With the Big Ten being so wide open this season, almost every game is meaningful to the standings. Illinois is 10th in the conference but is only 2.5 games back of the leaders Maryland and Wisconsin. This weekend’s Big Ten basketball games are going to go a long way into telling who wins the conference title.
Iowa @ Purdue (Saturday 12:00pm ET)
The Iowa Hawkeyes head in to West Lafayette to take on the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday. This game features the Hawkeyes who are 13-6 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten. They are also ranked #25 in the nation. Purdue comes into this game 11-8 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten.
Both of these teams are in much need of a Big Ten win. If Purdue wins this game that makes the Big Ten a bigger mess than it already is. They both then would have the same conference record.
If Iowa wins this game it would be great for their tournament resume as well as their standing in the Big Ten. This would put them at 5-2 in the Big Ten which would look a lot better than 4-3. An Iowa win would also kill any chance that Purdue had at making the NCAA Tournament. This is a big game for both teams.
Illinois @ Minnesota (Saturday 2:15pm ET)
The Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers this Saturday. The Illini need this win just as much if not more than any team this weekend.
The Illini are 13-7 overall and 3-4 in the Big Ten. Minnesota is 12-8 overall and 1-6 in the Big Ten. The Gophers are all but eliminated from tournament contention. This has been a disappointing season so far. Illinois is a different story.
The Illini come into this game after losing starting guard Aaron Cosby. While many teams would just fold after losing three key players this season, the Illini are different. They find some type of strength as players go down. A victory for Illinois would mean that they get back to .500 for the Big Ten season and they would move to 14-7 overall.
Right now ESPN has Illinois as the “next 4 out” for their bracketology. This win would help their case and hopefully will lead to more wins and a tournament berth. A loss for Illinois would be devastating. They need this win so they can keep momentum but a 3-5 Big Ten record would eliminate the Illini from tournament contention.
Michigan State @ Nebraska (Saturday 4:00pm ET)
The Michigan State Spartans go up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers to see who can start making a run at the Big Ten title.
The Spartans are 13-6 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten. Nebraska is 11-7 overall and 3-3 in the Big ten. This game is much like the Iowa vs. Purdue game. Both teams need this win to get a better standing in the conference.
If Michigan State wins they will move to 5-2 which will put them right in the middle of the Big Ten title race. They haven’t had a typical Michigan State season this year. They have struggled with many teams but they still find themselves in the conversation for a Big Ten crown.
A Spartan win would also prove costly to the Cornhuskers. Nebraska is in a must win or they are going to be looking at an NIT berth. A loss for them would make them 11-8 overall and 3-4 in the Big Ten. They wouldn’t have a prayer at making it.
A win though, would prove very beneficial to Nebraska. They would move into a tie with Michigan State in the conference with a victory. This would be impressive considering they have been a disappointment alongside Michigan State this year.
Wisconsin @ Michigan (Saturday 7:00pm ET)
The Wisconsin Badgers head down to Michigan to play the Wolverines. Wisconsin is the current leader in the Big Ten with a 5-1 record. They are also ranked #6 in the nation. Both teams are vying for a Big Ten crown though.
Wisconsin heads into this game 17-2 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten. Michigan is 12-7 overall and 5-2 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines had a rough nonconference schedule and this is why their overall record is bad.
A Michigan win means that they would have the lead in the Big Ten. Since Indiana beat Maryland on Thursday night, Michigan would be tied with the Hoosiers for the conference championship. This would be amazing compared to the team we seen earlier this season.
If Michigan loses though, it would hurt greatly. They lost their top scorer, Caris LeVert, for the rest of the season. I would not be surprised if Michigan can’t recover from that.
A Wisconsin win would mean they would have complete control of their Big Ten destiny. They would have the Big Ten right where they want them.
Indiana @ Ohio State (Sunday 1:30pm ET)
The Indiana Hoosiers head over to Ohio to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. Indiana is one of the biggest surprises of the season and they also have one of the best players in the nation in James Blackmon Jr.
Indiana comes into this game 15-4 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten. Ohio State is 15-5 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten.
With an Indiana win they will be right there in the middle of a Big Ten title race. This team was not supposed to compete this quick for a conference championship. The addition of Blackmon has proved to be great and actually might lead the Hoosiers deep into the tournament.
An Indiana loss would hurt but they still could recover. That would only move them to 15-5 overall and 5-2 in the Big Ten. If the Buckeyes win that would keep them not only in contention for the Big Ten title but it would also put them on track to make the NCAA Tournament.
All of these game are going to be important this weekend for the Big Ten conference. It looks like I am going to clear my schedule and welcome in the couch.