Big Ten Basketball

[Sweep The Leg Johnny]

The Badgers are definitely a real threat to win the conference. In fact I would probably consider them the favorite at this point.

They don't lose at home, they don't have a real difficult road schedule, and Bo is one of the most underrated coaches in the country.

 

By default, I think Badgers are the clear favorite right now. They're 4-0 and have a favorable schedule. However - I think its still a bit too early to be discussing favorites. They still need to win big games on the road, and this upcoming OSU game will be telling. If Krabbenhoft, Landry & Stiemsma continue to develop over the Big Ten season, this young Badger team can be REALLY good.

 

Nice handle, Sweeptheleg. Are you a NWstern student?

 

Thanks! No Mercy! :)

 

Actually I'm a graduate of Wisconsin-Madison, but grew up in the Chicagoland area. I've always been a fan of Northwestern sports though. Except its getting harder to like their football team, they continue to beat Wisconsin!

[Jon]

It's grown into a great rivalry. I believe the two teams will be playing each other on rivaly weekend in 2009 and 2010 since Illinois is off those weeks.

 

Weird start to the Big Ten season. Northwestern lays an egg against Penn State (okay, that's not really weird) after getting an actual road win in Minnesota (that is), Iowa barely escapes Penn State today, and Illinois barely beats Michigan at home, a team coming off a near loss to Purdue.

[jaydee]

wisconsin should be the favorite to win the big10. but they are not the best team in the big 10

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm just gonna keep posting it until you all believe it, or he starts doing something worthwhile.

 

Warren Carter is the worst basketball player I've ever seen in my entire life.

[illiniguy]

I'm just gonna keep posting it until you all believe it, or he starts doing something worthwhile.

 

Warren Carter is the worst basketball player I've ever seen in my entire life.

Interesting you would say that after he made two huge free throws and Marcus Arnold was again out played by him.

[stitchface]

It's grown into a great rivalry. I believe the two teams will be playing each other on rivaly weekend in 2009 and 2010 since Illinois is off those weeks.

 

Weird start to the Big Ten season. Northwestern lays an egg against Penn State (okay, that's not really weird) after getting an actual road win in Minnesota (that is), Iowa barely escapes Penn State today, and Illinois barely beats Michigan at home, a team coming off a near loss to Purdue.

 

 

Illinois Northwestern isn't really a rivalry.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm just gonna keep posting it until you all believe it, or he starts doing something worthwhile.

 

Warren Carter is the worst basketball player I've ever seen in my entire life.

 

You've obviously not seen Michael Fey, who masquerades as a C for UCLA.

[Derwood]

The Nittany Lions put a bit of a scare into Iowa, eh?

[Flames24Rulz]

It's grown into a great rivalry. I believe the two teams will be playing each other on rivaly weekend in 2009 and 2010 since Illinois is off those weeks.

 

Weird start to the Big Ten season. Northwestern lays an egg against Penn State (okay, that's not really weird) after getting an actual road win in Minnesota (that is), Iowa barely escapes Penn State today, and Illinois barely beats Michigan at home, a team coming off a near loss to Purdue.

 

 

Illinois Northwestern isn't really a rivalry.

 

I'm pretty sure Jon was talking about NU-Wisky. And I agree with you, Illinois-NU really isn't a rivalry besides the teams being in the same state.

[wolf stansson]

Warren Carter is the worst basketball player I've ever seen in my entire life.

I submit for your approval Nick chainsaw Smith.

[Flames24Rulz]

Warren Carter is the worst basketball player I've ever seen in my entire life.

I submit for your approval Nick chainsaw Smith.

 

I'll second this. How can a person so tall be so bad?

[rawaction]

Big game tonight. 5th best FG defense team against the best shooting team in the country. Team that scores 80 per game against at team that allows 56. Something's gotta give. The conference contenders have held up their home court. IU has to hold up theirs tonight or else their chances at a conference title are gone.

 

Keys to the game:

 

Illinois

-Get some help. Brown and Augustine are scoring nearly 60% of their points in the conference season.

-Stop Killingsworth. If they can hold Killer in check (25.5 in nationally televised games), and not get Auggie in foul trouble, they'll win.

 

Indiana

-Team rebound. With White gone, Illinois has the advantage in size and athletic ability up front. Guards gotta be aggressive on the defensive glass.

-Make someone else beat you. Don't leave Dee, ever. Collapse on him in the lane, and make someone else hit a shot.

[illiniguy]

Big game tonight. 5th best FG defense team against the best shooting team in the country. Team that scores 80 per game against at team that allows 56. Something's gotta give. The conference contenders have held up their home court. IU has to hold up theirs tonight or else their chances at a conference title are gone.

 

Keys to the game:

 

Illinois

-Get some help. Brown and Augustine are scoring nearly 60% of their points in the conference season.

-Stop Killingsworth. If they can hold Killer in check (25.5 in nationally televised games), and not get Auggie in foul trouble, they'll win.

 

Indiana

-Team rebound. With White gone, Illinois has the advantage in size and athletic ability up front. Guards gotta be aggressive on the defensive glass.

-Make someone else beat you. Don't leave Dee, ever. Collapse on him in the lane, and make someone else hit a shot.

Should be a great game, I think you guys will hold serve as I don't think we can stop Killer. Your guys should shoot well at home. I think we return the favor later in the year though.

[SouthSideRyan]

If anyone's in Champaign, I'll be at Legend's. Come buy me a beer and listen to me hate on Warren Carter.

[gflore34]

wisconsin should be the favorite to win the big10. but they are not the best team in the big 10

 

I second that, due to an extremely favorable schedule they'll probably win the Big Ten. And as a result, get seeded, as the Big Ten's best team, fairly high in the Tournament. However, I don't believe they'll make it to the second weekend.

[badgercub]

wisconsin should be the favorite to win the big10. but they are not the best team in the big 10

 

I second that, due to an extremely favorable schedule they'll probably win the Big Ten. And as a result, get seeded, as the Big Ten's best team, fairly high in the Tournament. However, I don't believe they'll make it to the second weekend.

 

Why do you think that? They made it to the Sweet 16 last year, and although they lost a lot from last years team, they are much deeper this year which I think will help them come tournament time.

[Chocolate Milk]

wisconsin should be the favorite to win the big10. but they are not the best team in the big 10

 

I second that, due to an extremely favorable schedule they'll probably win the Big Ten. And as a result, get seeded, as the Big Ten's best team, fairly high in the Tournament. However, I don't believe they'll make it to the second weekend.

 

Why do you think that? They made it to the Elite Eight last year, and although they lost a lot from last years team, they are much deeper this year which I think will help them come tournament time.

 

Fixed. They also gave NC a game, which no one expected.

[gflore34]

wisconsin should be the favorite to win the big10. but they are not the best team in the big 10

 

I second that, due to an extremely favorable schedule they'll probably win the Big Ten. And as a result, get seeded, as the Big Ten's best team, fairly high in the Tournament. However, I don't believe they'll make it to the second weekend.

 

Why do you think that? They made it to the Sweet 16 last year, and although they lost a lot from last years team, they are much deeper this year which I think will help them come tournament time.

 

They're deeper no doubt but, beyond Arlando Tucker there's no inside game. Come Tournament time Brain Butch hanging out around the perimeter shooting 3's is not where he'll be most effective. What happens, and you know it well because, things like this always happen in the Tournament, if Tucker gets in foul trouble?

[badgercub]

wisconsin should be the favorite to win the big10. but they are not the best team in the big 10

 

I second that, due to an extremely favorable schedule they'll probably win the Big Ten. And as a result, get seeded, as the Big Ten's best team, fairly high in the Tournament. However, I don't believe they'll make it to the second weekend.

 

Why do you think that? They made it to the Sweet 16 last year, and although they lost a lot from last years team, they are much deeper this year which I think will help them come tournament time.

 

They're deeper no doubt but, beyond Arlando Tucker there's no inside game. Come Tournament time Brain Butch hanging out around the perimeter shooting 3's is not where he'll be most effective. What happens, and you know it well because, things like this always happen in the Tournament, if Tucker gets in foul trouble?

 

I think guys like Landry and Chappel could get the job done inside and if you go with a bigger lineup that creates match up problems even Butch can score inside if he is matched up with someone smaller, or with his outside shot he can draw the bigger defenders out on the perimeter and with the swing offense, the Badgers post their guards as much as their bigs.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I wouldn't say UW is for sure not making the second weekend of the tourney, but I wouldn't guarantee them a spot either. As someone pointed out earlier, their easier conference schedule will likely lead to a favorable seed, which will work in their favor. As far as the team itself goes, I'm going to wait and see how they handle their trips to Iowa, OSU, and MSU. Their performance(not necessarily W-L result) will be telling to how far they go in the tourney IMO.

[dalgreen]

Anybody saying that Wisconsin is not a good team is just hatin'. Do I think they'll win the Big Ten, maybe, but maybe not. However, Bo Ryan is a damn good coach and I'm an Illinois fan. They have had good success primarily having only one stud player on the team over the last few years. They are good and will continue to be good because they are well coached, disciplined and play good defense. I still hate the Big Ten scheduling. How difficult is it to start the Big Ten season one week early so that you can have a round robin schedule?

[dalgreen]

I wouldn't say UW is for sure not making the second weekend of the tourney, but I wouldn't guarantee them a spot either. As someone pointed out earlier, their easier conference schedule will likely lead to a favorable seed, which will work in their favor. As far as the team itself goes, I'm going to wait and see how they handle their trips to Iowa, OSU, and MSU. Their performance(not necessarily W-L result) will be telling to how far they go in the tourney IMO.

 

Even if they lose those three road games, and if they do the nearly impossible and lose a home game this year they'll still finish 12-4 in the conference. Plus, there's no shame in losing at Iowa, OSU and MSU.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I wouldn't say UW is for sure not making the second weekend of the tourney, but I wouldn't guarantee them a spot either. As someone pointed out earlier, their easier conference schedule will likely lead to a favorable seed, which will work in their favor. As far as the team itself goes, I'm going to wait and see how they handle their trips to Iowa, OSU, and MSU. Their performance(not necessarily W-L result) will be telling to how far they go in the tourney IMO.

 

Even if they lose those three road games, and if they do the nearly impossible and lose a home game this year they'll still finish 12-4 in the conference. Plus, there's no shame in losing at Iowa, OSU and MSU.

 

Exactly, they're on the fast track to win the conference, part of that being because they don't go to either Assembly hall.

Edited January 18, 2006 by Transmogrified Tiger

[gflore34]

Anybody saying that Wisconsin is not a good team is just hatin'. Do I think they'll win the Big Ten, maybe, but maybe not. However, Bo Ryan is a damn good coach and I'm an Illinois fan. They have had good success primarily having only one stud player on the team over the last few years. They are good and will continue to be good because they are well coached, disciplined and play good defense. I still hate the Big Ten scheduling. How difficult is it to start the Big Ten season one week early so that you can have a round robin schedule?

 

Seconded, I'm fairly certain they used to play 18 Conference games before Penn State became a member. Why not 20?

[rawaction]

I wouldn't say UW is for sure not making the second weekend of the tourney, but I wouldn't guarantee them a spot either. As someone pointed out earlier, their easier conference schedule will likely lead to a favorable seed, which will work in their favor. As far as the team itself goes, I'm going to wait and see how they handle their trips to Iowa, OSU, and MSU. Their performance(not necessarily W-L result) will be telling to how far they go in the tourney IMO.

 

Even if they lose those three road games, and if they do the nearly impossible and lose a home game this year they'll still finish 12-4 in the conference. Plus, there's no shame in losing at Iowa, OSU and MSU.

 

Exactly, they're on the fast track to win the conference, part of that being because they don't go to either Assembly hall.

 

Yep. Got a lucky break this year. Can't complain, IU had the easy schedule last year, but didn't have the team to do anything with it. Wisconsin has a shot to go deep. They have had less talented (albeit more experienced) teams go far in the tourney. Illinois has a shot with defense. MSU has a shot with talent. IU has a shot with shooting ability. The conference is strong this year. The B10 tourney should be fun this year.