State of the Big Ten Address 3.0 (March 4th)

Big Ten Tournament Bracket

Alando Tucker (UW) and Drew Neitzel (MSU) made their final arguments for Big Ten Player of the Year Saturday afternoon, by willing their teams in the final minutes of the clash in Madison ultimately going to Wisconsin 52-50 on a final seconds Cameron Taylor 3 pointer. Coach of the Year is also up for grabs after a Purdue resurgence, and a Michigan State head turner. Tom Izzo has out done himself this season, after losing three players to the NBA last season, and having a very young team (no seniors), the Spartans equalled their record from last season in the conference and overall (8-8, 21-10) going into the tournaments. Back to basics was the theme this year as Michigan State relied heavily on defense, rebounding, and ball control to win games, instead of the knockout offensive juggernaut they have been for years. Purdue behind Coach Painter, has turned what was supposed to be a doormat in the league this year into an NCAA Dance contender out of nowhere. They have some work to do, most think, in the BTT, becaus their RPI is currently only at #47.

Ohio State locked up the regular season Big Ten title after beating Wisconsin last week 49-48, and knocking off a stubborn senior laden Michigan squad 65-61 last night in Ann Arbor. They will be #1 in both major polls for the second straight week as they head into the Big Ten Tournament (BTT). Iowa dealt a possible NCAA hopes blow to Illinois 60-53 last night, sending the Illini to 9-7 in the B10, and further dropping their RPI (#36). There are only a handful of teams with 20 wins from a major conference who haven't made the Dance with an RPI in the 30's, but it does happen from time to time.

Michigan State had a bad week in the loss column after a big week the previous. The Spartans (with 3 ill on the team due to flu related sickness) lost Tuesday in Ann Arbor to Michigan 67-56. The team RPI is still very high at #21, and that alone will get the Spartans into the dance regardless of what happens in the BTT. Michigan had a decent week, beating rival Mich State at home and then losing a tough one to the #1 ranked Buckeyes by 4. The Wolverines have 20 victories this year, but only have an RPI of #53. They need to make a serious push in the BTT or win the thing.

Indiana finished the season as expected beating N'Western and Penn State handily, and finishinsg the regular season at 20-9 and 10 Big Ten wins lands them squarely into the Big Dance.

Iowa needs to win the BTT in order to become a member of the NCAA Big Dance this season. Iowa lost to Penn State which was the ultimate dagger 74-72 on Wednesday. They did beat Illinois Saturday night, but this could be looked at as too little too late. They have 13 losses with a very suspect non conference schedule. Their RPI is only at #85. They are scheduled to match with Purdue on march 9th in their first B10 game.

SSE forecasts 6 teams from the Big Ten being selected for the Big Dance, and here is how it breaks down:

1 SEED - Ohio State Buckeyes 27-3 (15-1)

• The Buckeyes struggled to get by a vry emotional Michigan team on the road, and in my opinion, that is okay. They have already wrapped up the B10 regular season title, they are playing for nothing at this point, just NCAA seeding, which they should wrap up in the BTT, barring any major upsets. Look for a this team to come together, and make a serious push in the Dance. Keep Georgetown out of their way.

3 SEED – Wisconsin Badgers 27-4 (13-3)

• Losing to Michigan State on the road was one thing these Badgers has a hard time dealing with, but almost losing at home is turning heads in the college basketball community. The offense in the last 3 games has mustered scores of only 55, 48, and 52 for an average of only 51.5 ppg in their last 3. Will it weigh in the minds of the NCAA Tournament selection committee and their seeding? Will the 1-2 record send them down to a 3 seed? If the lose their first game or seminfinal of the BTT they will be a 3 seed. Without Butch they are a 3 or even 4 at best in the national scene.

6 SEED – Indiana Hoosiers 20-9 (10-6)

• Barring a first round exit from the BTT, the Hoosiers are in a good place to gain a 6 seed in the Dance. They had a couple pasties to close the regular season and need a win in the BTT to solidify their national position.

6 SEED – Michigan State Spartans 21-10 (8-8)

• Due to the conference schedule weights that the selection committee will be looking at, and the Big Ten Conference will be reviewing for possible changes as early as next season, the Spartans are the team that is rated as having the toughest strength of schedule within the conference. Especially the final month. They open up the BTT against NWestern on Thursday, and have another rematch with Wisconsin looming after that as they are the second round team waiting.

9 SEED – Illinois Fighting Illini 21-10 (9-7)

• After a devastating loss to Iowa on Saturday, the Illini find themselves having to beat Penn State on Thursday to get a look for being a lock for the Dance. I have them beating PSU, and giving Indiana a run for the money in the 2nd round. They should be okay, and a solid 9 seed.

10 SEED – Purdue Boilermakers 20-10 (9-7)

• Many Iowa fans are in an uproar of the experts not giving their beloved Hawkeyes a look for the Dance. But the fact is, they have 13 losses with no big name wins on record. Unless you count a home win against Mich State as a big win? But they were ranked at the time, but not now. The Boilers have taken care of the final season games, and sit with the second round game on Friday against Iowa. The boilers can put any Hawkeye questions to rest by beating them, and ending speculation. Chances are in Iowa wins the BTT, they will take another B10 teams spot in the Dance, most likely Purdue's.

IIowa and Michigan are still in the same boat the were in since the 1st Big Ten State Address. Michigan did win a home game against Mich State on Tuesday night, but followed with a loss to #1 Ohio State on Saturday. Here's what we have:

NIT Lock – Iowa Hawkeyes 17-13 (9-7)

• The loss to Penn State on Wednesday finally put me over the top about this team. They are nothing but a good NIT team. That's it. I am not going to continue to argue with you (and readers emails) about why I can justify they dont belong. This team is 2 losses away from barely making the NIT. Give it up.

NIT Lock – Michigan Wolverines 20-11 (8-8)

• Michigan teams with 19 and 20 wins in a season continue to be frauds. They havent been the same since they paid players to play there, and they will not contend until they start paying again.

In closing, the picture is pretty self explanatory. Ohio State is the regular season champ, and Wisconsin has the #2 seed. The middle of the B10 is a packed crazy mess. Look for one of those teams that need wins yet to win or make some serious noise in the BTT. I cannot see Ohio State of Wisco winning this thing. There are going to be teams playing much harder than they, especially watch out for the Iowa and Purdue winner.

• Big Ten Tournament (March 8-11th)

Next week will be the NCAA Tournament Preview.