The Big Ten has an incredible slate of games on Saturday. There are eight games total, including a crucial game in Bloomington and four ranked teams on the road. Fans should expect a wild afternoon and evening.
Let’s take a look at the calendar.
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-Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Indiana Hoosiers
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Time/TV: 2:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
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KenPom spread: Indiana by 1
Perhaps no team in the Big Ten has had a more disappointing start to the year than Iowa. After getting off to a 12-2 start, Iowa has fallen on its face in recent weeks, losing three games in a row, including a blowout loss to Minnesota on Jan. 6. The losses have many wondering if Iowa belongs in the top tier of the league or is in for a dramatic Selection Sunday.
And that sets up a major opportunity Saturday, when Iowa heads east to take on Indiana in a crucial game for both teams. Indiana also struggled in January and is coming off a two-game skid, including a painful loss to Nebraska last weekend, when it looked like the Hoosiers were in position to win. Both teams are still comfortably in the NCAA Tournament projections, but this result will go a long way toward achieving their goals.
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The game itself will likely depend on how Iowa defends Lamar Wilkerson and Tucker DeVries on the wing. The two Hoosiers have carried Indiana offensively so far this season and the team’s hopes live and die (largely) with them. When you’re out, the offense tends to stagnate. Iowa’s wing group with Tavion Banks and Cooper Koch will have their work cut out for them.
Another area to watch is how teams play down low. Neither team is particularly successful there, although Iowa presents itself as a more balanced unit. If someone like Cam Manyawu could take advantage, it could easily determine the outcome. This is a place where certain actors can shine.
All things considered, this seems as uniform as possible. The KenPom spread is only one point and that seems fair. Whoever heats up from deep is going to win this thing and Iowa seems due.
-Minnesota Golden Gophers at No. 13 Illinois Fighting Illini
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Time/TV: 12:00 p.m. ET (BTN)
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KenPom spread: Illinois at 16
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It’s weird talking about a team ranked in the top five nationally by KenPom, but Illinois enters late January playing under the radar. Although Illinois has been good (and great at times), it has failed to capitalize on its biggest opportunities so far this season, leaving its resume feeling empty despite going 14-3.
However, Illinois has been gaining momentum and appears poised to break through. Standing in his way is an inconsistent Gopher team that has swung wildly so far this season. At times, Minnesota played like an NCAA group. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened often enough for Nik Medved and his team, and that’s certainly true on the road, where Minnesota has just one double this season.
The game will likely depend on how Illinois defends Cade Tyson. He’s a big part of Minnesota’s offense. If Illinois can contain him, a victory is likely. Keep an eye on Adrej Stojakovic and Keaton Wagler. This is a great opportunity for both of them.
-UCLA Bruins vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Time/TV: 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
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KenPom spread: Ohio State by 3
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This could have easily been the game of the day as well, considering it pits two evenly matched teams in Columbus. UCLA is coming off a night win over Penn State on Wednesday and Ohio State is trying to bounce back from a loss at Washington on Sunday. It’s probably more important for the Bucks to win given how things are shaping up, but it’s valuable for both sides.
The matchup itself will likely hinge on the backcourt, where Donovan Dent will face Bruce Thornton. Both are playing at an All-Big Ten level, so there should be some fireworks. The local court suggests that Ohio State should be the choice here.
-Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Wisconsin Badgers
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Time/TV: 2:00 p.m. ET (BTN)
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KenPom spread: Wisconsin at 15
This presents itself as a massive mismatch, at least on paper. Rutgers enters at No. 156 nationally on KenPom, while Wisconsin is in the top 40 and is coming off three massive wins. If the Scarlet Knights want to make things competitive, it will take epic performances from Tariq Francis and Kaden Powers. Things will probably also have to be botched. Otherwise, Wisconsin should win.
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-No. 4 Michigan wolverines among Oregon ducks
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Time/TV: 4:00 p.m. ET (NBC)
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KenPom spread: Michigan at 17
The last few weeks have been crazy for the Wolverines. The team opened the year with a dominant win against USC at home, but then followed it up with a close victory against a disappointing Penn State team. Michigan then lost its opener to Wisconsin on Saturday before rebounding against Washington on the road on Wednesday. These are major ups and downs, over just two weeks.
Michigan now takes this show to Oregon, which enters the day reeling. The Ducks are just 8-9 overall and will be without stars Nate Bittle and Jackson Shelstad against the Wolverines. That’s going to make it quite a challenge, considering the two led Oregon in offensive usage and Bittle is arguably the team’s best rebounder. If Oregon wants to stay close, Takai Simpkins and Kwame Evans need to go crazy. Otherwise it might be difficult.
-No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers at Northwest Wildcats
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Time/TV: 4:00 p.m. ET (BTN)
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KenPom spread: Nebraska by 6
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The Huskers enter Saturday as one of the bottom three undefeated, having picked up a massive win over Oregon at home on Tuesday. Northwestern enters a drastically different situation, having lost four straight overall and eight straight to teams ranked in the top 170 on KenPom.
However, there is reason to believe this one could be tight. For starters, Nebraska has been more vulnerable on the road than at home so far this season, needing late-game efforts to hold off Illinois, Ohio State and Indiana thus far. Northwestern is also better than its record, having lost numerous close games to quality competition. A lot will depend on the play of Nick Martinelli and Arrinten Page from the start. If the two can hold on, Northwestern will have a chance to pull off an upset.
-No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers at USC Trojans
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Time/TV: 6:00 p.m. ET (Peacock)
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KenPom spread: Purdue at 7 a.m.
This constitutes one of the biggest mismatches of the day in the Big Ten. Purdue enters the day with eight straight wins, while USC is still looking for a big win. The game itself will depend on USC’s ability to defend a powerhouse attack. Most eyes will be on Chad Baker-Mazara. He’s been a little inconsistent the last month and the Trojans will need him to produce. Fans will also hope for a great environment, like last year against Michigan State. However, the battle promises to be difficult.
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-No. 12 Michigan State Spartans vs. Washington Huskies
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Time/TV: 6:00 p.m. ET (BTN)
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KenPom spread: Michigan State by 5
The Spartans will enter this one trying to keep pace in the Big Ten title race, as Washington continues to look for a marquee victory. The Huskies played decently against Michigan earlier in the week, but came up short. As such, Washington will hope to have better luck against rival Michigan on Saturday night.
The game will be an interesting battle, especially on the boards. Michigan State is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, but Hannes Steinbach is one of the best rebounders in the conference. Can Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper hold up? If that’s the case, Michigan State will likely get the win. Another aspect to watch is how Zoom Diallo and Washington’s offense attacks an elite Spartan defensive unit. It’s hard to see this going well for the Huskies, especially with winger Desmond Claude also missing from the roster.
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Record pick this season: 33-5
