In today's big game, Purdue won at Wisconsin. It looks like Purdue will run away with the Big Ten regular season title again. They are only a game ahead of Illinois in the loss column and still have to go to Champaign but if Purdue plays like they did today they should win and Illinois lost at home to Maryland this year. Besides, Purdue only loses to bad teams.

The last time I did my Schmolik 64, I had six Big Ten teams, Purdue, Wisconsin, Illinois, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan State. In the most recent Bracket Matrix, these six are near unanimous choices and no other Big Ten team was selected on any of the 85 brackets listed. Nebraska has never won an NCAA Tournament game. Both Nebraska and Northwestern have very poor non conference schedules so they need to avoid getting close to bubble status. Both of them have beaten Purdue though (Nebraska also beat Wisconsin, Northwestern also beat Illinois). Northwestern has one of the worst losses of the season, a home loss to Chicago State.

Can Wisconsin or Illinois get a decent enough seed to make a deep run? Illinois hasn't made the Sweet 16 since 2005!

Michigan State can play Purdue in the QFs?

(03-11-2024 10:16 AM)schmolik Wrote:  Michigan State can play Purdue in the QFs?

Yeah, MSU currently has no buisness in the NCAA Tournament unless they beat Purdue.

So, the BIG has Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska, and Northwestern locked in.

The conference will get a fith, maybe 6th, but I like 5 teams this year. Iowa, MSU, tOSU, and Wisconsin, who do you like?

Wisconsin will get in. Michigan State's NET is so high I can't imagine they won't get in. I have Iowa in although very few Bracket Matrix brackets have them in. I have them in because they beat Seton Hall and Seton Hall is a likely in team. It seems unfair that Seton Hall can be in and Iowa out.

Purdue guard, Braden Smith exits with a knee injury. I think he was actually able to put weight on it? But now is not the time to lose players.

The officials could probably chill out a little bit with the whistle. I don't think MSU is being excessive with their play on Edey.

Buie looking solid with 16 in the first half for Northwestern. Unfortunately, they still trail Wisconsin by 4.

Congratulations to the Fighting Ilini!

It was a very physical game by both teams, but fouls were a bit lopsided. It is what it is.

BTN does a hell of a job with these Thurs/Fri games.

Congratulations to Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois and Nebraska on reaching the semi-finals.

Both games will air on CBS today.

Wisconsin is getting screwed by these officials!

Illinois is playing in the championship! And we're not playing Purdue!

Hey Nebraska, stick to that other sport! Oh wait, never mind!

(03-16-2024 06:04 PM)schmolik Wrote:  Illinois is playing in the championship! And we're not playing Purdue!

Hey Nebraska, stick to that other sport! Oh wait, never mind!

And what exactly is the "signature" sport for Illinois?

This is what I think is going to happen with BIG teams in the tournament first round.

Purdue vs.
Montana St/Grambling
Purdue isn't losing in the first round this year, that's easy.

Prediction
Purdue 91
TBD 57
Final

Michigan State vs.
Mississippi State
These two teams are very even on both offense and defense. I give the edge to the Spartans, simply because they are a touch better on defense.

Prediction:
Michigan State 62
Mississippi State 58

Morehead State vs.
Illinois
Illinois will win this game easily. I will say, Morehead State will put up quite a few points, but the Illini offense will be way too much.

Prediction:
Morehead State 77
Illinois 95

Northwestern vs.
FAU
I like the Wildcats in a very, very competitive game. I can see Northwestern being able to score on the FAU defense. The Northwestern defense will be the deciding factor of the game.

Prediction:
Northwestern 78
FAU 71

Texas A&M vs.
Nebraska
I am hoping that Nebraska can find a way, but I think they fall a little short in the end. The A&M defense will frustrate the Cornhuskers offense and shut them down on the last play of the game to defeat Nebraska.

Prediction:
Texas A&M 73
Nebraska 71

James Madison vs.
Wisconsin
This is the popular 12 vs. 5 upset game. I don't see it AT ALL! Wisconsin will frustrate and keep the JMU offense under their season average. The Badgers will score plenty and send James Madison home early.

Prediction:
James Madison 69
Wisconsin 80

(03-19-2024 12:12 PM)cubucks Wrote:  

That’s fascinating. I didn’t expect the Big 12 to be that much behind the BIG and ACC. Kudos to the BIG women’s teams too, though not as surprised by that.