We are starting to see things shake themselves out in the Big Ten standings, but all it takes is one full slate of games to change that in a flash. There’s a nice lineup on Thursday night, so let’s take a look at the implications of three games around the conference.
#23 Wisconsin at Minnesota, 7 PM ET
- It has certainly been a topsy-turvy season of sorts for the Badgers, who have been uncharacteristically mediocre at home, but made up for it with staunch play on the road. This is another test for Wisconsin as it tries to keep pace atop the standings and a critical game for Minnesota’s NCAA Tournament chances. The Golden Gophers are on the bubble with a tough road ahead so they need to capitalize on all reasonable home opportunities with a return date set in Madison for February 28. The Badgers can put the conference’s top scoring defense to the test, while Minnesota — shooting 36% this season, third in the conference, from 3-point range — will try to knock the Badgers down from deep. This game comes down to how well Minnesota, 10th in the Big Ten in turnover margin, protects the ball at home against a stingy Badgers defense.
Illinois at #22 Indiana, 8 PM ET
- These teams are neck-and-neck in the standings, 3 1/2 games behind first-place Ohio State, but Illinois needs this one just a bit more than Indiana. That said, with the way the Hoosiers have performed at home versus Illinois’ inconsistent play, it will be a tall order for Bruce Weber‘s group. It’s the lone meeting of the year between these two groups, and the Fighting Illini are sure to need another heroic effort out of Brandon Paul (he has scored in double figures in each of his Big Ten games) to keep up with Indiana’s high-flying offense. A loss Thursday and the Hoosiers just may switch places with the Illini in terms of NCAA Tournament chances.
Iowa at Northwestern, 9 PM ET
- Iowa needs something just short of a minor miracle to work its way into the NCAA Tournament discussion (this victory would surely help) but, for all intents and purposes, this game is about Northwestern trying to shake that monkey off its back. The Wildcats do have a shot at dancing in March, but absolutely must take care of business against lesser opponents at home to do so. This a huge-risk, little-reward scenario for Bill Carmody and Northwestern, which is coming off a major victory on in-state rival Illinois’ home floor. A win against the Hawkeyes gives Northwestern a three-game winning streak and critical momentum heading into a road game at Purdue, but a loss would likely mean a trip back to the N.I.T. Keep an eye on Northwestern’s pesky offense and propensity for the 3-pointer (second in the Big Ten in 3-point shooting) to give Iowa’s dismal defense major fits.