The midweek slate of games added credibility to the best teams in Big Ten men’s basketball. Midweek games also showed that Michigan State is not one of the big dogs anymore. Minnesota and Ohio State are not viewed in the same tier as the top teams , but they proved on any given day they have what it takes to get a big win.
Here are the scores and the rest of my analysis from Wednesday and Thursday in Big Ten basketball:
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Here is my recap from Wednesday night:
Minnesota 76-73 vs No. 10 Michigan State
The Minnesota Gophers ended their 7-game losing streak in dramatic fashion with an upset over the Michigan State Spartans. Jeremy Fears was more regnzide for what he did after the whistle than his star production. Jeremy Fears Jr. was clearly frustrated, as was the entire Spartans team. The Gophers got the best of the Spartans all night long and were even up by double digits in the fourth quarter. The Gophers got zero production from their bench, but it still didn’t matter. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson led the way with his 22 points. Crocker-Johnson was also key to the Gophers efficent 47.6% shooting from 3 as he was 4-8 beyond the arc. What a great win for the Gophers and a very concerning loss for the Spartans for many reasons other than just their off night.
No. 5 Illinois 84-44 vs Northwestern
Illinois proved they are the 5th best team in the country, blowing out a frisky Northwestern Wildcats basketball team by 40 points. Albeit the Fighting Illini had 11 turnovers in this game, that was the only category in which the Wildcats were the better team. The Fighting Illini nearly could not miss from 3, having an efficient 17-37 night from 3 as a team, and they shot 48.3% percent from the field. That is exactly where this game got away from the Wildcats, as they could not buy a bucket. It also did not help that there was a clear difference in rebounding, as the Fighting Illini outrebounded the Wildcats 48-20. Illinois keeps rolling, and they look just as good as any team in the country.
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Iowa 84-74 vs Washington
Huskies came into this game with a little bit of momentum after win vs Northwestern and that momentum carried into the first half. The Huskies were 6-8 from 3 and nearly 80% from the field. The Hawkeyes were right behind them, keeping up with a nice shooting start themselves. Unfortunately for the Huskies, the better shooting team prevailed. Bennett Stirtz did what he has done all season long, getting hot behind the arc and shooting efficiently from the field. Alvaro Folgueiras was also very productive in this game, posting 16 points off the bench. Iowa’s shooting ability proved once again to be critical as they came from behind and got a big win over the Huskies. The Hawkeyes now move to a 5-game win streak.
Here is my recap from Thursday night:
No. 2 Michigan 110-69 vs Penn State
Guard Nimari Burnett had himself a career night, as he put up 31 points, and shot 7-10 from behind the arc and 11-16 from the field. Penn State was outmatched in just every aspect of this basketball game, and that led to a lopsided victory for Michigan by 41 points. Michigan, in this game, got back to their old ways of dominating their opponents, just like they did earlier to start the season, to maintain their reputation as the #2 best team in the country. The Wolverines are now off to their best start in program history in the span of 22 games, giving great hope that this year will be one that ends with a banner hanging.
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Ohio State 82-62 vs Maryland
At times in this game, it looked like the Terrapins had the offensive talent to match up well with the Buckeyes. Unfortunately, not even time to pull off a victory. Instead, the Terrapins collapsed in this game, leaving their head coach distraught and falling to his knees. 16 turnovers will do that to you. The Terrapins gave this game away to the Buckeyes and Buzz Williams reaction to a turnover in this game has been the same reaction fans have had with this team. The Terrapins move to 8-14 on the season and the Buckeyes get a much needed win to stay a float.
Overview
The past two days in the Big Ten have delivered multiple historic blowouts and one upset that could prove to have a big effect on the rest of the season for the Spartans. Illinois and Michigan prove they are the two best teams not only in the Big Ten but also in the country. While the Spartans lose a ton of credibility falling to Minnesota, a team on a 67-game losing streak.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Biggest winners and losers for February 5 in Big Ten men’s hoops
