B10 may not even have a single team make it to the Sweet 16 this year.

[archmage2002]

Illini rolling over and not even trying against Loyola. That leaves Wisconsin to take on Baylor, Rutgers vs Houston, Michigan vs LSU, Maryland vs Alabama and Iowa vs Oregon.

Wisconsin has to play perfect to beat Baylor so most likely a loss, Rutgers has to play lights out to beat a great Houston team, Michigan is lacking depth and LSU is the type of team that can take it to them, Maryland has a huge hill to climb vs Alabama.

That leaves Iowa who has the easiest path to the Sweet 16 from the remaining teams. Problem is, Oregon has a bunch of bouncy athletes that can get hot from 3 and shoot lights out. That is actually a problem though for Iowa, historically Iowa gets torched by teams like this and especially in this situation.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

Maybe the physical play in the B1G doesn't translate....

 

[StormHawk42]

I swear to God if Wisconsin gets to the Sweet 16 and we don’t...

 

[meatloaf55]

I, for one, am enjoying this early exit for illinois

 

[IAFB2021Champs]

BIG perhaps a bit overrated!?!
I also think the sh!t officiating during the big ten season hurts most of these teams when it comes to tournament time. They don’t get away with the hacking and physicality.

 

[MAXIMUSHAWKEYE]

I despise the illini. I'm glad they lost. Still, disappointing for the big.

 

[Steve Waite]

All the Illinois fans talking shit all year long! Bye Bye losers! Ayo POY not!

 

[Chewback]

I don't know about Illinois rolling over, I think they just ran into a much better team. Loyola is damn good.

 

[BioHawk]

When Big 10 teams aren't allowed to foul everyone all over the court they don't have the stingy defenses that we see in the regular season.

 

[Buffalo43]

I have a good feeling about Wisconsin today

And Michigan

 

[silasstarr]

Maybe the physical play in the B1G doesn't translate....

It could just be one of those years and it’s just bad luck. Who knows.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Rutgers is going to beat Houston but Covid is going to beat all of us.

 

[rufus-hawk]

No excuses for B1G. Got great seeds and so far not doing what they should with them. EVERY team entering the tournament has to be aware of how many damn good teams there are — and be READY.

Loyola-IL is good and the Illini frankly didn’t seem to be taking their deficit in the game all that seriously. Ayo’s 2 late turnovers are a prime example. Just lazy basketball vs. tourney-level intensity. The other B1G teams better realize they need to ignore the hype.

 

[archmage2002]

The Illini rolled over. They didn't come ready to play at all and ran into a team that was playing with intensity. They were incredible lackadaisical on defense for 75% of the game and allowed Loyola to dictate the tempo. They tried playing Loyola's game and it cost them.

 

[CookyMonster]

Hopefully Luka starts making lay ups again. Love that the 3 is back.

 

[Roy L Fuchs]

Looking more and more like we’re just an average team in an average conference.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

I despise the illini. I'm glad they lost. Still, disappointing for the big.

Worth it

 

[IAHawk2011]

It’s almost like allowing teams to bludgeon the **** out of each other for 2.5 months, and then asking them to play a completely different style of basketball in the tournament, isn’t conducive to sustained success. Who could have guessed?

 

[Michael1969]

What happened to Illinois isn't totally a reflection of the conference. First, Loyola totally outplayed them. However, regardless who they've had for a coach, Illinois has always had a tendency to play lazy, as if they think the opposing team is eventually going to lay down for them and hand the game to them. It's almost a sense of arrogance. But Loyola kept taking it to them. One thing about an Iowa team, win or lose, there's a constant team effort.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

I have a good feeling about Wisconsin today

And Michigan

Wisconsin has the best chance to make the sweet 16 out of all of the B1G teams imo.

Rutgers might have the next best shot.

I’m really leaning on going big on LSU.

 

[littlez]

Wisconsin has the best chance to make the sweet 16 out of all of the B1G teams imo.

Rutgers might have the next best shot.

I’m really leaning on going big on LSU.

Couldn’t disagree more.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Couldn’t disagree more.

Not only that. If Wis gets by Baylor they could slide right in to the Final 4.

 

[fezzador]

Good chance Iowa is the last B1G team standing.

 

[Michael1969]

With all of the close games in the tournament, it's hard saying how this is going to turn out. Might have better luck choosing who advances the furthest by using a dart board.

 

[desihawk]

Good chance Iowa is the last B1G team standing.

maryland plays after us tomorrow

 

[Fsanford]

Wisconsin has the best chance to make the sweet 16 out of all of the B1G teams imo.

Rutgers might have the next best shot.

I’m really leaning on going big on LSU.

I got Rutgers today on the Moneyline at +290, thought that was some really great value.

 

[skydog0784]

Iowa is winning tomorrow. Sweet 16 for sure, likely Elite 8.

 

[littlez]

Rutgers squeaked by a terrible Clemson team from the only major conference doing worse than the B1G. Houston plays great defense. Rutgers is not winning.

 

[RocknRollface]

BIG perhaps a bit overrated!?!
I also think the sh!t officiating during the big ten season hurts most of these teams when it comes to tournament time. They don’t get away with the hacking and physicality.

They are getting away with it.

Big ten teams are not getting called for more fouls than normal.

Its not happening.

 

[RocknRollface]

When Big 10 teams aren't allowed to foul everyone all over the court they don't have the stingy defenses that we see in the regular season.

Thats absolutely not whats happening.

Loyola was the more physical team.

The reffs were not calling many fouls on Illinois at all.

 

[RocknRollface]

I have a good feeling about Wisconsin today

And Michigan

Michigan will handle their game with ease.

 

[littlez]

Give it up Rock and Roll, these people are not watching the games. You’re absolutely right.

 

[RocknRollface]

Wisconsin has the best chance to make the sweet 16 out of all of the B1G teams imo.

Rutgers might have the next best shot.

I’m really leaning on going big on LSU.

UM will have no problem with Lsu.

 

[BioHawk]

Thats absolutely not whats happening.

Loyola was the more physical team.

The reffs were not calling many fouls on Illinois at all.

They called some fouls early and that forced Illinois to back off a bit on defense. That's not something that would show up in the foul totals. And yes, they definitely missed some fouls, but they still weren't as physical as they have been in other games.

That said, the reason Illinois lost is because Loyola outplayed them all game. It wasn't just a little bit tighter officiating that caused that, it was also really good defense.

 

[RocknRollface]

It’s almost like allowing teams to bludgeon the **** out of each other for 2.5 months, and then asking them to play a completely different style of basketball in the tournament, isn’t conducive to sustained success. Who could have guessed?

What makes it a different style?

Illinois just got out physicaled in a low scoring game.

Wisconsin is losing a low scoring physical game to Baylor.

Purdue game was very physical.

 

[RocknRollface]

They called some fouls early and that forced Illinois to back off a bit on defense. That's not something that would show up in the foul totals. And yes, they definitely missed some fouls, but they still weren't as physical as they have been in other games.

That said, the reason Illinois lost is because Loyola outplayed them all game. It wasn't just a little bit tighter officiating that caused that, it was also really good defense.

No way.

Loyal was extremely physical all game and Illinois was doing plenty of hand checking.

 

[BioHawk]

No way.

Loyal was extremely physical all game and Illinois was doing plenty of hand checking.

You are completely missing my point and getting a bit defensive over it. Whatever, it doesn't matter anyway.

 

[RocknRollface]

What happened to Illinois isn't totally a reflection of the conference. First, Loyola totally outplayed them. However, regardless who they've had for a coach, Illinois has always had a tendency to play lazy, as if they think the opposing team is eventually going to lay down for them and hand the game to them. It's almost a sense of arrogance. But Loyola kept taking it to them. One thing about an Iowa team, win or lose, there's a constant team effort.

Illinois lost to a few lesser teams this year by being sloppy with the ball and had one amazing win against a better Michigan team.

Cockburn is terrible dealing with doubles.

It pisses me off that Fran didn't sell out to double him.

 

[RocknRollface]

You are completely missing my point and getting a bit defensive over it. Whatever, it doesn't matter anyway.

I meant to bold the first part, I agree with the second part.

I just find this "big ten officiating" narrative that every one convinced themselves of 2 weeks ago to be silly.

People keep repeating it regardless of whats actually happening in the games. Theres no evidence of it.

Big teams are getting beat at their own style.