For more on the Purdue Boilermakers, check out Hammer and Rails. For more on the Indiana Hoosiers, check out The Crimson Quarry. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NCAA Basketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.
Jan 15, 2012 - This weekend was a wild one for the Big Ten, as several of the top teams fell in major upsets. Northwestern upset Michigan State for a critical win that might be the difference in an NCAA Tournament bid and the NIT. Iowa stunned Michigan to show that the Hawkeyes may not be an NCAA team, but they will be a difficult out the rest of the way. Ohio State's thumping of Indiana dealt the once hot Hoosiers a second straight conference loss, while Minnesota's win at Penn State dragged the Golden Gophers back into the race.
So far, there is no clear favorite in the race as Illinois and Michigan State are atop the conference at 4-1. Ohio State and Michigan sit a half game back at 4-2, while Purdue is a full game behind at 3-2 and lamenting missed opportunities against Penn State and Wisconsin. Indiana, Wisconsin, and surprising Iowa are 3-3, with Northwestern just behind them at 2-3. Minnesota is now 2-4 after an 0-4 start and appears to becoming around, with Penn State and Nebraska sitting at 1-5. Nebraska's only win was over Penn State, but Penn State's only win was a 20-point shocker over Purdue.
In terms of the NCAA Tournament it looks as if eight bids are a real possibility for the league. Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana can be considered locks at this point. Wisconsin and Purdue appear to be solid as long as they go .500 or better in league play. Minnesota's win at Indiana and Northwestern's win over Michigan State were huge for those to team's profiles. Iowa is 11-8 overall with several ugly non-conference losses, but the Hawkeyes could get in the discussion if they continue to pull off impressive Big Ten wins.
In-state, the Boilermakers and Hoosiers face critical weeks this week. Purdue hosts Iowa, and the Boilers already have a road win over the Hawkeyes. Purdue then plays at Michigan State on Saturday in a game that could have first place on the line. Indiana gets a break with a trip to Nebraska and a home game against Penn State.
For more on the Purdue Boilermakers, check out Hammer and Rails. For more on the Indiana Hoosiers, check out The Crimson Quarry. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NCAA Basketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.
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