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Seriously, isn’t the Big Ten fun?

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NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
Rutgers is just dominating Wisconsin in Jersey. Just because.

Michigan State hosts Illinois next.

I realize that we get obsessed with March and hopefully April, but there’s something about the grind of these pretty-familiar teams just straight going at it twice a week.

We’ll lose something with the expansion. I hope the conference errs on the side of opponent familiarity and protected rivalries, over time, in scheduling.
 
AdamOnFirst

AdamOnFirst

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
9,723
1,368
113
Counterpoint: the additions are going to be awesome for basketball. Getting UCLA in the conference is going to be really exciting.
 
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NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
AdamOnFirst said:
Counterpoint: the additions are going to be awesome for basketball. Getting UCLA in the conference is going to be really exciting.
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Yeah, getting UCLA is exciting. But I think much of the fun is the familiarity.

We got to see Boo and Berry make their Tominaga gestures. The Illinois game was more satisfying *because* it was coming off that blowout. And everything about the Purdue game was even more fun because of the “can they do it again?” element.

I just hope there’s a way to keep some consistency. Pods of four and five with protected home and away.

But mostly, it’s fun because every damn game is a battle.
 
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olsh

Sophomore
Oct 6, 2001
3,555
164
63
Rutgers is significantly better than early in the season. Shows you that the order you play teams is just as important as who you play.

Rutgers will be even better next season, with 2 of the top 4 2024 HS grads in the country.
 
SmellyCat

SmellyCat

Junior
May 29, 2001
7,290
340
83
So I guess Rutgers is pretty good at home. Let's see, who do they have next there?

Oh.
 
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ohiovalleycat

Redshirt
Oct 7, 2007
767
3
13
AdamOnFirst said:
Nobody but Purdue in this damn league can win on the road. Nobody!
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I still think Wisky was overrated. They may be a top Top 25, but not Elite were they've been hovering in the Top 10. Then again, maybe Wisconsin being rated in the Top 10 for several weeks is a sign of parity nationally.
 
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TejasCat

Sophomore
Apr 5, 2010
3,032
124
63
We are catching Penn St and Rutgers on 3 game winning streaks. Jeremiah Williams looks like a solid player, and they shot 3 ball well vs bucky.
 
AdamOnFirst

AdamOnFirst

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
9,723
1,368
113
ohiovalleycat said:
I still think Wisky was overrated. They may be a top Top 25, but not Elite were they've been hovering in the Top 10. Then again, maybe Wisconsin being rated in the Top 10 for several weeks is a sign of parity nationally.
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KenPom has never had them out of the teens and they tumbled down to 18 today, so the analytics generally agree they’re very good but not really elite.
 
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CSCatFan1

Senior
Dec 4, 2002
39,976
462
83
NUCat320 said:
Rutgers is just dominating Wisconsin in Jersey. Just because.

Michigan State hosts Illinois next.

I realize that we get obsessed with March and hopefully April, but there’s something about the grind of these pretty-familiar teams just straight going at it twice a week.

We’ll lose something with the expansion. I hope the conference errs on the side of opponent familiarity and protected rivalries, over time, in scheduling.
Click to expand...

I have a hard time figuring who to root for in these games.
 
P

PurpleWhiteBoy

Redshirt
Feb 25, 2021
5,303
0
0
Catreporter said:
This is what you fear the most: a losing streak that can get in a tean's head. It started when Wisky blew a 19-point second half lead at Nebraska.
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One thing that got in Wisconsin's head was Omoruyi blocking 8 shots, with 13 rebounds and 13 points.
Not to mention the Scarlet Knights going 10 of 17 from 3.
 
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techtim72

Senior
May 10, 2010
6,981
521
113
UCLA has the ability to lift the play of the Big Ten if they continue to attract elite athletes. I don't think they will dominate - although they can be super tough given their recruiting area - but the year NU played them it was like playing a team of super tall greyhounds.
 
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freewillie07

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2017
5,240
100
48
CoralSpringsCat said:
I have a hard time figuring who to root for in these games.
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Just root for NU. All you really can do.

Was pretty clear it was another year of great parity. A lot of 10-10 records at the end of the season. NU is well-positioned to be slightly above the fray.
 
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CSCatFan1

Senior
Dec 4, 2002
39,976
462
83
freewillie07 said:
Just root for NU. All you really can do.

Was pretty clear it was another year of great parity. A lot of 10-10 records at the end of the season. NU is well-positioned to be slightly above the fray.
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Rooting for Purdue and Dayton. And Chicago State of course.
 
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Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,193
2,680
67
The transitive property has no place in Big Ten hoops. I have never seen an entity as hostile to transitivity as our conference.
 
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olsh

Sophomore
Oct 6, 2001
3,555
164
63
ohiovalleycat said:
I still think Wisky was overrated. They may be a top Top 25, but not Elite were they've been hovering in the Top 10. Then again, maybe Wisconsin being rated in the Top 10 for several weeks is a sign of parity nationally.
Click to expand...
Absolutely parity nationally.
 
TheC

TheC

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
19,111
1,179
62
Not just the BIG. Top 10 teams are below .500 in conference road games nationally. It is incredible this year.
 
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