Northwestern (16-7, 7-5; NET: 52, SOS: 61):Northwestern’s win at Wisconsin Sunday night was a classic of the “we know you’ve watched an unhealthy amount of college basketball this weekend, but here’s another random mid-table Big Ten game to help you fight off those Sunday scaries for a little while longer” genre. Rage, rage against the dying of the weekend! Was this a good game of basketball? Not remotely! But it was a game of basketball, and so we had it on the TV while we did chores and collected a weekend’s worth of small children’s toy detritus up off the floor. Literally anything would do. Of course, NU fans won’t be too bothered by the aesthetics; they needed a win after Thursday’s 17-point home loss to Michigan, and they need to seize on this week’s opportunities (at a reeling but still NET-relevant Ohio State, home against Purdue) to stay on the right side of the bubble at this early date.
THE ATHLETIC, NU, THE BUBBLE
- Thread starter Fcmchi1
- Start date
It would be interesting if NU completely flipped their strategy of doubling the post always when facing the national player of the year, in the post.
Physically, Big Matt might the best matchup for Edey in the conference. Edey might destroy him, but it's worth seeing how Big Matt handles him.
Purdue has undoubtedly had the easiest schedule so far. 6 of their 11 wins are against Penn State, Minnesota and Nebraska. They have losses against the next two best teams, Rutgers and IU. Of the other 5 wins, one was by 2 points at OSU that the Bucknuts choked away, one was by 1 point at MSU, one was by 3 points at home against a Maryland team that is terrible on the road, leaving their best win as a toss up between a 5 point win at Michigan or their evisceration of MSU at home.
It may turn out that Purdue is far and away the best in the conference but I'm not convinced yet.
It may turn out that Purdue is far and away the best in the conference but I'm not convinced yet.
Purdue made their rep by soundly beating West Virginia, Gonzaga and Duke at a tourney in November. They also beat Marquette. So their ranking is justified, but it's true their Big Ten schedule hasn't been daunting.
If I'm reading you right, you're saying that Cappy sucks all the fun out of the board, but also posts useful analysis from time to time? Seems harsh.