The Big Ten picks back up today with four games throughout the night, including a doubleheader on BTN. Let’s take a look at the upcoming action.
Indiana Hoosiers at #12 Michigan State Spartans
- Time/TV: 7:00 PM ET Peacock
- Line: Michigan State -6.5
The biggest game of the night will be seen exclusively on
Peacock, skipping traditional network television. Michigan State enters at 14-2 (4-1), with a not particularly great home win over Northwestern last week. Indiana seemed to be rolling towards a massive upset over Nebraska before an awful second half stretch saw their four game winning streak end. Indiana does have a decent record at 12-4 (3-2), but they still lack any quality wins over two months into the season. With a five game stretch that includes Michigan State, Iowa, Michigan and Purdue, we should be able to get a better read on these Hoosiers over the next couple weeks.
Michigan State has been surprisingly turnover prone with 12.6 per game, playing uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball. Michigan State’s three point shooting has improved to 35.9% and if they could limit turnovers it would help their offensive efficiency, which currently is just inside the top 70 per KenPom. Defensively it’s entirely different story, with their defense ranked third in the nation. Suffocating enough already, with tonight’s game taking place in East Lansing it’s going to be rough for the Hoosiers to find any sort of offensive rhythm.
The Hoosiers are led by Lamar Wilkerson’s 20.3 points per game. They need a bit more efficiency from Tucker DeVries, with the second leading scorer shooting just 40.3% from the field and 33.8% from three. The Hoosiers are hitting 48.3% of their field goals and take advantage of converting from the free throw line, but the Spartans defense will up the challenge considerably. If the Spartans can slow down Wilkerson it’s going to likely be a challenge for the Hoosiers to find someone else step up.
Michigan State’s offensive stagnation means Indiana will have a chance to land their first quality win of the season. But with tonight’s game taking place in East Lansing and the Spartans defense rolling, Michigan State should find a way to get it done.
Pick: Michigan State
Wisconsin Badgers at Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Time/TV: 7:00 PM ET BTN
- Line: Wisconsin -1.5
Wisconsin will look to avoid a letdown on the road against rival Minnesota. Last time out the Badgers upset the second ranked Wolverines on the road 91-88. The win followed a solid eight point win at home against UCLA that helped Badger fans forget about getting blown out on their home floor against Purdue. The Badgers have been a bit up and down, but the Michigan win was huge. Especially with a schedule that softens up over the next seven games before a road trip to Illinois next month.
Minnesota’s five game winning streak, including a win over Iowa, ended last weekend with a one point loss to USC. The Gophers run a limited rotation and outside of Cade Tyson don’t have any prolific scorers. Minnesota has been a tough out, however, playing opponents close and keeping games played at a slower pace and lower scoring. Wisconsin has a decent enough defense and has been starting to find some offensive footing but they are on upset alert with this being the perfect opportunity for a letdown game. As long as the Badgers don’t overlook the Gophers they are more than capable of making it three in a row.
Pick: Wisconsin
Oregon Ducks at #8 Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Time/TV: 9:00 PM ET BTN
- Line: Nebraska -10.5
Nebraska will look to improve to 17-0 tonight against the Ducks. Things have gotten tight as of late for the Cornhuskers, winning their last three games by 11 points. Nebraska overcame a second half deficit against Indiana and rolled on their way to a fifth conference win. Oregon has lost their last two games and outside of a win over lowly Maryland have gone 1-4 in conference play. The offense has been sporadic and facing a Nebraska team that can score it’s going to be tough sledding for Oregon. Any team can lose on any night, look no further than Michigan’s unexpected home loss to Wisconsin, but Oregon has been a hot mess so Nebraska should be safe for another night.
Pick: Nebraska
Maryland Terrapins at USC Trojans
- Time/TV: 10:30 PM ET FS1
- Line: USC -9.5
Closing out the night on FS1 is USC and Maryland. The Trojans have struggled in January, getting blown out by Michigan and Michigan State before a one point win over Minnesota in overtime. The Trojans will return home after a dreadful three game road trip and will get a much more manageable draw today against Maryland. Buzz Williams’ start at Maryland has been a disaster, with the Terps going 2-8 over the past 10 with their lone two wins coming against Old Dominion and Wagner. Maryland is 0-5 in the Big Ten and has averaged 58.3 points per game in their last three losses. With basically no offense, shooting just 39.6% from the field and committing 13.3 turnovers per game, the odds of Maryland heading cross country and landing an upset are slim at best. Look for the Trojans to bounce back nicely tonight.
Pick: USC
