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Big Ten's opportunity to redeem itself this weekend

DanL53

DanL53

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Sep 12, 2013
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I count the score currently as 5-2 (potentially) versus the world, that's on the big stage of the NCAA Tournament. The NIT included three Big Ten teams. Result so far 2-1.

Overall, a 7-3 record would not strike me as terrible. What has and does stand out from the entire season so far is that the Big Ten didn't get it done in the nonconference, thus earning some really bad seeds, limited invites to the dance, and a very obvious, "show us something" from the college basketball world.

What I've heard, on this board all year, is that the Big Ten is down. I've held my thoughts to myself up until now. I have agreed all along, the Big Ten is down, but I've not thought they are out.

Of course Minnesota, Maryland and Indiana are.

But Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois are not!

This post is already nearly at it's expiration point. In a short while Michigan State faces Miami to see of five Big Ten teams make up their share of 32 remaining NCAA Tournament teams.

If Michigan State pulls that win off, then this weekend.

Three Big Ten teams face #1 seeded opponents:

Wisconsin vs Villanova
Northwestern vs Gonzaga
Mich. State vs Kansas (presumably)

The other two matchups hold some significance as well.

Purdue vs Iowa State
Michigan vs #2 Louisville

To the NIT:

Iowa faces TCU and Illinois meets Boise State.

Down? No doubt the Big Ten has been down all year. Out? Not yet. In one weekend the Big Ten has the chance to replace three #1 seeds and a #2 seed in the NCAA. Seven teams total, counting Michigan State's required two wins to do it, have a chance to still be standing by Monday.

This is the moment, this weekend, when all the rounds before the last one are settled. The Big Ten was losing this fight all season, but it isn't over yet.
 
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Minnesota and Maryland both lost as higher seeds. Do you honestly think there a chance against the #1 seeds? I have a feeling Purdue may be the only Big10 left in the NCAA. We'll see....
 
paladinhawk said:
Minnesota and Maryland both lost as higher seeds. Do you honestly think there a chance against the #1 seeds? I have a feeling Purdue may be the only Big10 left in the NCAA. We'll see....
Click to expand...
Wisconsin and MSU always have a chance. Will they win? Doubtful, but it's not like they're a 16 seed either.

My pool has Miami beating MSU. But with Wisconsin and MSU in the NCAA, anything is possible.
 
paladinhawk said:
Minnesota and Maryland both lost as higher seeds. Do you honestly think there a chance against the #1 seeds? I have a feeling Purdue may be the only Big10 left in the NCAA. We'll see....
Click to expand...

I am saying what the title of my post said. There is an opportunity this weekend for the Big Ten to redeem itself.
 
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The infamous RPI and many OOC losses in marquee matchups doomed the B1G seeding. Hope for better but the B1G could be swept out after this weekend. Still a decent showing given how bad the seeds.
 
MSU is drubbing, drubbing Miami. And I think the BIG shows up bright tomorrow and leaves ESPN and the rest of the experts trying like hell to spin it. It'll be glorious. :D
 
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people seem to have lost their ability to remember stuff.
every single year in basketball and football, there are people who say the Big Ten is down.
I can only assume they hear this on ESPN and like a monkey, they repeat it.

this coming football season they will again say "the Big Ten is down this year"

so also a year from now during the basketball season they will say "the Big Ten is down this year"

and per usual... people will forget that this is said every single year.

what people won't be saying is.... what data supports this idea that the Big Ten is down?

the world is a cess pool of misinformation and disinformation.
and ESPN is the king of the sports world.
 
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Or, alternatively, the B1G was REALLY young. They were "down" in the nonconfrence, when the young players hadn't figured out the college game. Now they've earned marginal seeds that represent decent, but not great, results. However, these young players throughout the league learned and improved throughout the year. The teams are better than the seeds, but only Wisconsin really deserved a better seed.
 
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MSU was down 11 or so at the half and won big at the end. I didn't watch the game but how? MSU decided to play football like they did to IA at the Big tourney a few years back against Miami?
 
There are no elite teams in the B1G this year, which hurt the conference's rankings. I am glad the Goofers lost, and Mary Land was my only B1G miss in the first round. I think Michigan has a real shot against Louisville (especially if the officiating doesn't allow defensive mugging), and I think the ISU/Purdue game could go either way. I picked against MSU and NW in the second round. I don't give the Mildcats much of a shot against the Zags, but MSU is putting it together and has a decent shot against Kansas. I almost forgot Wisky, which got screwed by the committee as an 8 facing the top seed in the second round. Wisky should have been a 6 or 7 seed IMO. If Happ can pull out of his funk tomorrow, they could cause problems for Villanova.

IU crapped the bed this year, and that hurt the conference's standing, although I think they beat Kansas and NC early. Losing OG and the white forward who did a lot of dirty work (name?) really hurt them, especially on the defensive end. The Hawks weren't even a top 100 team for the first 10 games, but I think they are a top 40-50 caliber team now... The conference looks really strong next year, especially if Izzo can somehow keep Bridges around for another year.
 
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aristotleiowa said:
MSU is drubbing, drubbing Miami. And I think the BIG shows up bright tomorrow and leaves ESPN and the rest of the experts trying like hell to spin it. It'll be glorious. :D
Click to expand...

on my way back from Lawrence, Kansas yesterday was listening to KC radio that basically was all Rock Chalk talk...they were bashing MichSt saying they didnt belong in the tournament and would get killed by Miami..I said to my grandsons if Izzo & Sparty's were getting that from the media..they would kill Miami...didnt start that way but wow..

the other thing is (course this is Big12 country) no respect for the B1G..they predicted no B1G team would make it out of the first weekend...

on Alford to Indiana ... one guy claimed it was a done deal...Agent to Indiana...
couple things...Alford got a high ranked player from Indiana to go to UCLA (Crean did very poor with Indiana kids)...Indiana is banking on Alford bringing the best of the best back to Bloomington.

Indiana is also wanting to amend the Knight feelings and think Alford is the one guy that can do that..look for Bobby the Nut to be adorned in the middle of the floor.

the fact that Bryce is a senior makes the timing of the move ...a good time.
 
Why in the world would Alford leave ucla right now? With the ball family, he pretty much has it made.
 
luvmyhawks said:
Why in the world would Alford leave ucla right now? With the ball family, he pretty much has it made.
Click to expand...

The Ball family with basketball skills... or the Ball family with Papa Ball looking over your shoulder and telling you how things should be done??

Big decision for Alford.
 
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Big Ten's RPI ratings killed their seeds, which could leave them looking like bad league after this weekend.....if they were matched vs 3 three seeds rather than 3 one seeds would make all the diff. Young league that improved thru the season... but will take their lumps in the tourny. Next years ...much better..but will always struggle to match the super powers full of one year players like Duke,KU, UK, UNC. Hope for upsets this weekend...but not expecting much, could be a Big Ten bloodbath that the media will overplay.
 
hawkjt said:
Big Ten's RPI ratings killed their seeds, which could leave them looking like bad league after this weekend.....if they were matched vs 3 three seeds rather than 3 one seeds would make all the diff. Young league that improved thru the season... but will take their lumps in the tourny. Next years ...much better..but will always struggle to match the super powers full of one year players like Duke,KU, UK, UNC. Hope for upsets this weekend...but not expecting much, could be a Big Ten bloodbath that the media will overplay.
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Or what an opportunity to make the conference once again look like it was underrated, knock off 3- #1 seeds. Now that would be something. I'm not expecting this, the poor non con record was I'm certain due to all the youth this year and they have improved a lot during the course of the year, but likely not enough to take down 3- #1's , but it would make a good story.
 
mrcyfan said:
The Ball family with basketball skills... or the Ball family with Papa Ball looking over your shoulder and telling you how things should be done??

Big decision for Alford.
Click to expand...

Good point. However, he was just on the hot seat. Letting daddy ball call the shots while you collect a nice paycheck with job security, for a mediocre coach, not such a bad gig. Better than getting run out of your alumni where you are reveled in as a player. You are right, big decision for Alford.

Is Indiana interested in him?
 
luvmyhawks said:
Good point. However, he was just on the hot seat. Letting daddy ball call the shots while you collect a nice paycheck with job security, for a mediocre coach, not such a bad gig. Better than getting run out of your alumni where you are reveled in as a player. You are right, big decision for Alford.

Is Indiana interested in him?
Click to expand...

there is no way Steve Alford would let anyone call the shots...Papa Bell or otherwise. If Indiana offers (which I think they will)...the legend returns.
 
hawk-i bob said:
on my way back from Lawrence, Kansas yesterday was listening to KC radio that basically was all Rock Chalk talk...they were bashing MichSt saying they didnt belong in the tournament and would get killed by Miami..I said to my grandsons if Izzo & Sparty's were getting that from the media..they would kill Miami...didnt start that way but wow..

the other thing is (course this is Big12 country) no respect for the B1G..they predicted no B1G team would make it out of the first weekend...

on Alford to Indiana ... one guy claimed it was a done deal...Agent to Indiana...
couple things...Alford got a high ranked player from Indiana to go to UCLA (Crean did very poor with Indiana kids)...Indiana is banking on Alford bringing the best of the best back to Bloomington.

Indiana is also wanting to amend the Knight feelings and think Alford is the one guy that can do that..look for Bobby the Nut to be adorned in the middle of the floor.

the fact that Bryce is a senior makes the timing of the move ...a good time.
Click to expand...
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2289
 
It's never over 'til its over. But we still need a couple more wins at least to settle the matter, imo.
 
One more and I think the Big Ten has answered the worst of the critics.
 
Great freaking call ---- Dan Is the man!!!!

We are now like 5-1 against the power 5/6 with all these crappy seeds!!!!
 
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And1Hawk said:
Great freaking call ---- Dan Is the man!!!!

We are now like 5-1 against the power 5/6 with all these crappy seeds!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks but I didn't predict anything, just thought that this weekend was the Big Ten's chance to redeem itself. If anything, the nonconference gets too much weight in deciding who is good in March.
 
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We have already doubled our seeding in the sweet sixteen. Only one team was seeded 4 or higher.
 
And there's another win by the Big 10 over a higher seeded team as Michigan beats Louisville.

 
hawk-i bob said:
Silence is Golden....no one...no one can judge a conference is down in December...no one.

Teams evolve & teams improve.
Click to expand...

Luving this Bob and once again Dan....nice way to start this thread and to waking too many folks up. And to think our young Hawks beat both UM and PU during the season....and I should throw in ISU as well.....just saying.

We are still hooping it up too.....let's go Hawks...it's tournament time, represent today and just keep playing ball.
 
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