Rush The Court

We’re past the nitty-gritty portion of the non-conference schedule — packed with intriguing Thanksgiving tournaments and exciting events like the Champions Classic and the ACC/Big Ten Challenge — and on to the portion typically reserved for the cupcake games entering the holiday break. But Big Ten teams still have some important non-conference meetings coming up before they thrust themselves into conference play around the New Year. Here’s a list of some of the most intriguing — and important — remaining non-conference games. Don’t miss them (in no particular order):

• Texas at No. 19 Michigan State, December 22 — This is looking more and more like a must-win for the Spartans. They’ve got two losses already this season (although both respectable, against UConn in the Carrier Classic, and at Miami) and would do well to avoid a third heading into Big Ten play. After their rout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Wednesday, the Spartans have won 69 consecutive home non-conference games and Texas is not looking like the caliber of team that should break that streak. If the Longhorns get Myck Kabongo or Jaylen Bond back in time, though, that changes things. Until then, it’s just a big-name opponent, and a loss in this game could really hurt the Spartans come March.
• No. 20 Illinois at No. 9 Gonzaga, December 8 — When will the undefeated Illini eventually slip up? Here’s a likely candidate. It’s hard not to be impressed with the job John Groce has done in the early going, but you have to believe the clean slate will end somewhere before the Big Ten opener. Not many teams go into McCarthey Athletic Center and up against the Kennel Club in Spokane and come out alive. This will be an interesting challenge for Illinois and by far its most difficult road test of the year to date.
• No. 2 Indiana vs. Butler, December 15 — A few years ago, this would have been considered The Battle for Cody Zeller. Well, the Hoosiers got him and this contest won’t be a friendly reminder for in-state rival Bulldogs. The Hoosiers flexed their muscles against an enigmatic North Carolina squad at Assembly Hall during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but this will be Indiana’s only other non-conference opportunity to prove it’s deserving of that lofty ranking. Duke has the most impressive résumé thus far and a neutral floor win against pesky Butler would help boost the Hoosiers’ strength of schedule.
• No. 3 Michigan vs. West Virginia, December 15 — The Wolverines have made their case as one of, if not the Big Ten’s best teams, and a legitimate Final Four contender. But their only trip away from the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor was a game against Bradley. This trip to the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn will pit the Wolverines against another power conference school, albeit a West Virginia team mired so far in a mediocre season. Still, it’ll be a better test than most of what Michigan has faced this season and an opportunity for some of its young players to grow.
• Northwestern vs. Stanford, December 21 — Year in and year out, no team in the Big Ten has as small a margin for error as Northwestern as it makes its perennial quest to reach its first NCAA Tournament. And with back-to-back losses against Maryland and Illinois-Chicago making it seem like those hopes would be dashed earlier than usual, the Wildcats responded this week with a big win at Baylor. Now they need probably need at least one more good non-conference win to get back on solid ground. They’ve got home games against Butler and Stanford still to come, but let’s highlight the game against the Cardinal because it’s one of the last games to sneak in before the holiday break and the Wildcats would be wise to not be caught looking ahead to a vacation — or Big Ten play.
• No. 10 Kansas at No. 7 Ohio State, December 22 — We’re almost to mid-December and the highly-ranked Buckeyes still don’t really have a signature non-conference win. But this awesome opportunity to see a rematch of one of last year’s best NCAA Tournament games (the Final Four, no less) is a real treat for December. We’ll get to see if the Jayhawks can shut down Deshaun Thomas the way they did last year in New Orleans (expect Jeff Withey to be a factor) and if, this time, Thad Matta and the Buckeyes can make an adjustment to find other ways to score. If the Buckeyes want to prove their worth this December, here is their chance.
• No. 14 Minnesota at USC, December 8 — No team has responded more formidably to every challenge that’s been thrown its way than Minnesota, but just how solid are the Gophers? Here’s another toss-up game. It’s against USC, which already has five losses in a disappointing season. But it’s also on the road, across the country, after the Gophers have already had a grueling non-conference slate. Minnesota clocks in as the #36 rebounding team in the country, and the Trojans are #245. That should be the difference for Tubby Smith’s crew.
• Purdue vs. No. 18 Notre Dame, December 15 — Purdue has struggled mightily in home games and neutral-site contests, which account for all four of their losses this year. If they want a fighting chance of saving this season, they have to start with a victory against Notre Dame in Indianapolis. Otherwise, they might not have a chance at all to get things rolling before facing three ranked teams to start Big Ten play, and this might make for the first season in years where teams aren’t worried about traveling to West Lafayette.
• Wisconsin at Marquette, December 8 — Speaking of spoiled home-court advantage, Wisconsin suffered a rare home defeat at the hands of surprising Virginia during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Since then, it’s been hard to figure out what to expect from the Badgers, who already have three losses despite turning in some of the most balanced team performances of the season. A win against in-state rival Marquette will finally give Wisconsin fans a sigh of relief and some optimism heading into Big Ten play. A loss means we can probably rule out the Badgers for this year’s title.