wisconsin! The Badgers had a tough one with the Razorbacks but closed out a phenomenal first year for Coach Bret Bielema with a school record 12th win. The funny thing was how Wisconsin won the game. It isn’t surprising that the Badgers played staunch defense, but it is a little eye-opening that it was the aerial attack and not the ground game that produced the offense needed to garner a win. Wisconsin won what was supposed to be a battle between two of the best young tailbacks in the country (P.J. Hill and Darren McFadden) despite a net of minus five yards rushing for the game! Who says you have to be able to run the ball to win?
Just when it was looking brighter for the Big Ten, Michigan took the field in Pasadena. Ouch. Another ugly loss in the Rose Bowl for the maize and blue. The Wolverines never quit in this game and there were several opportunities to do so, but the stubborn game-planning of Coach Carr and his staff was evident again and it cost Michigan another big game loss.
Where was the offense that looked marvelous in Columbus? USC adjusted its game to a pass-first, pass-second, pass-third style and it dizzied the Michigan defense. Why didn’t the Wolverines adjust? That’s been a common question after four straight bowl losses and four losses in five years to rival OSU. Is Lloyd Carr becoming John Cooper? Will 2007 be his last? Stay tuned this summer when the ’07 previews hit the blog.
Lies, bald faced lies…
Raise your hand if you are surprised that Nick Saban had a change of heart and took the ‘Bama gig. My hand isn’t up. In fact, it’s on the floor. You see, the sure-fire sign that slick Nick is gonna bolt for greenback, er greener pastures is the series of denials that happen as much as a month before the change of heart. MSU fans know. We went through this almost every year. He didn’t leave for the NFL but finally bolted for LSU after five years of post-season speculation and denial that he was looking.
Thing is, I don’t blame the guy for looking, or even jumping. But dude, don’t lie! Don’t go Judas and deny the rumor three times! You’d think his agent would get him some better prep work for the inevitable questions that arise about available, big time jobs each year. A quite simple response along the lines of “I am focused on my task at hand right now, I’ll field questions about X job after my current season is over” would have been sufficient.
Instead, old Nick built upon the reputation he earned while at Michigan State and really, for the first time, he’s being taken to task for it. Pat Forde of ESPN.com wrote “Saban only lied when his lips were moving.” Legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula called Saban (I’m paraphrasing here) a liar, a fraud and a quitter. ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel asks “Why would he be happy at Alabama when he has had trouble being happy everywhere he has coached?”
Anyway, what’s done is done. I wish Saban well in Tuscaloosa. He rebuilt Michigan State nicely before leaving and it wasn’t his fault that the school hired Bobby Williams to drive the program into the dirt after he left. Roll Tide.
Basketball talk…
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Bobby Knight’s record breaking 880th win the other day. As a kid who “grew up” in Indiana, I’ve always loved the guy. He’s done it his way, and while some of his methods may have been questionable, there is no arguing his success at graduating players and doing it the right way as far as the NCAA rules and regulations are concerned. My hat’s off to you coach.
Now on to the start of Big Ten play… 5-0. That’s the record of the home team halfway through week one of conference play. Not a real surprise considering that home teams traditionally dominate in league play. Indiana and Michigan State gave the best road efforts to date but for naught as Ohio State and Iowa held serve at home and got the wins in those tilts. Michigan and Penn State had little problems in solid home openers as well. The real shocker was Minnesota’s handling of Purdue. Minnesota is arguably the weakest team in the league and yet overcame myriad turnovers to beat the Boilers in The Barn.
This weekend, the Buckeyes go to Illinois, Michigan State stays on the road (Indiana), Penn State visits Purdue, Minnesota heads to Wisconsin and Michigan travels to Northwestern. Home teams will likely stand at 8-2 or better after the weekend.
Speaking of playing on the road, Tom Izzo might want to have some time alone with his infamous sledge hammer and the Big Ten office’s scheduling software program. His Spartans have started on the road for two games each of the last four seasons. Nothing like digging out of a hole in the first week in January. Couple that with the fact that the Spartans have also been getting teams like Northwestern, Minnesota and Penn State just once a season of late and he really has to wonder what the computers have against him!
Ahead of the game, here is next week’s schedule (picks for Get Gamm are due by Tuesday at 7)
Schedule:
Jan. 9 – Ohio State at Wisconsin (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 10 – Purdue at IndianaJan. 10 – Iowa at Illinois
Jan. 10 – Northwestern at Michigan State
Jan. 13 – Indiana at Penn State
Jan. 13 – Tennessee at Ohio State
Jan. 13 – Wisconsin at Northwestern
Jan. 13 – Minnesota at Iowa
Jan. 13 – Michigan at Purdue
Jan. 14 – Illinois at Michigan State
And here are the current Get Gamm Basketball standings, through five games this week. Winners be ready to get me picks ASAP each Monday to make the site for the Tuesday game of the week. Chances are it’ll be Buckeye Nation this week as he sits 5-0 to date.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 12-4 (.750)
2 - Gamm: 11-5 (.688)
T3 - Dan Meyer: 10-6 (.625) - 1 GG Win
T3 - PUFan: 10-6 (.625)
5 - phatsdawg: 8-8 (.500)
6 - BigTenSportsFan: 3-8 (.273)
Oh, and it is never too early to talk bracketology!
Get Gamm Football Standings w/ one to play...
Well, since we all picked tOSU to win the National Title game, Buckeye Nation will hold on for the overall win. Congrats Buckeye Nation! You get $25 to spend in the TFS Store (link to the right). Let me know what you want and email it to me with your addy and I will get it in the mail.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 76-19 (.800) - 3 GG Wins
2 - Dan Meyer: 75-20 (.789) - 2 GG Wins
T3 - Gamm: 74-21 (.779) - 2 GG Wins
T3 - Mayo170: 74-21 (.779) - 1 GG Win
T3 - andrewj1313: 74-21 (.779) - 1 GG Win
6 - phatsdawg: 72-23 (.758)
7 - flakcat: 70-19 (.787) - 1 GG Win
8 - BigTenSportsFan: 59-23 (.720) - 1 GG Win
9 - PUFan: 51-22 (.699) - 1 GG Win
Nope, this isn’t a sports oriented redo of the 1989 Movie “Sex, Lies and Videotape”, rather my observations and maybe a rant or three about the Big Ten’s performance in bowl games to date, the carpet bagging Nick Saban and the onset of the conference basketball season.
A lot has happened since we last spoke, just before the Christmas holiday. Bowl games have been played. Nick Saban played Judas, 2007 style. Bobby Knight broke the record of records in college basketball. Big Ten hoops – conference style – got underway. There is an awful lot to get caught up on, so without further ado…
Bowl Games…
Minnesota pulled a Northwestern and gave up the largest second half comeback in bowl history, surrendering a 31-point lead en route to an overtime loss to Texas Tech in the insight bowl. No big deal right? I mean, it was only the Insight Bowl. Not. That loss, it appears, got one of the longer tenured coaches in the Big Ten canned soon afterwards. Merry Christmas Glen Mason. You’re out of a job.
“If we had not lost the way we had lost, we probably wouldn't be here today," athletic director Joel Maturi said at the presser announcing Mason’s ouster. Truth be told, this was just the last straw in a pile of blown leads and a decade that saw Minnesota have success, but never as much as they could have. 3-15 records against arch-rivals like Michigan and Wisconsin didn’t help the cause either.
Hey, Mr. Maturi, I hear John L. Smith is available!
Purdue meanwhile was just flat out getting pushed around the field at about the same time in the Champs Sports Bowl. Maryland dominated every facet of the game leaving Purdue with an 8-6 record. Purdue lost its last two games of the season (at Hawaii and this contest) leaving many to wonder what lies ahead for the gold and black.
Iowa may well have best represented the Big Ten, at least as far as the losing teams go. The Hawkeyes struggled to a 6-7 record this season, including seven losses in the last nine games and four in a row to close the season. But, that aside, Iowa put up a good fight in a game most expected Texas to win by just showing up. The Hawkeyes jumped ahead 14-0 and appeared to go ahead 21-3 when a shaky ineligible man downfield call brought back a score and was then followed up by a game changing interception and subsequent touchdown drive.
The 26-24 loss that left the black and gold with a losing record capped off a miserable ending to what someone I know (me) predicted would be a Rose Bowl season.
Penn State brought home the first “W” for the Big Ten this bowl season, in somewhat surprising fashion. Most, myself included, figured that Tennessee, who was a couple of heartbreaking losses from playing for the SEC Championship, would win rather easily in this game. But as they say, that’s why they play the games. Penn State won with a tremendous defensive effort and solid, ball control on offense. The victory was the 22nd bowl win for Joe Paterno – an NCAA record.
On Wisconsin! The Badgers had a tough one with the Razorbacks but closed out a phenomenal first year for Coach Bret Bielema with a school record 12th win. The funny thing was how Wisconsin won the game. It isn’t surprising that the Badgers played staunch defense, but it is a little eye-opening that it was the aerial attack and not the ground game that produced the offense needed to garner a win. Wisconsin won what was supposed to be a battle between two of the best young tailbacks in the country (P.J. Hill and Darren McFadden) despite a net of minus five yards rushing for the game! Who says you have to be able to run the ball to win?
Just when it was looking brighter for the Big Ten, Michigan took the field in Pasadena. Ouch. Another ugly loss in the Rose Bowl for the maize and blue. The Wolverines never quit in this game and there were several opportunities to do so, but the stubborn game-planning of Coach Carr and his staff was evident again and it cost Michigan another big game loss.
Where was the offense that looked marvelous in Columbus? USC adjusted its game to a pass-first, pass-second, pass-third style and it dizzied the Michigan defense. Why didn’t the Wolverines adjust? That’s been a common question after four straight bowl losses and four losses in five years to rival OSU. Is Lloyd Carr becoming John Cooper? Will 2007 be his last? Stay tuned this summer when the ’07 previews hit the blog.
Lies, bald faced lies…
Raise your hand if you are surprised that Nick Saban had a change of heart and took the ‘Bama gig. My hand isn’t up. In fact, it’s on the floor. You see, the sure-fire sign that slick Nick is gonna bolt for greenback, er greener pastures is the series of denials that happen as much as a month before the change of heart. MSU fans know. We went through this almost every year. He didn’t leave for the NFL but finally bolted for LSU after five years of post-season speculation and denial that he was looking.
Thing is, I don’t blame the guy for looking, or even jumping. But dude, don’t lie! Don’t go Judas and deny the rumor three times! You’d think his agent would get him some better prep work for the inevitable questions that arise about available, big time jobs each year. A quite simple response along the lines of “I am focused on my task at hand right now, I’ll field questions about X job after my current season is over” would have been sufficient.
Instead, old Nick built upon the reputation he earned while at Michigan State and really, for the first time, he’s being taken to task for it. Pat Forde of ESPN.com wrote “Saban only lied when his lips were moving.” Legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula called Saban (I’m paraphrasing here) a liar, a fraud and a quitter. ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel asks “Why would he be happy at Alabama when he has had trouble being happy everywhere he has coached?”
Anyway, what’s done is done. I wish Saban well in Tuscaloosa. He rebuilt Michigan State nicely before leaving and it wasn’t his fault that the school hired Bobby Williams to drive the program into the dirt after he left. Roll Tide.
Basketball talk…
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Bobby Knight’s record breaking 880th win the other day. As a kid who “grew up” in Indiana, I’ve always loved the guy. He’s done it his way, and while some of his methods may have been questionable, there is no arguing his success at graduating players and doing it the right way as far as the NCAA rules and regulations are concerned. My hat’s off to you coach.
Now on to the start of Big Ten play… 5-0. That’s the record of the home team halfway through week one of conference play. Not a real surprise considering that home teams traditionally dominate in league play. Indiana and Michigan State gave the best road efforts to date but for naught as Ohio State and Iowa held serve at home and got the wins in those tilts. Michigan and Penn State had little problems in solid home openers as well. The real shocker was Minnesota’s handling of Purdue. Minnesota is arguably the weakest team in the league and yet overcame myriad turnovers to beat the Boilers in The Barn.
This weekend, the Buckeyes go to Illinois, Michigan State stays on the road (Indiana), Penn State visits Purdue, Minnesota heads to Wisconsin and Michigan travels to Northwestern. Home teams will likely stand at 8-2 or better after the weekend.
Speaking of playing on the road, Tom Izzo might want to have some time alone with his infamous sledge hammer and the Big Ten office’s scheduling software program. His Spartans have started on the road for two games each of the last four seasons. Nothing like digging out of a hole in the first week in January. Couple that with the fact that the Spartans have also been getting teams like Northwestern, Minnesota and Penn State just once a season of late and he really has to wonder what the computers have against him!
Ahead of the game, here is next week’s schedule (picks for Get Gamm are due by Tuesday at 7)
Schedule:
Jan. 9 – Ohio State at Wisconsin (Tiebreaker)
Jan. 10 – Purdue at IndianaJan. 10 – Iowa at Illinois
Jan. 10 – Northwestern at Michigan State
Jan. 13 – Indiana at Penn State
Jan. 13 – Tennessee at Ohio State
Jan. 13 – Wisconsin at Northwestern
Jan. 13 – Minnesota at Iowa
Jan. 13 – Michigan at Purdue
Jan. 14 – Illinois at Michigan State
And here are the current Get Gamm Basketball standings, through five games this week. Winners be ready to get me picks ASAP each Monday to make the site for the Tuesday game of the week. Chances are it’ll be Buckeye Nation this week as he sits 5-0 to date.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 12-4 (.750)
2 - Gamm: 11-5 (.688)
T3 - Dan Meyer: 10-6 (.625) - 1 GG Win
T3 - PUFan: 10-6 (.625)
5 - phatsdawg: 8-8 (.500)
6 - BigTenSportsFan: 3-8 (.273)
Oh, and it is never too early to talk bracketology!
Get Gamm Football Standings w/ one to play...
Well, since we all picked tOSU to win the National Title game, Buckeye Nation will hold on for the overall win. Congrats Buckeye Nation! You get $25 to spend in the TFS Store (link to the right). Let me know what you want and email it to me with your addy and I will get it in the mail.
1 - Buckeye Nation: 76-19 (.800) - 3 GG Wins
2 - Dan Meyer: 75-20 (.789) - 2 GG Wins
T3 - Gamm: 74-21 (.779) - 2 GG Wins
T3 - Mayo170: 74-21 (.779) - 1 GG Win
T3 - andrewj1313: 74-21 (.779) - 1 GG Win
6 - phatsdawg: 72-23 (.758)
7 - flakcat: 70-19 (.787) - 1 GG Win
8 - BigTenSportsFan: 59-23 (.720) - 1 GG Win
9 - PUFan: 51-22 (.699) - 1 GG Win
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Get Gamm – Week One Basketball Previews
It’s finally that time – time for the best game in town – college basketball. More specifically, Big Ten Conference basketball. Everything prior to this is a prolonged warm-up. Some cupcakes, some toughies – all in the name of prepping for two months of hard-nosed, physically tough, emotionally draining basketball. But, if you were still looking for the bowl picks, go here.
Each week through Big Ten play, we’ll pick all the conference games. Five of the games will get some analysis by myself and whomever “Gets Gamm” for the week prior. Picks are due by tip of the first game. So, without further ado…
Schedule:
Jan. 2 – Indiana at Ohio State
Jan. 3 – Northwestern at Penn State
Jan. 3 – Illinois at Michigan
Jan. 3 – Purdue at Minnesota
Jan. 4 – Michigan State at Iowa
Jan. 6 – Penn State at Purdue
Jan. 6 – Ohio State at Illinois
Jan. 6 – Michigan at Northwestern
Jan. 6 – Minnesota at Wisconsin
Jan. 7 – Michigan State at Indiana (Tiebreaker)
Indiana at Ohio State
A classic battle to kick things off for the 2007 Big Ten slate. Indiana has been a bit of a head-scratcher so far but its losses have come to a very good Butler team, Duke and Kentucky. Kelvin Sampson is slowly getting his system into place and there is plenty of talent on his squad to win this game. However, the Ohio State freshmen have been even better than advertised thus far (in my opinion) and the Buckeyes are arguably more battle tested having played North Carolina and Florida – two legit national title contenders – on the road. If the two met again later in the season, in Bloomington, it might be another story. Ohio State 72 – Indiana 61
Penn State 65 – Northwestern 60
Illinois at Michigan
After a rather soft pre-conference slate, this will be Michigan’s third game with a big-time opponent in less than two weeks. This isn’t the dominant Illinois team of recent memory but it is still a very good squad that is more battle tested than the Wolverines. That said, the home court edge in the Big Ten is huge. Always has been, always will be. This is a solid Michigan team with its sights set on a return to the NCAA Tournament. The best way to get going down that road is a solid start in conference play against a potential contender. In what might be the best game of the week, Michigan sends an early message. Michigan 69 – Illinois 67
Purdue 74 – Minnesota 63
Michigan State at Iowa
These teams are surprising for their own reasons. Michigan State has battled backcourt injuries to a very good 13-2 start. Iowa has struggled to find itself after losing the heart and soul (Brunner and Hoerner) from last year. The Hawkeyes beat in-state rival Iowa State handily but got blown out by Drake and lost to Northern Iowa in addition to Alabama and Villanova, among others. If Michigan State is healthy, this could be a key road win for the young Spartans. Carver-Hawkeye is no picnic for anyone. This will be a down to the wire battle. Michigan State 67 – Iowa 63
Purdue 71 – Penn State 64
Ohio State at Illinois
Merry Christmas Illinois – your gift is that you get to start out at Michigan and then play Ohio State a few days later. The only thing worse would have been starting out with Wisconsin and OSU. Nonetheless, the Illini are battle tested and have more than enough athleticism to hang with Ohio State. Let’s not forget that the Buckeyes are a young team, playing several freshman throughout each game. But let’s also not forget that OSU has played in tough environments (at UNC and Florida). Winning on the road is tough and Illinois comes in with its backs against the wall. In an instant classic… Illinois 78 – Ohio State 77 in OT.
Michigan 63 – Northwestern 56
Wisconsin 81 – Minnesota 60
Michigan State at Indiana
Someone running the scheduler at the Big Ten offices doesn’t like Illinois or Michigan State. The Illini start out with two tough ones, but the Spartans get two tough ones on the road. This one may grind into more of a football game with two Heathcote-taught coaches pacing the sidelines. Points will be at a premium when these teams meet due to the toughness on defense and the glass of both teams. Michigan State could certainly steal one in Bloomington but hasn’t had a ton of success at Indiana over the years and to win two straight on the road against good teams is virtually impossible in this league. Indiana gets to .500 with a home opening victory. Indiana 65 – Michigan State 60
It’s finally that time – time for the best game in town – college basketball. More specifically, Big Ten Conference basketball. Everything prior to this is a prolonged warm-up. Some cupcakes, some toughies – all in the name of prepping for two months of hard-nosed, physically tough, emotionally draining basketball. But, if you were still looking for the bowl picks, go here.
Each week through Big Ten play, we’ll pick all the conference games. Five of the games will get some analysis by myself and whomever “Gets Gamm” for the week prior. Picks are due by tip of the first game. So, without further ado…
Schedule:
Jan. 2 – Indiana at Ohio State
Jan. 3 – Northwestern at Penn State
Jan. 3 – Illinois at Michigan
Jan. 3 – Purdue at Minnesota
Jan. 4 – Michigan State at Iowa
Jan. 6 – Penn State at Purdue
Jan. 6 – Ohio State at Illinois
Jan. 6 – Michigan at Northwestern
Jan. 6 – Minnesota at Wisconsin
Jan. 7 – Michigan State at Indiana (Tiebreaker)
Indiana at Ohio State
A classic battle to kick things off for the 2007 Big Ten slate. Indiana has been a bit of a head-scratcher so far but its losses have come to a very good Butler team, Duke and Kentucky. Kelvin Sampson is slowly getting his system into place and there is plenty of talent on his squad to win this game. However, the Ohio State freshmen have been even better than advertised thus far (in my opinion) and the Buckeyes are arguably more battle tested having played North Carolina and Florida – two legit national title contenders – on the road. If the two met again later in the season, in Bloomington, it might be another story. Ohio State 72 – Indiana 61
Penn State 65 – Northwestern 60
Illinois at Michigan
After a rather soft pre-conference slate, this will be Michigan’s third game with a big-time opponent in less than two weeks. This isn’t the dominant Illinois team of recent memory but it is still a very good squad that is more battle tested than the Wolverines. That said, the home court edge in the Big Ten is huge. Always has been, always will be. This is a solid Michigan team with its sights set on a return to the NCAA Tournament. The best way to get going down that road is a solid start in conference play against a potential contender. In what might be the best game of the week, Michigan sends an early message. Michigan 69 – Illinois 67
Purdue 74 – Minnesota 63
Michigan State at Iowa
These teams are surprising for their own reasons. Michigan State has battled backcourt injuries to a very good 13-2 start. Iowa has struggled to find itself after losing the heart and soul (Brunner and Hoerner) from last year. The Hawkeyes beat in-state rival Iowa State handily but got blown out by Drake and lost to Northern Iowa in addition to Alabama and Villanova, among others. If Michigan State is healthy, this could be a key road win for the young Spartans. Carver-Hawkeye is no picnic for anyone. This will be a down to the wire battle. Michigan State 67 – Iowa 63
Purdue 71 – Penn State 64
Ohio State at Illinois
Merry Christmas Illinois – your gift is that you get to start out at Michigan and then play Ohio State a few days later. The only thing worse would have been starting out with Wisconsin and OSU. Nonetheless, the Illini are battle tested and have more than enough athleticism to hang with Ohio State. Let’s not forget that the Buckeyes are a young team, playing several freshman throughout each game. But let’s also not forget that OSU has played in tough environments (at UNC and Florida). Winning on the road is tough and Illinois comes in with its backs against the wall. In an instant classic… Illinois 78 – Ohio State 77 in OT.
Michigan 63 – Northwestern 56
Wisconsin 81 – Minnesota 60
Michigan State at Indiana
Someone running the scheduler at the Big Ten offices doesn’t like Illinois or Michigan State. The Illini start out with two tough ones, but the Spartans get two tough ones on the road. This one may grind into more of a football game with two Heathcote-taught coaches pacing the sidelines. Points will be at a premium when these teams meet due to the toughness on defense and the glass of both teams. Michigan State could certainly steal one in Bloomington but hasn’t had a ton of success at Indiana over the years and to win two straight on the road against good teams is virtually impossible in this league. Indiana gets to .500 with a home opening victory. Indiana 65 – Michigan State 60
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