The Big Ten had four games on Saturday. The biggest involved a massive battle between Illinois and Purdue and a road trip for Nebraska.
Let’s take a look at what happened.
Game of the Night:
–No. 11 Illinois Fighting Illini 88, No. 4 Purdue Boilermakers 82
Earlier in the week, we wrote about how Illinois might be the nation’s most underrated team. Despite a solid record and impressive analytics, Illinois was only getting a share of the coverage and discussion that other Big Ten powers like Michigan and Purdue had been receiving. It all set up a massive game against Purdue on Saturday,
where the Boilers were hoping to protect home court and keep pace in the Big Ten title race.
The game itself was pretty good. Purdue had the momentum out of the gates, but the team’s defense faded down the stretch and struggled to contain freshman star Keaton Wagler, who finished with 46 points and four assists in the afternoon. Illinois finished at 1.39 points per possession, which is an incredible number for a road game against a team like Purdue. Braden Smith also had a nice showing with 27 points and 12 assists, but it wasn’t enough to get the win.
Illinois improved to 17-3 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play with the win. However, more importantly, the group made a statement about their case in the Big Ten. Illinois has now won nine straight dating back to early December and is clearly good enough to win the conference. While the team has a brutal closing slate, it’s also hard to imagine many tougher environments than what the group saw on Saturday. And if Wagler keeps playing like this, Illinois could be a major player in the Big Dance.
On the other side, Purdue fell to 17-3 overall and 7-2 in Big Ten play with the loss. It was the team’s second straight loss after falling on the road to UCLA on Tuesday. And while a hard fought loss to an opponent like Illinois might not be terrible in a vacuum, it is devastating to Purdue’s conference title hopes. The Boilers entered the afternoon a game back from Nebraska and now find themselves in a two-game hole. However, perhaps more worrisome, the group also trails Illinois, Michigan, and Michigan State in the conference standings as well now. Making up that deficit is going to be quite a challenge.
Illinois will now prepare for Washington at home on Thursday. Purdue will get arch-rival Indiana on the road on Tuesday.
The Rest:
–No. 10 Michigan State Spartans 91, Maryland Terrapins 48
This seemed like a mismatch heading into tip and it certainly played out that way, as Michigan State crushed an overmatched Maryland squad. The game was never competitive. Jeremy Fears led the way with 17 points and 17 assists. Carson Cooper also had a nice showing with 14 points and eight rebounds.
Michigan State improved to 18-2 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play with the win, while Maryland fell to 8-12 overall and 1-8 in Big Ten play with the loss. The Spartans will now prepare for Rutgers on the road on Tuesday. Maryland will host Purdue on February 1st.
–No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers 76, Minnesota Golden Gophers 57
Heading into tip, this presented as a potential trap game for the Huskers. However, Nebraska took care of business and scored a 19-point road win. Pryce Sandfort led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jamarques Lawrence also had 14 points, five assists, and five rebounds.
Nebraska improved to a perfect 20-0 and 9-0 in Big Ten play with the win, while Minnesota fell to 10-10 overall and 3-6 in Big Ten play with the loss. The Huskers will now prepare for a massive road game against Michigan on Tuesday. Minnesota will try and get back on track against arch-rival Wisconsin on the road on Wednesday.
–UCLA Bruins 71, Northwestern Wildcats 64
The Bruins took care of business in this one thanks to 18 points and four rebounds from Tyler Bilodeau. UCLA’s defense also held Northwestern to just 1.0 points per possession. Nobody outside of Nick Martinelli on the Northwestern side did much in this one.
The win pushed UCLA to 14-6 overall and 6-3 in Big Ten play, while Northwestern fell to 9-11 overall and 1-8 in Big Ten play with the loss. The Bruins will now prepare for Oregon on the road on Wednesday. Northwestern gets Penn State at home on Thursday.
