IU's Big Ten Tournament Seeding Possibilities

Okay, folks, I went for it.  I decided to try to map out the potential Big Ten Tournament seeding scenarios for IU given multiple win/loss situations over the last five days of the Big Ten's regular season.    

Currently, IU is 2 games ahead of Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, and Wisconsin, but technically all four of the other teams have a chance to share the Big Ten regular season title with IU.  Here are the current standings for the top five teams, with the remaining games:
1.  Indiana (13-3):  at Iowa; Maryland

2 (tie).  Iowa (11-5):  Indiana; at Michigan

2 (tie).  Maryland (11-5):  Illinois; at Indiana

2 (tie).  Michigan State (11-5):  at Rutgers; Ohio State

2 (tie).  Wisconsin (11-5):  at Minnesota; at Purdue

That's a nice little cluster we have going there.  Technically, IU can be seeded anywhere from 1 to 5, depending on how everything shakes out, in light of the Big Ten tiebreaking rules.  I think I figured out just about all of the possibilities.  Here they are.  And yes, I realize I have a problem.

IU will get the #1 seed if:
1.  IU wins at least one of its remaining two games
2.  IU loses to both Iowa and Maryland, but both Iowa and Maryland lose their other remaining game, and Michigan State and Wisconsin both lose at least one more game.

IU will get the #2 seed if:
1.  IU ties only with Iowa (i.e., IU loses out, Iowa wins out, Maryland loses to Illinois and beats IU, and Michigan State and Wisconsin both lose at least one of their remaining two games)
2.  IU ties only with Maryland (i.e., IU loses out, Maryland wins out, Iowa beats IU and loses to Michigan, and Michigan State and Wisconsin both lose at least one of their remaining two games)
3.  IU ties only with Michigan State (i.e., IU loses out, Iowa beats IU and loses to Michigan, Maryland loses to Illinois and beats IU, and Wisconsin loses one of its two remaining games)
4.  IU ties only with Wisconsin (i.e., IU loses out, Iowa beats IU but loses to Michigan, Maryland loses to Illinois and beats IU, and Michigan State loses at least one of its remaining two games)
5.  IU ties with Iowa and Maryland and Michigan State beats Rutgers and loses to Ohio State, and Wisconsin loses to Minnesota and beats Purdue.
6.  IU ties with Iowa and Wisconsin (i.e., IU loses out, Iowa and Wisconsin win out, Maryland loses to Illinois and beats IU, and Michigan State loses at least one of its remaining two games)

IU will get the #3 seed if:
1.  IU ties with Iowa and Maryland and Michigan State loses both of its remaining games or loses to Rutgers but beats Ohio State, Wisconsin loses both of its remaining games or loses to Purdue but beats Minnesota.
2.  IU ties with Iowa and Michigan State (i.e., IU loses out, Iowa and Michigan State win out, Maryland loses to Illinois and beats IU, and Wisconsin loses at least one of its remaining two games)
3.  IU ties with Maryland and Michigan State (i.e., IU loses out, Maryland and MSU win out, Iowa loses to Michigan, and Wisconsin loses at least one of its remaining games)
4.  IU ties with Maryland and Wisconsin (i.e., IU loses out, Maryland and Wisconsin win out, Iowa loses to Michigan, and Michigan State loses one of its remaining games)
5.  IU ties with Michigan State and Wisconsin (i.e., IU loses out, MSU and Wisconsin win out, Iowa loses to Michigan, and Maryland loses to Illinois)
6.  IU ties with Iowa, Maryland, and Wisconsin (i.e., IU loses out, Iowa, Maryland, and Wisconsin win out, and Michigan State loses one of its remaining two games)

IU will get the #4 seed if:
1.  IU ties with Iowa, Maryland and Michigan State (i.e., IU loses out, Iowa, Maryland, and MSU win out, and Wisconsin loses at least one of its remaining games)
2.  IU ties with Iowa, Michigan State, and Wisconsin (i.e., IU loses out, Iowa, MSU, and Wisconsin win out, and Maryland loses to Illinois)
3.  IU ties with Maryland, Michigan State, and Wisconsin (i.e., IU loses out, Maryland, MSU, and Wisconsin win out, and Iowa loses to Michigan)

IU will get the #5 seed if:
1.  All five teams tie at 13-5 (i.e., IU loses out, and Iowa, Maryland, MSU, and Wisconsin win out)

In sum, please win at least one more game, Hoosiers.  Both would be really nice.

Updated Big Ten Tournament Seeding Predictions and NCAA Tournament Resumes

And there it is, folks.  Thanks to Purdue's home victory over Maryland on Saturday and Ohio State's upset win at home over Iowa yesterday, the Hoosiers clinched a share of their 22nd Big Ten title.  If you would have told me after we were 5-3 and had just been blown out by Duke that we would lose our second-leading scorer for the year before the Big Ten season started and yet still win the Big Ten title, I would have punched you in the crotch, whether you are a male, female, or eunuch.  And today, I would have apologized to you, probably with an Edible Arrangement followed by a stripper gram.  Fuckin' A, Hoosiers!

With one week left in the Big Ten season, much is still up in the air, however.  There are still four teams that have a chance to share the Big Ten title with IU:  Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.

IU clinches the outright Big Ten title if:

1.  IU wins at least one of its remaining two games; or

2.  IU loses to both Iowa and Maryland, but both Iowa and Maryland lose their other remaining game, and Michigan State and Wisconsin both lose at least one more game.

I was going to try to work out all of the various seeding scenarios if IU loses both of its remaining games and ties with one or more of the other four teams at 13-5, but I quickly realized that it would take hours to figure everything out -- maybe tomorrow.  Instead, I'll just give you the seeds if all five teams tie.  If that happens, assuming all of my other predictions would hold true, that would mean that Ohio State and Purdue would tie for 6th place at 11-7, Michigan would be 8th place at 10-8, and Penn State would be 9th place at 8-10, which is important for tie-breaking purposes.

1.  Maryland (3-2 vs. IU, Iowa, MSU, and Wisconsin)

2.  Wisconsin (4-3 vs. IU, Iowa, Maryland, and MSU)

3.  Michigan State (3-3 vs. IU, Iowa, Maryland, and Wisconsin, 2-1 vs. Ohio State and Purdue, 1-0 vs. Michigan, and 2-0 vs. Penn State

4.  Iowa (3-3 vs. IU, Maryland, MSU, and Wisconsin, 2-1 vs. Ohio State and Purdue, 2-0 vs. Michigan, and 1-1 vs. Penn State)

5.  IU (2-4 vs. Iowa, Maryland, MSU, Wisconsin)

Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Next games

The next games are Tuesday.  Here they are (all times Eastern):

-Purdue at Nebraska (8 p.m.; BTN)

-Indiana at Iowa (9 p.m.; ESPN)

Current Standings

Here are the current standings, with the conference record, each team's remaining Big Ten games, and my predictions.  I will try to update these after every day or every couple days of games.

1.  Indiana (13-3):  at Iowa (L); Maryland (W)

2 (tie).  Iowa (11-5):  Indiana (W); at Michigan (L)

2 (tie).  Maryland (11-5):  Illinois (W); at Indiana (L)

2 (tie).  Michigan State (11-5):  at Rutgers (W); Ohio State (W)

2 (tie).  Wisconsin (11-5):  at Minnesota (W); at Purdue (L)

6.  Ohio State (11-6):  at Michigan State (L)

7.  Purdue (10-6):   at Nebraska (W); Wisconsin (W)

8.  Michigan (10-7):  Iowa (W)

9.  Penn State (6-10):  Northwestern (W); Illinois (W)

10.  Nebraska (6-10):  Purdue (L); at Northwestern (L)

11.  Northwestern (6-10):  at Penn State (L); Nebraska (W)

12.  Illinois (5-11):  at Maryland (L); at Penn State (L)

13.  Minnesota (2-14):  Wisconsin (L); at Rutgers (L)

14.  Rutgers (0-16):  Michigan State (L); Minnesota (W)

Projected Big Ten Tournament Seeding

Given my predictions and Big Ten tiebreaking rules, here is how the Big Ten Tournament seeds should fall into place:

1.  Indiana (14-4)

2.  Michigan State (13-5)

3.  Maryland (12-6) (would have tiebreaker over other three teams based on 3-2 record vs. other three teams)

4.  Iowa (12-6) (both Iowa and Purdue would have .500 record vs. other three teams, but would have tiebreaker over Purdue based on better record vs. Indiana)

5.  Purdue (12-6)

6.  Wisconsin (12-6) (would lose tiebreaker vs. other three teams based on 2-3 record vs. other three teams)

7.  Ohio State (11-7) (holds tiebreaker over Michigan based on 1-0 record vs. OSU)

8.  Michigan (11-7)

9.  Penn State (8-10)

10.  Northwestern (7-11)

11.  Nebraska (6-12)

12.  Illinois (5-13)

13.  Minnesota (2-16)

14.  Rutgers (1-17)

Big Ten Tournament Schedule

Here are the dates/times/TV schedule for the Big Ten Tournament (and a link to the bracket), which will be in Indianapolis.  All times are Eastern.

Wednesday March 9 – First Round

(12) vs. (13) (4:30 p.m. ESPN2)

(11) vs. (14) (7 p.m. BTN)

Thursday March 10 – Second Round

(8) vs. (9) (Noon, BTN)

(5) vs. (12)/(13) (2:30 p.m., BTN)

(7) vs. (10) (6:30 p.m., ESPN2)

(6) vs. (11)/(14) (9 p.m., ESPN2)

Friday March 11 – Quarterfinals

(1) vs. (8)/(9) (Noon, ESPN)

(4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13) (2:30 p.m., ESPN)

(2) vs. (7)/(10) (6:30 p.m., BTN)

(3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14) (9 p.m., BTN)

Saturday March 12 – Semifinals

(1)/(8)/(9) vs. (4)/(5)/(12)/(13) (1 p.m., CBS)

(2)/(7)/(10) vs. (3)/(6)/(11)/(14) (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Sunday March 13 – Finals

(1)/(4)/(5)/(8)/(9)/(12)/(13) vs. (2)/(3)/(6)/(7)/(10)/(11)/(14) (3 p.m., CBS)

NCAA Tournament Resumes for All 14 Big Ten Teams

Here is each Big Ten team's NCAA Tournament resume, including each team's RPI (based on ESPN's daily RPI), overall record against D-1 opponents, "good" wins (wins against RPI Top 50 teams or, if none, the team's best win), "bad" losses (losses against teams with an RPI of 101+ or, if none, the team's worst loss).  An * means the game was played on a neutral court, and for the "good" wins and "bad" losses, the team's current RPI is identified.  I have categorized the teams by "In," "Bubble," or "Out," which is my best guess, based on what I know right now, as to whether each team is a lock for the NCAA Tournament, is on the bubble, or is out.  I have also added a record vs. the RPI Top 50 and Top 100.

In

1.  Maryland

RPI:  10

Overall record:  22-6

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  4-4

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  8-5

Good wins:  4 (Purdue (18), Iowa (22), at Wisconsin (32), Princeton* (35))

Bad losses:  1 (at Minnesota (235))

2.  Michigan State

RPI:  12

Overall record:  24-5

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  7-4

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  10-4

Good wins:  7 (Kansas* (1), Maryland (10), Louisville (17), Indiana (27), Wisconsin (32), Providence* (44), Florida (45))

Bad losses:  1 (Nebraska (167))

3.  Purdue

RPI:  18

Overall record:  22-7

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  6-4

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  8-6

Good wins:  6 (Maryland (10), Michigan State (12), at Wisconsin (32), at Pittsburgh (37), Florida* (45), Vanderbilt (48))

Bad losses:  1 (at Illinois (144))

4.  Iowa

RPI:  22

Overall record:  20-8

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  5-6

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  7-7

Good wins:  5 (Michigan State (12), at Michigan State (12), Purdue (18), at Purdue (18), Wichita State* (41))

Bad losses:  1 (at Penn State (105))

5.  Indiana

RPI:  27

Overall record:  23-6

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  4-3

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  8-3

Good wins:  4 (Purdue (18), Iowa (22), Notre Dame* (30), Wisconsin (32))

Bad losses:  3 (at Penn State (105), UNLV* (134), Wake Forest* (135))

6.  Wisconsin

RPI:  32

Overall record:  19-10

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  5-5

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  10-5

Good wins:  5 (at Maryland (10), Michigan State (12), at Iowa (22), Indiana (27), VCU* (46))

Bad losses:  5 (Georgetown* (102), Marquette (111), at Northwestern (117), Milwaukee (165), Western Illinois (253))

Bubble

7.  Michigan

RPI:  57

Overall record:  19-10

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  3-8

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  3-10

Good wins:  3 (Maryland (10), Purdue (18), Texas* (20))

Bad losses:  None (at Ohio State (73))

8.  Ohio State

RPI:  73

Overall record:  19-11

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  2-7

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  3-8

Good wins:  2 (Kentucky* (15), Iowa (22))

Bad losses:  3 (UT-Arlington (101), Louisiana Tech (119), Memphis* (158))

Out

9.  Penn State

RPI:  105

Overall record:  15-14

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  2-7

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  2-11

Good wins:  2 (Iowa (22), Indiana (27))

Bad losses:  3 (Duquesne* (155), at Nebraska (167), Radford (179))

10.  Northwestern

RPI:  117

Overall record:  18-11

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  1-7

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  1-10

Good wins:  1 (Wisconsin (32))

Bad losses:  1 (Penn State (105))

11.  Illinois

RPI:  144

Overall record:  13-16

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  1-9

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  3-13

Good wins:  1 (Purdue (18))

Bad losses:  3 (at Northwestern (117), North Florida* (159), Nebraska (167))

12.  Nebraska

RPI:  167

Overall record:  14-15

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  1-8

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  1-12

Good wins:  1 (at Michigan State (12))

Bad losses:  3 (at Penn State (105), Northwestern (117), Samford (256))

13.  Minnesota

RPI:  235

Overall record:  8-20

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  1-7

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  1-11

Good wins:  1 (Maryland (10))

Bad losses:  9 (at Penn State (105), Northwestern (117), at Northwestern (117), Illinois (144), at Illinois (144), Oklahoma State* (157), Milwaukee (165), at Nebraska (167), South Dakota (192))

14.  Rutgers

RPI:  284

Overall record:  5-23

Record vs. RPI Top 50:  0-7

Record vs. RPI Top 100:  0-13

Good wins:  None (Farleigh Dickinson (229))

Bad losses:  10 (Penn State (105), Clemson* (114), at Northwestern (117), Wake Forest (135), Illinois (144), at Illinois (144), Nebraska (167), at Nebraska (167), at St. John's (222), at Minnesota (235))

Midwestern Eavesdropping

Bowling alley video board: "What is brown and rhymes with snoop? Dr Dre."
--Carmel, IN

Eavesdropper:  Kazda

This next one technically isn't eavesdropping, but it's worthy of inclusion:

--Chicago ABC 7 morning news

Eavesdropper: Apollo Creed

Hair Band Friday - 2/26/16

1.  "Simple Man" by Junkyard


2.  "Two Sides of Love" by Sammy Hagar


3.  "Tragic Comic" by Extreme


4.  "Hungry for Heaven" by Dio


5.  "I Want Action" by Poison


6.  "Desperately" by Slaughter


7.  "Warsong" by White Lion


8.  "Tear It Down" by Def Leppard


9.  "Bad Girl" by Trixter


10.  "Loving You Sunday Morning" by The Scorpions

Updated Big Ten Tournament Seeding Predictions and NCAA Tournament Resumes

Last night, we saw Penn State take down Nebraska, which significantly helps the Nittany Lions' chances of ending the season with a winning record to get a berth in the NIT.  It's adorable, really.

In the other game, my beloved Hoosiers traveled to Champaign to take on the reeling Illini.  IU fell behind 14-4 with about 14 minutes left in the first half.  Over the next 26 minutes of game time, IU outscored Illinois 70-33 to leave the fake Assembly Hall (nka State Farm Center) with a 74-47 victory.  In the second half alone, Yogi Ferrell scored 19 points, which is exactly how many points Illinois scored in the second half.

As a Hoosier fan growing up in the suburbs of Chicago during the "Flying Illini" era, I have a special hatred of Illinois, so it's always nice to sweep the Illini, especially in such spectacular fashion.  In their two games this season, IU hit 32 3s and outscored U of I 177-116.

But more importantly, the win puts the Hoosiers very close to clinching at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title (and prevents any possibility of that insane 7-way tie scenario –- sorry Michigan, Ohio State, and Purdue).  With one more win, the Hoosiers can do no worse than the 2-seed in the Big Ten Tournament.  

Here are the various scenarios under which IU can clinch a share of the title or the outright title:

IU clinches at least a share of the Big Ten title if:

1.  IU wins either of its next two games (at Iowa Tuesday 3/1 and Maryland at home Sunday 3/6); or

2.  Iowa and Maryland lose at least one of their respective remaining games.

IU clinches the outright Big Ten title if:

1.  IU wins its remaining two games;

2.  IU beats Iowa, loses to Maryland, and Maryland loses either at Purdue this Saturday or to Illinois next Thursday;

3.  IU beats Maryland, loses to Iowa, and Iowa loses either at Ohio State this Sunday or at Michigan Saturday 3/5; or

4.  IU loses to both Iowa and Maryland, but both Iowa and Maryland lose their other two remaining games, and Michigan State and Wisconsin both lose at least one more game.

IU has already clinched its best conference record since it won the outright Big Ten title in the 2012-2013 season, going 14-4.  If IU wins its remaining two games, it will have a 15-3 conference record, which would be its best conference record since going 17-1 in 1992-1993 and winning the Big Ten title by two games over the Fab Five.

Next games

Here are this weekend's games (all times Eastern):

Saturday

-Rutgers at Northwestern (2 p.m.; ESPNU)

-Maryland at Purdue (4 p.m.; ESPN)

Sunday

-Penn State at Michigan State (12 p.m.; BTN)

-Iowa at Ohio State (4 p.m.; CBS)

-Michigan at Wisconsin (6 p.m.; BTN)

-Minnesota at Illinois (8 p.m.; BTN)

Current Standings

Here are the current standings, with the conference record, each team's remaining Big Ten games, and my predictions.  I will try to update these after every day or every couple days of games.

1.  Indiana (13-3):  at Iowa (L); Maryland (W)

2 (tie).  Iowa (11-4):  at Ohio State (W); Indiana (W); at Michigan (L)

2 (tie).  Maryland (11-4):  at Purdue (L); Illinois (W); at Indiana (L)

4 (tie).  Michigan State (10-5):  Penn State (W); at Rutgers (W); Ohio State (W)

4 (tie).  Wisconsin (10-5):  Michigan (W); at Minnesota (W); at Purdue (L)

6 (tie).  Michigan (10-6):  at Wisconsin (L); Iowa (W)

6 (tie).  Ohio State (10-6):  Iowa (L); at Michigan State (L)

8.  Purdue (9-6):   Maryland (W); at Nebraska (W); Wisconsin (W)

9.  Penn State (6-9):  at Michigan State (L); Northwestern (W); Illinois (W)
10.  Nebraska (6-10):  Purdue (L); at Northwestern (L)

11.  Northwestern (5-10):  Rutgers (W); at Penn State (L); Nebraska (W)

12.  Illinois (4-11):  Minnesota (W); at Maryland (L); at Penn State (L)

13.  Minnesota (2-13):  at Illinois (L); Wisconsin (L); at Rutgers (L)

14.  Rutgers (0-15):  at Northwestern (L); Michigan State (L); Minnesota (W)

Projected Big Ten Tournament Seeding

Given my predictions and Big Ten tiebreaking rules, here is how the Big Ten Tournament seeds should fall into place:

1.  Indiana (14-4)

2.  Iowa (13-5) (would have tiebreaker over MSU based on 2-0 record vs. MSU)

3.  Michigan State (13-5)

4.  Purdue (12-6) (would hold tiebreaker over Maryland and Wisconsin based on 3-1 record vs. other two teams, while Maryland would have 2-2 record and Wisconsin would have 1-3 record)

5.  Maryland (12-6)

6.  Wisconsin (12-6)

7.  Michigan (11-7)

8.  Ohio State (10-8)

9.  Penn State (8-10)

10.  Northwestern (7-11)

11.  Nebraska (6-12)

12.  Illinois (5-13)

13.  Minnesota (2-16)

14.  Rutgers (1-17)

Big Ten Tournament Schedule

Here are the dates/times/TV schedule for the Big Ten Tournament (and a link to the bracket), which will be in Indianapolis.  All times are Eastern.

Wednesday March 9 – First Round

(12) vs. (13) (4:30 p.m. ESPN2)

(11) vs. (14) (7 p.m. BTN)

Thursday March 10 – Second Round

(8) vs. (9) (Noon, BTN)

(5) vs. (12)/(13) (2:30 p.m., BTN)

(7) vs. (10) (6:30 p.m., ESPN2)

(6) vs. (11)/(14) (9 p.m., ESPN2)

Friday March 11 – Quarterfinals

(1) vs. (8)/(9) (Noon, ESPN)

(4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13) (2:30 p.m., ESPN)

(2) vs. (7)/(10) (6:30 p.m., BTN)

(3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14) (9 p.m., BTN)

Saturday March 12 – Semifinals

(1)/(8)/(9) vs. (4)/(5)/(12)/(13) (1 p.m., CBS)

(2)/(7)/(10) vs. (3)/(6)/(11)/(14) (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Sunday March 13 – Finals

(1)/(4)/(5)/(8)/(9)/(12)/(13) vs. (2)/(3)/(6)/(7)/(10)/(11)/(14) (3 p.m., CBS)

NCAA Tournament Resumes for All 14 Big Ten Teams

Here is each Big Ten team's NCAA Tournament resume, including each team's RPI (based on ESPN's daily RPI), overall record against D-1 opponents, "good" wins (wins against RPI Top 50 teams or, if none, the team's best win), "bad" losses (losses against teams with an RPI of 101+ or, if none, the team's worst loss).  An * means the game was played on a neutral court, and for the "good" wins and "bad" losses, the team's current RPI is identified.  I have categorized the teams by "In," "Bubble," or "Out," which is my best guess, based on what I know right now, as to whether each team is a lock for the NCAA Tournament, is on the bubble, or is out.

In

1.  Maryland

RPI:  10

Overall record:  22-5

Good wins:  6 (Iowa (20), Purdue (21), at Wisconsin (34), Princeton* (39), Connecticut* (44), Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  1 (at Minnesota (223))

2.  Michigan State

RPI:  15

Overall record:  23-5

Good wins:  8 (Kansas* (1), Maryland (10), Louisville (16), Indiana (29), Wisconsin (34), Providence* (40), Florida (42), at Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  1 (Nebraska (169))

3.  Iowa

RPI:  20

Overall record:  20-7

Good wins:  6 (Michigan State (15), at Michigan State (15), Purdue (21), at Purdue (21), Wichita State* (47), Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  None (at Penn State (99))

4.  Purdue

RPI:  21

Overall record:  21-7

Good wins:  5 (Michigan State (15), at Wisconsin (34), at Pittsburgh (41), Florida* (42), Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  1 (at Illinois (144))

5.  Indiana

RPI:  29

Overall record:  23-6

Good wins:  5 (Iowa (20), Purdue (21), Notre Dame* (26), Wisconsin (34), at Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  2 (Wake Forest* (130), UNLV* (137))

6.  Wisconsin

RPI:  34

Overall record:  18-10

Good wins:  4 (at Maryland (10), Michigan State (15), at Iowa (20), Indiana (29))

Bad losses:  4 (Marquette (103), at Northwestern (109), Milwaukee (162), Western Illinois (257))

Bubble

7.  Michigan

RPI:  50

Overall record:  19-9

Good wins:  3 (Maryland (10), Purdue (21), Texas* (24))

Bad losses:  None (at Ohio State (78))

Out

8.  Ohio State

RPI:  78

Overall record:  18-11

Good wins:  2 (Kentucky* (12), Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  3 (UT-Arlington (106), Louisiana Tech (118), Memphis* (164))

9.  Penn State

RPI:  99

Overall record:  15-13

Good wins:  2 (Iowa (20), Indiana (29))

Bad losses:  3 (Duquesne* (135), Radford (159), at Nebraska (169))

10.  Northwestern

RPI:  109

Overall record:  17-11

Good wins:  1 (Wisconsin (34))

Bad losses:  None (Penn State (99))

11.  Illinois

RPI:  144

Overall record:  12-16

Good wins:  1 (Purdue (21))

Bad losses:  3 (at Northwestern (109), North Florida* (158), Nebraska (169))

12.  Nebraska

RPI:  169

Overall record:  14-14

Good wins:  1 (at Michigan State (15))

Bad losses:  2 (Northwestern (109), Samford (269))

13.  Minnesota

RPI:  223

Overall record:  8-19

Good wins:  1 (Maryland (10))

Bad losses:  7 (Northwestern (109), at Northwestern (109), Illinois (144), Oklahoma State* (148), Milwaukee (162), at Nebraska (169), South Dakota (179))

14.  Rutgers

RPI:  281

Overall record:  5-22

Good wins:  None (Farleigh Dickinson (235))

Bad losses:  8 (Clemson* (108), Wake Forest (130), Illinois (144), at Illinois (144), Nebraska (169), at Nebraska (169), at St. John's (222), at Minnesota (223))

Updated Big Ten Tournament Seeding Predictions and NCAA Tournament Resumes

Last night was an important night for the Big Ten standings and the Big Ten's representation in the NCAA Tournament.  Michigan did what they needed to do and beat Northwestern at home.  The win isn't necessarily a great one, but a loss would have been disastrous for the Wolverines.

In the other game, however, Wisconsin upset Iowa in Iowa City.  Not only does this mean that the Badgers have all but locked up an NCAA Tournament bid, but it also causes a major shake-up in Big Ten regular season title implications.  

Both IU and Maryland now control their own destinies.  If either team wins out, that team will clinch the 1-seed in the Big Ten Tournament.  If IU wins out, the Hoosiers will win the Big Ten title outright.  If IU beats Illinois tonight and Iowa next Tuesday and Maryland loses either to Purdue Saturday or Illinois next Thursday, then IU will clinch the outright Big Ten title regardless of whether IU beats Maryland on March 6.  It's a fun time to be a Big Ten basketball fan –- well, if your team is in the top half of the standings, anyway.

Next games

Here are tonight's games (all times Eastern):

-Nebraska at Penn State (7 p.m.; ESPNU)
-Indiana at Illinois (9 p.m.; ESPN)

Current Standings

Here are the current standings, with the conference record, each team's remaining Big Ten games, and my predictions.  I will try to update these after every day or every couple days of games.

1.  Indiana (12-3):  at Illinois (W); at Iowa (L); Maryland (W)

2 (tie).  Iowa (11-4):  at Ohio State (W); Indiana (W); at Michigan (L)

2 (tie).  Maryland (11-4):  at Purdue (L); Illinois (W); at Indiana (L)

4 (tie).  Michigan State (10-5):  Penn State (W); at Rutgers (W); Ohio State (W)

4 (tie).  Wisconsin (10-5):  Michigan (W); at Minnesota (W); at Purdue (L)

6 (tie).  Michigan (10-6):  at Wisconsin (L); Iowa (W)

6 (tie).  Ohio State (10-6):  Iowa (L); at Michigan State (L)

8.  Purdue (9-6):   Maryland (W); at Nebraska (W); Wisconsin (W)

9.  Nebraska (6-9):  at Penn State (W); Purdue (L); at Northwestern (L)

10.  Penn State (5-9):  Nebraska (L); at Michigan State (L); Northwestern (W); Illinois (W)

11.  Northwestern (5-10):  Rutgers (W); at Penn State (L); Nebraska (W)

12.  Illinois (4-10):  Indiana (L); Minnesota (W); at Maryland (L); at Penn State (L)

13.  Minnesota (2-13):  at Illinois (L); Wisconsin (L); at Rutgers (L)

14.  Rutgers (0-15):  at Northwestern (L); Michigan State (L); Minnesota (W)

Projected Big Ten Tournament Seeding

Given my predictions and Big Ten tiebreaking rules, here is how the Big Ten Tournament seeds should fall into place:

1.  Indiana (14-4)

2.  Iowa (13-5) (would have tiebreaker over MSU based on 2-0 record vs. MSU)

3.  Michigan State (13-5)

4.  Purdue (12-6) (would hold tiebreaker over Maryland and Wisconsin based on 3-1 record vs. other two teams, while Maryland would have 2-2 record and Wisconsin would have 1-3 record)

5.  Maryland (12-6)

6.  Wisconsin (12-6)

7.  Michigan (11-7)

8.  Ohio State (10-8)

9.  Penn State (7-11) (would have tiebreaker over Nebraska and Northwestern based on better record vs. IU and Iowa)

10.  Nebraska (7-11) (would have tiebreaker over Northwestern based on better record vs. Michigan State)

11.  Northwestern (7-11)

12.  Illinois (5-13)

13.  Minnesota (2-16)

14.  Rutgers (1-17)

Big Ten Tournament Schedule

Here are the dates/times/TV schedule for the Big Ten Tournament (and a link to the bracket), which will be in Indianapolis.  All times are Eastern.

Wednesday March 9 – First Round

(12) vs. (13) (4:30 p.m. ESPN2)

(11) vs. (14) (7 p.m. BTN)

Thursday March 10 – Second Round

(8) vs. (9) (Noon, BTN)

(5) vs. (12)/(13) (2:30 p.m., BTN)

(7) vs. (10) (6:30 p.m., ESPN2)

(6) vs. (11)/(14) (9 p.m., ESPN2)

Friday March 11 – Quarterfinals

(1) vs. (8)/(9) (Noon, ESPN)

(4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13) (2:30 p.m., ESPN)

(2) vs. (7)/(10) (6:30 p.m., BTN)

(3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14) (9 p.m., BTN)

Saturday March 12 – Semifinals

(1)/(8)/(9) vs. (4)/(5)/(12)/(13) (1 p.m., CBS)

(2)/(7)/(10) vs. (3)/(6)/(11)/(14) (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Sunday March 13 – Finals

(1)/(4)/(5)/(8)/(9)/(12)/(13) vs. (2)/(3)/(6)/(7)/(10)/(11)/(14) (3 p.m., CBS)

NCAA Tournament Resumes for All 14 Big Ten Teams

Here is each Big Ten team's NCAA Tournament resume, including each team's RPI (based on ESPN's daily RPI), overall record against D-1 opponents, "good" wins (wins against RPI Top 50 teams or, if none, the team's best win), "bad" losses (losses against teams with an RPI of 101+ or, if none, the team's worst loss).  An * means the game was played on a neutral court, and for the "good" wins and "bad" losses, the team's current RPI is identified.  I have categorized the teams by "In," "Bubble," or "Out," which is my best guess, based on what I know right now, as to whether each team is a lock for the NCAA Tournament, is on the bubble, or is out.

In

1.  Maryland

RPI:  10

Overall record:  22-5

Good wins:  6 (Iowa (20), Purdue (21), at Wisconsin (35), Princeton* (37), Connecticut* (39), Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  1 (at Minnesota (225))

2.  Michigan State

RPI:  14

Overall record:  23-5

Good wins:  8 (Kansas* (1), Maryland (10), Louisville (16), Indiana (30), Wisconsin (35), Providence* (38), Florida (40), at Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  1 (Nebraska (164))

3.  Iowa

RPI:  20

Overall record:  20-7

Good wins:  6 (Michigan State (14), at Michigan State (14), Purdue (20), at Purdue (20), Wichita State* (45), Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  1 (at Penn State (108))

4.  Purdue

RPI:  21

Overall record:  21-7

Good wins:  5 (Michigan State (14), at Wisconsin (35), Florida* (40), at Pittsburgh (41), Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  1 (at Illinois (141))

5.  Indiana

RPI:  30

Overall record:  22-6

Good wins:  5 (Iowa (20), Purdue (21), Notre Dame* (26), Wisconsin (35), at Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  3 (at Penn State (108), Wake Forest* (128), UNLV* (136))

6.  Wisconsin

RPI:  35

Overall record:  18-10

Good wins:  4 (at Maryland (10), Michigan State (14), at Iowa (20), Indiana (30))

Bad losses:  4 (Marquette (103), at Northwestern (105), Milwaukee (159), Western Illinois (257))

Bubble

7.  Michigan

RPI:  50

Overall record:  19-9

Good wins:  3 (Maryland (10), Purdue (21), Texas* (23))

Bad losses:  None (at Ohio State (78))

Out

8.  Ohio State

RPI:  78

Overall record:  18-11

Good wins:  2 (Kentucky* (11), Michigan (50))

Bad losses:  3 (UT-Arlington (113), Louisiana Tech (116), Memphis* (155))

10.  Northwestern

RPI:  105

Overall record:  17-11

Good wins:  1 (Wisconsin (35))

Bad losses:  1 (Penn State (108))

9.  Penn State

RPI:  108

Overall record:  14-13

Good wins:  2 (Iowa (20), Indiana (30))

Bad losses:  3 (Duquesne* (133), Radford (163), at Nebraska (164))

11.  Illinois

RPI:  141

Overall record:  12-15

Good wins:  1 (Purdue (21))

Bad losses:  3 (at Northwestern (105), Nebraska (164), North Florida* (167))

12.  Nebraska

RPI:  164

Overall record:  14-14

Good wins:  1 (at Michigan State (14))

Bad losses:  2 (Northwestern (105), Samford (270))

13.  Minnesota

RPI:  225

Overall record:  8-19

Good wins:  1 (Maryland (10))

Bad losses:  8 (Northwestern (105), at Northwestern (105), at Penn State (108), Illinois (141), Oklahoma State* (148), Milwaukee (159), at Nebraska (164), South Dakota (188))

14.  Rutgers

RPI:  281

Overall record:  5-22

Good wins:  None (Farleigh Dickinson (250))

Bad losses:  9 (Clemson* (106), Penn State (108), Wake Forest (128), Illinois (141), at Illinois (141), Nebraska (164), at Nebraska (164), at St. John's (209), at Minnesota (225))

Retro Video of the Week: "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn

My friend Gregerson turned an undisclosed age this past Saturday.  One of his favorite karaoke songs is "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn.  The number of pairs of wet panties that women have thrown at him on the karaoke stage when he sings this song is immeasurable.  Because zero isn't really a measurable quantity.  Anywho, Cohn released his self-titled debut album 25 years ago this past Sunday, and that album featured "Walking in Memphis" -- a heartfelt story of a Jewish gospel music lover's spiritual awakening while visiting Memphis.  It was Cohn's biggest hit, reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.  In honor of Gregerson's love of this song, here is the video.

Updated Big Ten Tournament Seeding Predictions and NCAA Tournament Resumes

Last night, everything went as expected, as Michigan State put a pretty big dent in Ohio State's NCAA Tournament hopes by beating the Buckeyes by 19 in Columbus.  Elsewhere, Minnesota beat Rutgers to all but secure that coveted 13-seed in the Big Ten Tournament.  Rutgers continues to distinguish itself as the worst major conference men's basketball team this year, with an RPI of 280 -- below the likes of Idaho State, Kennesaw State, and Liberty, and nearly 50 spots worse than the next-worst major conference team (Boston College at 232).  There is a very real possibility that Rutgers will go 0-18 in the Big Ten, making the Scarlet Knights the first team since Northwestern in the 1999-2000 season to go winless in the Big Ten.

Tonight's matchup between Wisconsin and Iowa is a huge one.  The Badgers can really help their NCAA Tournament chances with a win in Iowa City, and the Hawkeyes need a win to keep pace with Indiana at the top of the conference standings.

Next games

Here are tonight's games (all times Eastern):

-Northwestern at Michigan (7 p.m.; BTN)

-Wisconsin at Iowa (9 p.m.; BTN)

Current Standings

Here are the current standings, with the conference record, each team's remaining Big Ten games, and my predictions.  I will try to update these after every day or every couple days of games.

1.  Indiana (12-3):  at Illinois (W); at Iowa (L); Maryland (W)

2.  Iowa (11-3):  Wisconsin (W); at Ohio State (W); Indiana (W); at Michigan (L)

3.  Maryland (11-4):  at Purdue (L); Illinois (W); at Indiana (L)

4.  Michigan State (10-5):  Penn State (W); at Rutgers (W); Ohio State (W)

5.  Wisconsin (9-5):  at Iowa (L); Michigan (W); at Minnesota (W); at Purdue (L)

6.  Ohio State (10-6):  Iowa (L); at Michigan State (L)

7 (tie). Michigan (9-6):  Northwestern (W); at Wisconsin (L); Iowa (W)

7 (tie).  Purdue (9-6):   Maryland (W); at Nebraska (W); Wisconsin (W)

9.  Nebraska (6-9):  at Penn State (W); Purdue (L); at Northwestern (L)

10 (tie).  Northwestern (5-9):  at Michigan (L); Rutgers (W); at Penn State (L); Nebraska (W)

10 (tie).  Penn State (5-9):  Nebraska (L); at Michigan State (L); Northwestern (W); Illinois (W)

12.  Illinois (4-10):  Indiana (L); Minnesota (W); at Maryland (L); at Penn State (L)

13.  Minnesota (2-13):  at Illinois (L); Wisconsin (L); at Rutgers (L)

14.  Rutgers (0-15):  at Northwestern (L); Michigan State (L); Minnesota (W)

Projected Big Ten Tournament Seeding

Given my predictions and Big Ten tiebreaking rules, here is how the Big Ten Tournament seeds should fall into place:

1.  Iowa (14-4) (would have tiebreaker over IU based on better record vs. Michigan State)

2.  Indiana (14-4)

3.  Michigan State (13-5)

4.  Maryland (12-6) (would have tiebreaker over Purdue based on better combined record vs. IU and Iowa)

5.  Purdue (12-6)

6.  Wisconsin (11-7) (would have tiebreaker over Michigan based on 1-0 record vs. Michigan)

7.  Michigan (11-7)

8.  Ohio State (10-8)

9.  Penn State (7-11) (would have tiebreaker over Nebraska and Northwestern based on better record vs. IU and Iowa)

10.  Nebraska (7-11) (would have tiebreaker over Northwestern based on better record vs. Michigan State)

11.  Northwestern (7-11)

12.  Illinois (5-13)

13.  Minnesota (2-16)

14.  Rutgers (1-17)

Big Ten Tournament Schedule

Here are the dates/times/TV schedule for the Big Ten Tournament (and a link to the bracket), which will be in Indianapolis.  All times are Eastern.

Wednesday March 9 – First Round

(12) vs. (13) (4:30 p.m. ESPN2)

(11) vs. (14) (7 p.m. BTN)

Thursday March 10 – Second Round

(8) vs. (9) (Noon, BTN)

(5) vs. (12)/(13) (2:30 p.m., BTN)

(7) vs. (10) (6:30 p.m., ESPN2)

(6) vs. (11)/(14) (9 p.m., ESPN2)

Friday March 11 – Quarterfinals

(1) vs. (8)/(9) (Noon, ESPN)

(4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13) (2:30 p.m., ESPN)

(2) vs. (7)/(10) (6:30 p.m., BTN)

(3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14) (9 p.m., BTN)

Saturday March 12 – Semifinals

(1)/(8)/(9) vs. (4)/(5)/(12)/(13) (1 p.m., CBS)

(2)/(7)/(10) vs. (3)/(6)/(11)/(14) (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Sunday March 13 – Finals

(1)/(4)/(5)/(8)/(9)/(12)/(13) vs. (2)/(3)/(6)/(7)/(10)/(11)/(14) (3 p.m., CBS)

NCAA Tournament Resumes for All 14 Big Ten Teams

Here is each Big Ten team's NCAA Tournament resume, including each team's RPI (based on ESPN's daily RPI), overall record against D-1 opponents, "good" wins (wins against RPI Top 50 teams or, if none, the team's best win), "bad" losses (losses against teams with an RPI of 101+ or, if none, the team's worst loss).  An * means the game was played on a neutral court, and for the "good" wins and "bad" losses, the team's current RPI is identified.  I have categorized the teams by "In," "Bubble," or "Out," which is my best guess, based on what I know right now, as to whether each team is a lock for the NCAA Tournament, is on the bubble, or is out.

In

1.  Maryland

RPI:  10

Overall record:  22-5

Good wins:  5 (Iowa (15), Purdue (21), Princeton* (38), Connecticut* (39), at Wisconsin (42))

Bad losses:  1 (at Minnesota (224))

2.  Michigan State

RPI:  13

Overall record:  23-5

Good wins:  7 (Kansas* (1), Maryland (10), Louisville (19), Indiana (29), Providence* (36), Florida (40), Wisconsin (42))

Bad losses:  1 (Nebraska (162))

3.  Iowa

RPI:  15

Overall record:  20-6

Good wins:  5 (Michigan State (13), at Michigan State (13), Purdue (21), at Purdue (21), Wichita State* (47))

Bad losses:  1 (at Penn State (107))

4.  Purdue

RPI:  21

Overall record:  21-7

Good wins:  4 (Michigan State (13), at Pittsburgh (34), Florida* (40), at Wisconsin (42))

Bad losses:  1 (at Illinois (140))

5.  Indiana

RPI:  29

Overall record:  22-6

Good wins:  4 (Iowa (15), Purdue (21), Notre Dame* (27), Wisconsin (42))

Bad losses:  3 (at Penn State (107), Wake Forest* (124), UNLV* (135))

Bubble

6.  Wisconsin

RPI:  42

Overall record:  17-10

Good wins:  4 (at Maryland (10), Michigan State (13), Indiana (29), VCU* (46))

Bad losses:  4 (at Northwestern (104), Marquette (112), Milwaukee (157), Western Illinois (254))

7.  Michigan

RPI:  55

Overall record:  18-9

Good wins:  3 (Maryland (10), Purdue (21), Texas* (23))

Bad losses:  None (at Ohio State (79))

Out

8.  Ohio State

RPI:  79

Overall record:  18-11

Good wins:  1 (Kentucky* (11))

Bad losses:  3 (UT-Arlington (111), Louisiana Tech (115), Memphis* (155))

10.  Northwestern

RPI:  104

Overall record:  17-10

Good wins:  1 (Wisconsin (42))

Bad losses:  1 (Penn State (107))

9.  Penn State

RPI:  107

Overall record:  14-13

Good wins:  2 (Iowa (15), Indiana (29))

Bad losses:  3 (Duquesne* (133), at Nebraska (162), Radford (163))

11.  Illinois

RPI:  140

Overall record:  12-15

Good wins:  1 (Purdue (21))

Bad losses:  3 (at Northwestern (104), Nebraska (162), North Florida* (166))

12.  Nebraska

RPI:  162

Overall record:  14-14

Good wins:  1 (at Michigan State (13))

Bad losses:  2 (Northwestern (104), Samford (269))

13.  Minnesota

RPI:  224

Overall record:  8-19

Good wins:  1 (Maryland (10))

Bad losses:  8 (Northwestern (104), at Northwestern (104), at Penn State (107), Illinois (140), Oklahoma State* (150), Milwaukee (157), at Nebraska (162), South Dakota (186))

14.  Rutgers

RPI:  280

Overall record:  5-22

Good wins:  None (Farleigh Dickinson (248))

Bad losses:  9 (Clemson* (103), Penn State (107), Wake Forest (124), Illinois (140), at Illinois (140), Nebraska (162), at Nebraska (162), at St. John's (210), at Minnesota (224))