2022-2023 B1G Basketball Thread

[ELA]

I thought UW could win. I did not think it would be comfortable at the end.

Basically played a deeply close game, then had a spurt between the 10:30 mark and the last media timeout (19-6 run).

UW actually hit 2s, which never happens. Bad from 3. Free throws still trash. Iowa offense just evaporated. Which we will take.

So UW clinches at least a .500 record on the year and a kind of wonky finish.

The most important game remains the last one. If they beat Minnesota on the road, they head to the BTT at least in the bubble convo. This sport is dumb, so they could also crap the bed.

The other two games are odd. They'll be solid underdogs at Michigan and hosting Purdue. They shouldn't win either, but each of those teams has had flighty moments and the sport is dumb.

Playing at Michigan, isn't like playing at Penn State, or even Ohio State, which I think are the two least intimidating road venues to play at, but it's definitely in the bottom half. There is certainly a chance there. Wisconsin made a number of plays late, that showed me that they are still fighting for that bid.  I think the way Michigan closed this weekend, turning a 6-point deficit into a 12-point win in the final 5 minutes, shows me they are still fighting too. Should be a fun game.  And no 6 seed feels good about playing an 11 seed Wisconsin or Michigan that had to fight their way in off the bubble.

[ELA]

Alabama deserves to lose every game Brandon Miller plays in.  Them winning in OT when he scored over half his teams points is proof there is no sports god.

Gus Johnson literally spent more time talking about Larry nassar on Saturday, a gymnastics team doctor from 5 years ago, then ESPN's spend discussing the fact that Alabama's best player, who was actively on the court tonight, help to orchestrate a murder two months ago

[medinabuckeye1]

I had Wisconsin up to a #4 in mid-December in my bracket.  But also wanted to point out this response to medina's tiers having Wisconsin being 4-6 after 10 conference games

LoL, thanks!


Dead on!

[bayareabadger]

As I recall, he got a decent amount of playing time

Looks like he was the 7th man as a second-year guy. Granted he was behind a 1-and-done freshman and a transfer senior. Maybe irked the staff didn't believe enough in him after Year 1 to not recruit over him. 

[bayareabadger]

Alabama deserves to lose every game Brandon Miller plays in.  Them winning in OT when he scored over half his teams points is proof there is no sports god.

Gus Johnson literally spent more time talking about Larry nassar on Saturday, a gymnastics team doctor from 5 years ago, then ESPN's spend discussing the fact that Alabama's best player, who was actively on the court tonight, help to orchestrate a murder two months ago

That was all sorts of gross. Game was surprisingly competitive. Some of the national guys wondered if they shouldn't sit him with the thought they'd win anyway. 

[bayareabadger]

Playing at Michigan, isn't like playing at Penn State, or even Ohio State, which I think are the two least intimidating road venues to play at, but it's definitely in the bottom half. There is certainly a chance there. Wisconsin made a number of plays late, that showed me that they are still fighting for that bid.  I think the way Michigan closed this weekend, turning a 6-point deficit into a 12-point win in the final 5 minutes, shows me they are still fighting too. Should be a fun game.  And no 6 seed feels good about playing an 11 seed Wisconsin or Michigan that had to fight their way in off the bubble.

Would be extra fun if Michigan were to be on the right side of the ledger at the end. 

Also, Michigan has a tough closing run. The UW game is by far the easiest, with trips to Rutgers, IU and UI. With 12 losses already ... man that's a tight rope. I assume if they head to Chicago with 15, they're dead in the water. With 14, they'll need some real wins, with 13, maybe only need a win or two. 

If (IF) UW could win, makes that seeding in the middle more wonky (maybe?)

[ELA]

Looks like he was the 7th man as a second-year guy. Granted he was behind a 1-and-done freshman and a transfer senior. Maybe irked the staff didn't believe enough in him after Year 1 to not recruit over him.

And wasn't his second year technically his first full year? As I recall, he graduated high school early, and came in mid-year

[ELA]

That was all sorts of gross. Game was surprisingly competitive. Some of the national guys wondered if they shouldn't sit him with the thought they'd win anyway.

The only problem is you either say he didn't do anything technically illegal, and therefore you aren't suspending him, or you admit he did what he apparently did, and that isn't a one-game suspension situation, that's an off the team situation. Bar fight, or even a DUI, where there is wiggle room as to just how severe the punishment should be. If you aren't kicking him off the team, you might as well just play him, because anything less than that is insufficient anyway

[medinabuckeye1]

Iowa is now mathematically eliminated from the B1G title race. The RU/M loser will be eliminated as will Illinois if they lose at home to Northwestern. 

[bayareabadger]

And wasn't his second year technically his first full year? As I recall, he graduated high school early, and came in mid-year

Looks like it. Did he get hurt? Minutes dipped as the year went on. 

They also added two four-star guards, whatever Sensabaugh is and a high-usage transfer wing. Maybe that impacted it. 

[bayareabadger]

The only problem is you either say he didn't do anything technically illegal, and therefore you aren't suspending him, or you admit he did what he apparently did, and that isn't a one-game suspension situation, that's an off the team situation. Bar fight, or even a DUI, where there is wiggle room as to just how severe the punishment should be. If you aren't kicking him off the team, you might as well just play him, because anything less than that is insufficient anyway

For the sake of PR, you go "indefinite" and then let it cool a bit.

And you say "violation of team rules" and don't answer when reporters ask what rule.

Or you don't care and want to play him. As a writer I like says "they wanted to, so they did."

[MaximumSam]

Why did Meechie Johnson transfer out?  I had totally forgot about him, until watching him play for South Carolina tonight

No one ever really said, though my guess is the team didn't like him as a point guard because he shoots too much and he's too small to be an off guard, so they wouldn't promise him many minutes this season. 

[847badgerfan]

I give up on trying to know what UW is.

[medinabuckeye1]

All three games are interesting tonight IMHO:

Penn State at Ohio State 630, FS1:
For Penn State this is a humongous opportunity. A week and a half ago they lost to Maryland. That was their fourth straight loss and they looked to be dead in the water but since then they've won two straight. They are now 16-11/7-9. They just won a road game against the B1G's second worst team and now they get a chance to pick up a second consecutive road win by beating the B1G's worst (current) team. After tOSU, two of PSU's last three are at home (RU, UMD) so if they can win in Columbus then win their home games they'll head to Chicago at 19-12 and AT LEAST on the bubble.

For Ohio State this is their best remaining chance to win a game.

Michigan at Rutgers 830, FS1:
Both teams are 9-7 in the league so the loser is mathematically eliminated from the title race. That is academic but the game still matters.

As I see it, Rutgers is at a crossroads. Their last four are interesting because nothing looks impossible but nothing looks like a complete gimme either. They have good and very good teams at home (M, NU) and less good and bad teams on the road (PSU, MN). I feel like all four could go either way and there is a huge difference between heading to Chicago at 21-10 and heading there at 17-14.

For Michigan it is all about avoiding losses. They already have 12 so they can't afford many more.

Northwestern at Illinois 9, BTN:
In theory the Wildcats could lose this and still share or outright win the league title but, as a practical matter, they need to win out.