- Purdue certainly has not dominated in many senses of the game this season and enters a crucial road game at Illinois on Tuesday without having won back-to-back games this calendar year. But while the Boilermakers have disappointed in some areas — they’re ninth in the conference in field goal offense and field goal defense, last in free throw percentage, and eleventh in rebounding margin — they’ve excelled at taking care of the basketball. After an 87-77 win against Northwestern on Sunday, the Boilermakers led the Big Ten with the fewest turnovers this season (219 total, 8.8 per game). Entering Tuesday night, they were second in the league in both turnover margin and assist-to-turnover ratio. As the bubble-bound Boilers grind through the rest of the season, taking care of the ball will certainly be key in games that come down to a possession or two.
- Minnesota coach Tubby Smith has done a commendable job managing his team through the loss of Trevor Mbakwe and toward the NCAA Tournament. But there have been naysayers throughout his tenure in Minnesota and this year is no different. Could the Golden Gophers soon be going after a native son to lead the program? The St. Paul Pioneer Press‘ Charley Walters says, despite the fact that Minnesota alumnus Flip Saunders is unemployed, the former NBA coach is not chasing the Minnesota job. Not yet, at least.
- Tom Izzo is a rare breed, there’s no question about that. But how many guys do you know who complain about days off? Izzo is one of them, and he spoke about it this week as Michigan State faces a grueling upcoming schedule with which Izzo is tasked with balancing NCAA guidelines for days off as well. The Spartans, who have five games coming up in 13 days, took Sunday off after upsetting Ohio State and then Monday to abide by the NCAA rules that say a team must take one day off per week. Izzo doesn’t like the situation, but he must be doing something right to have his Spartans where they are in Big Ten play.
- Illinois certainly has the talent to compete with anybody in the Big Ten, but it’s the inconsistency that riles coach Bruce Weber and the Fighting Illini faithful. After holding Michigan State to just 41 points in an upset victory, Illinois has allowed an average of 76 points per game in three straight losses (to Northwestern, Indiana, and Michigan). Weber says that (what else?) the defense is the key to his club getting back on track.
- When John Beilein took over the Michigan basketball program, he was challenged in recruiting and had a number of players under scholarship who never made it to their senior year with the team. Now, a few years have passed, and as Beilein has things under control, Michigan’s recruiting has really heated up. The Wolverines have a top-10 recruiting class in line for next season — including five-star power forward Mitch McGary — and more talent expected for the 2013 group. How exactly has he pulled it off? AnnArbor.com‘s Nick Baumgardner has the answer.