2025-2026 B1G Basketball Thread

[ELA]

MSUs defense has been very different the past month.  Cronin is whining about the fouls, but MSU isnt fouling because they arent guarding.  UCLA shot over 65% in the first half, over 50% from 3, with just 4 turnovers.  

[bayareabadger]

Winning basketball games does take skill. And like I said upthread, one can argue that for Miami to win 9 of 9 for those one-possession and OT games, it creates an emotional narrative that they're "clutch" or "they know what to do to win". Well, apparently if we're going to go with the emotional narrative, they forgot that skill against UMass.

So if they're that skilled at winning basketball games, where'd it go against UMass?

I find it a lot easier to believe that close games come down to a balance of skill / grit / coaching / and plain dumb luck. Plain dumb luck might explain the difference between Miami being 29-2 in the regular season and 31-0. But against their schedule, we're not having this conversation if they're 29-2 because their resume is crap, and their NET after the regular season wouldn't have been 54, it probably would have been 75. But two lucky bounces that get them to 31-0 and we are.

But they didn't get that lucky bounce against UMass. And the NCAAT selection committee doesn't base your resume only on the regular season.

I think you're reading a bit of what you think into what I'm saying. 

I don't think they should go because they have some magic "skill" that makes them win every close game. And I totally agree they were lucky to not be a few games worse, as are a lot of teams. 

But they did the thing. I've watched world series champions where I say "that's not the best team, but they played well late and won the games for dumb reasons." And they get a trophy and such.

I think the reason people grip onto the regular season because there is something sad and weird about the conference tournament thing often.

I think the difference between each side is also needlessly overcomplicated. Some people think that doing this thing that is very hard, and even requires enough luck, is enough of an accomplishment (with a few solid resume metrics) to warrant a fringe spot over a team we all think is not very good. And others say no, that isn't the case. The regular metrics are enough, and the undefeated small conference team would likely lose head-to-head. Both are legit outlooks and neither needs to be complicated much past that. 

[bayareabadger]

MSUs defense has been very different the past month.  Cronin is whining about the fouls, but MSU isnt fouling because they arent guarding.  UCLA shot over 65% in the first half, over 50% from 3, with just 4 turnovers. 

I feel like I'm surprised by this. But MSU often kinda biffs out and it doesn't matter.

I'm also a bit impressed with UCLA, since for whatever reason I don't think they're that good. 

[ELA]

This kind of sums up the amount of care all parties should have for the annual sack race


https://twitter.com/i/status/2032651490297270575

[MaximumSam]

Why would anyone expect Sam to be on the other side of this argument? He went to Miami. Of course he wants them to go to the NCAA tournament.

Also I'm usually right so I'm on that team as well

[FearlessF]

I feel like I'm surprised by this. But MSU often kinda biffs out and it doesn't matter.

I'm also a bit impressed with UCLA, since for whatever reason I don't think they're that good.

some teams play well early in the season and fade, others seem to come on late in the season, some teams make runs in tournaments

[847badgerfan]

Why would anyone expect Sam to be on the other side of this argument? He went to Miami. Of course he wants them to go to the NCAA tournament.

I honestly was not aware of that.

[847badgerfan]

some teams play well early in the season and fade, others seem to come on late in the season, some teams make runs in tournaments

Nebraska?

It was a nice season. Just not quite ready for prime time. That will come, so long as the coach sticks around.

[FearlessF]

yup, I think they got hot and a bit lucky early - overachieved

I'm not going to complain - a much better season than I had dreamed about

would really cap it off to get a win in the dance

[847badgerfan]

https://twitter.com/LucasAtLarge/status/2032572431538245981

[betarhoalphadelta]

I don't know what changed, but Purdue really looks locked in. I didn't want to say anything after the Northwestern game, because, well, it's Northwestern. But they just controlled the Nebraska game from tip-off until time ran out.

Now they manage to avoid MSU and take on UCLA today instead. This team has fooled me in the past this season, but if they play like they have the last two days, they'll be playing again tomorrow.

[betarhoalphadelta]

Braden Smith at 1,055 career assists now trails Bobby Hurley by only 21, at 1,076. 

Smith had 16 against Northwestern and 10 against Nebraska, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could get the 22 he needs to take the record even if the team only plays two more games. 4 games would almost assuredly get him there, so if Purdue wins today and in R64, he should easily take it. If the team only plays 3 more games, it gets a little dicey, but with his season average of 9 per game, he'd still be a favorite to get there if they only play 3 more.

[847badgerfan]

Nick Boyd no doubt looked at that voting for All-B1G.

It's motivating him.

[grillrat]

Braden Smith at 1,055 career assists now trails Bobby Hurley by only 21, at 1,076.

Smith had 16 against Northwestern and 10 against Nebraska, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could get the 22 he needs to take the record even if the team only plays two more games. 4 games would almost assuredly get him there, so if Purdue wins today and in R64, he should easily take it. If the team only plays 3 more games, it gets a little dicey, but with his season average of 9 per game, he'd still be a favorite to get there if they only play 3 more.

He's also set the BTT career assists record at 76 and will add to it tonight.  That record is likely going to stand for a very long time.