New Big Ten Breakdown

We are now pretty much 3/4 of the way through the Big Ten Season, so lets recap what has happened right now and try and predict how many Big Ten teams will make the NCAA Tournament. Everyone is delusional if they think the Big Ten will get more that 7 teams. I think that even 6 is a stretch, and more than likely it will be 5 teams that get in, with perhaps Wisconsin and Minnesota getting bounced into the NIT. Here is the best case scenario for Big Ten teams as far as making the tournament.

Here are the updated standings for the Big Ten

Michigan State 11-3 : 21-5
Purdue 10-4 : 21-6
Illinois 10-5 : 22-6
Penn State 8-6 : 19-8
Minnesota 8-7 : 20-7
Wisconsin 8-7 : 17-10
Ohio State 7-7 : 17-8
Michigan 7-8 : 17-11
Northwestern 5-9 : 14-11
Iowa 4-10 : 14-13
Indiana 1-13 : 6-20

Michigan State

It is pretty amazing how Michigan State has such a good record even though they played without Goran Suton early in the year, and they haven't had Raymar Morgan healthy for most of the Big Ten season. Tom Izzo is an amazing coach who will always get the most out of his talent. It also helps that he gets a lot of amazing talent. Michigan State almost gave away a game today against Wisconsin, but they played great down the stretch to pull it out. Not only will they win the Big Ten, but because Morgan is getting healthier, they should win the Big Ten tournament also.

Remaining Schedule:
Iowa and Purdue @ home, and Illinois and Indiana on the road.

Final Record:
14-4
#2 seed in the NCAA Tournament

Purdue

Like Michigan State, they were not completely healthy either during the Big Ten season. Robbie Hummel is now trying to play, and is at least getting some solid minutes, but he is not nearly the player that he was last year. They made up for getting swept by Illinois by pounding MSU at home, but they have to go to Michigan State for the last game of the year. That game at Michigan State could determine who wins the Big Ten title, but I don't see them winning that game. Jajuan Johnson is playing great inside, and they are getting good point play from Freshman Lewis Jackson. Purdue has solid play all around, and I don't think that they will crap the bed in any of the easier games they have left.

Remaining Schedule:
@ Michigan and Michigan State, Ohio State and Northwestern on the road.

Final Record:
13-5
#5 seed in NCAA Tournament

Illinois

As much as it frustrates the hell out of all of us when Illinois plays games like Penn State and Minnesota, no one could have predicted that they would be 22-6 right now. It is also amazing that Illinois swept the season series with Ohio State and Purdue, who were 2 teams that everyone thought would contend for the Big Ten title. The one thing that has helped Illinois this year is the fact that they have had the same starting line-up for the last 26 games. One thing that all Illinois fans should pray for is that they play some teams in the NCAA Tournament that play a zone defense. Every team that has played a zone against Illinois has payed for it, and also teams that have tried to press the Illini. The remaining schedule for Illinois is against teams that they have already lost to, but only Michigan State should scare Illini fans. Illinois shut down Talor Battle, and Minnesota was another game where Illinois shot terrible. As they have proved all year, they can have games where they play like shit, but when they are focused, they can play and beat anyone.

Remaining Schedule:
Minnesota and Michigan State at Home, Penn State on the road

Final Record:
13-5
#4 seed in the NCAA Tournament

Penn State

The Illinois game pretty much sealed up a NCAA tournament bid for Penn State as long as they finish 3-1 down the stretch. I was not impressed with Penn State at all during the Illinois game, but there was nothing impressive about that game for either team. Talor Battle seems to be back on track after having to deal with an illness in his family. Cornley is still the most impressive big man in the conference because he can shoot outside and finish inside against much larger defenders. He also rebounds like a monster. Their biggest game is coming up on Tuesday when they go to Ohio State. OSU plays no defense what so ever, so look for Battle to have a big game, but the winner of that game will go to the Tournament, while the loser will have work to do in the Big Ten tourney to get a spot.

Remaining Schedule:
At Ohio State and Iowa, Illinois and Indiana at home.

Final Record
11-7
#7 seed in NCAA Tournament

Minnesota

I still hate this team, and I told all of you that they would absolutely shit the bed on the road. They really should thank the God of Golden Gophers for the overtime win in Wisconsin when Wisco couldn't buy a win! Road wins at Iowa and Indiana by a combined 7 points tells you everything you need to know about this team. They should be in the tournament, but that is only because they beat Louisville this season and have the win at home against Illinois. If they lose out, which is a distinct possibility, their lack of road wins will bite them in the ass. I understand that Tubby has a young team, so he wanted to schedule an easy non-conference to give his team some confidence, but he might have scheduled them into the NIT. Michigan and Wisconsin will be playing for their NCAA lives since they both lost today, so I think Minnesota could be on the outside looking in. You can't finish below .500 in your conference and get in the NCAA's unless you play in the Big East.

Remaining Schedule:
At Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin at home.

Final Record:
9-9
#10 seed in the NCAA Tournament

Wisconsin

Losing today at Michigan State really hurt this team. Losing the way they did has to kill them. Wisconsin was up 41-29 with 12 minutes left, and then lost 61-50. They really needed this win to help them get in the tournament. Their only signature win is against Illinois at home, other than that they haven't beaten a tournament team unless Penn State makes it in. Illinois is the only ranked team that they have beaten. Already having 10 losses, and losing 6 in a row will kill this team. They have to win out to have a shot at the tournament, if not, they need to make the finals of the Big Ten Tournament. On the bright side, all of their remaining games are winnable, but they really need to bounce back well after falling apart today.

Remaining Schedule:
Michigan and Indiana at Home, at Minnesota

Final Record:
11-7
NIT Tournament (unless they have a good run in the Big Ten Tournament)

Ohio State

Even though Ohio State lost to Illinois again today, they will get the last bid from the Big Ten in the NCAA tournament. They have lost 3 in a row to Illinois, Northwestern and Wisconsin, but wins against Notre Dame, Miami, and Butler will give them enough quality wins. That is as long as they win at least 2 of their last 4 games and at least one in the Big Ten tournament. They will get bounced early because they don't play any defense, but they can ride Evan Turner like they did today to maybe grab more than 2 wins to finish Big Ten play.

Remaining Schedule:
Penn State and Northwestern at home, Iowa and Purdue on the road

Final Record:
9-9
#9 seed in NCAA Tournament

Michigan

By losing today at Iowa, Michigan kissed its chance to make the NCAA Tournament good-bye! I am going to pat myself on the back with an assist from Yerk for this one, because I told you that Michigan was a terrible road team, and that they wouldn't win on the road in the Big Ten unless it was a fluke. They can beat Duke and UCLA again, and it still won't get them in, and by the way, now the UCLA win doesn't look so good since they are crap now. They not only will not make the Tournament, but now they will probably fold and lose out for the rest of the season.

Remaining Schedule:
Purdue at home, Wisconsin and Minnesota on the road

Final Record:
7-11
NIT

Northwestern

Northwestern is 4 late game meltdowns away from being a possible NCAA team. They gave away games to Illinois, Iowa, Purdue and Michigan and now they need to finish at least 2-2 to hope to get into the NIT. In their defense, the have the worst athletic ability of anyone in the Big Ten, and they have still one some big games and weren't the doormat that they usually have been. It will be fun to see how good they can be next year. God, would I love for them to play spoiler for Ohio State in their last game!

Remaining Schedule:
Iowa at home, Indiana, Purdue, and Ohio State on the road.

Final Record:
7-11
CBI

Iowa

Iowa like Northwestern needs to win at least 2 games at the end of the year in order to become eligible for any post season Tournament. I know that their is now a 4th tournament, and I'm not sure you have to be .500 to get into that, but who cares. Iowa could also play spoiler for a couple of teams, but it is not likely to happen. Unfortunately I don't see them winning another Big Ten game.

Remaining Schedule:
At Michigan State and Northwestern, Ohio State and Penn State at home.

Final Record:
4-14
No Tournament

Indiana

Well Iowa ruined our hopes of Indiana's unperfect Big Ten season, but we can all still revel in the fact that they are one of the worst Division 1 basketball teams in the country. I still think that Tom Crean is a total d-bag for getting into a pissing match with Mike Davis. Many people think that because he is getting a good recruiting class next year, Indiana will be back. Well I hate to break it to you, but all of the teams that are above the Loosiers are led by Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors!! Purdue, Illinois, Minnesota, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Iowa will have almost all of their talent coming back. Also because they will have more talent next year, teams won't take them so lightly. At best, they will be this years Minnesota, but the Big Ten will be much better next year. They will try to steal another win this season, but it won't happen.

Remaining Schedule:
Northwestern and Michigan State at home, Penn State and Wisconsin on the road.

Final Record:
1-17
Nothing

So here is my final standings for the Big Ten

1) Michigan State 14-4 (#2 seed)
2) Illinois 13-5 (#4 seed)
3) Purdue 13-5 (# 5 seed)
4) Wisconsin 11-7 (out)
5) Penn State 11-7 (#7 seed)
6) Ohio State 9-9 (#9 seed)
7) Minnesota 9-9 (#10 seed)
8) Michigan 7-11
9) Northwestern 7-11
10) Iowa 4-14
11) Indiana 1-17