WBB: B1G Congerence Games 2015-16

In the first of three games in five days, Michigan State (8-2) ran over Michigan (4-7) in East Lansing 85-64. Aerial Powers scored 27 on 9-12 shooting (7-7 from the line). The Spartans nailed all 19 free throws.

Sparty now travels to Maryland on Friday (the twice postponed contest) and then heads to Iowa City on Sunday to meet the Hawkeyes. Tonight’s game was moved up one day to make it all possible. Needless to say, Suzy Merchant was not pleased with the schedule.
 

In the first of three games in five days, Michigan State (8-2) ran over Michigan (4-7) in East Lansing 85-64. Aerial Powers scored 27 on 9-12 shooting (7-7 from the line). The Spartans nailed all 19 free throws.

Sparty now travels to Maryland on Friday (the twice postponed contest) and then heads to Iowa City on Sunday to meet the Hawkeyes. Tonight’s game was moved up one day to make it all possible. Needless to say, Suzy Merchant was not pleased with the schedule.

Three games in three cities, in five days, that's brutal.
 

http://www.idsnews.com/article/2016/02/iu-rallies-from-halftime-deficit-to-stun-iowa-79-74

While Minnesota was defeating Rutgers, Indiana (6-5) knocked off Iowa (5-6) in Bloomington. The Hoosiers welcome Nebraska (7-4) on Saturday.

At halftime, IU’s unprecedented home record of 9-0 seemed in serious jeopardy.

Iowa outscored IU 22-8 in the second quarter in what IU Coach Teri Moren called the most painful quarter her team has played all season.

The Hoosiers, who committed eight turnovers in the second frame alone, looked out-of-sync going into halftime. IU trailed Iowa, 38-23 at the break.




Junior guard Karlee McBride resurrected the Hoosier cause with under eight minutes 
to play.

The sharpshooter drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the Iowa lead to 62-57 and swipe the momentum from the Hawkeyes.

McBride’s 3-pointers would set up a 12-5 run to give IU its first lead since the first quarter — a lead that would not be given up as the Hoosiers defeated the Hawkeyes 79-74 Thursday night.

“Well, that was a lot of fun,” Moren said. “Not our finest first half of basketball, but give our kids credit for chipping away. Once we saw the ball go in the net, everything changed for us. I’m really proud of how they handled the second half. They have a tremendous amount of resilience.”

Sophomore guard Tyra Buss drove for the game-winning layup with 29 seconds remaining after a timeout from Moren.

The layup gave the Hoosiers a 76-74 lead before the Hawkeyes turned the ball over on the ensuing possession.

IU’s record victory marked a 10-0 start at home to the season
 

STANDINGS CONFERENCE OVERALL
Big Ten W-L GB PCT W-L PCT STRK
#7 Ohio St 10-1 -- .909 18-4 .818 W6
#5 Maryland. 9-1 .5 .900 20-2 .909 W8
#17 Mich St 8-2 1.5 .800 17-4 .810 W5
Nebraska.... 7-4 3 .636 16-6 .727 W1
Purdue....... 7-4 3 .636 16-6 .727 L1
Minnesota.. 7-4 3 .636 15-7 .682 W1
Indiana...... 6-5 4 .545 14-9 .609 W1
Iowa.......... 5-6 5 .455 15-8 .652 L1
Rutgers...... 4-7 6 .364 13-10 .565 L1
Michigan..... 4-7 6 .364 12-10 .545 L1
Penn State... 3-8 7 .273 8-14 .364 L3
Northwestern 3-8 7 .273 14-9 .609 W1
Wisconsin.... 2-9 8 .182 6-15 .286 L7
Illinois......... 1-10 9 .091 8-14 .364 L5
 

Minnesota's next opponent, Northwestern (3-8), defeated Illinois (1-10) in Evanston 69-69. The Illini, despite playing without Alex Wittinger, who suffered a broken thumb in practice, led at the half 32-27. The Wildcats Deary, Inman, and Lyon each played 40 minutes. Coffey played only 39.

Wittinger's status for the Illini's next game is unknown.
 


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There was more than the Rachel Banham Story in the B1G today.

Indiana (7-5) defeated Nebraska (7-5) (Minnesota’s next opponent) 59-47 in Bloomington. I’m not sure what the Gophers can learn from this. Indiana let Romeo shoot threes-she was 0-7. The Hoosiers bodied up on Shepard and Havers and put them in foul trouble. This frustrated the two Husker posts putting them out of sync while the Hoosier’s kept scoring. I admit I was somewhat distracted from this game by the Rachel Banham show.

Meanwhile, in Iowa City, Michigan State (9-3) knocked off Iowa (5-7) in a competitive game with many lead changes. Again, as above, my attention span wavered thanks to Rachel.

Michigan (5-7) defeated Illinois (1-11) in Ann Arbor. Didn’t see a minute of it.

Rutgers (5-7) defeated Penn State (3-9) in Happy Valley.
 

I don't know if Indy beating NEB was a good thing or not. They might be feeling a bit more in must-win mode. I hope Stollings has a good game plan for Shepard. The Gopher posts looked pretty pathetic tonight.
 

I don't know if Indy beating NEB was a good thing or not. They might be feeling a bit more in must-win mode. I hope Stollings has a good game plan for Shepard. The Gopher posts looked pretty pathetic tonight.

I admit to being rather indifferent as to who won. One thing IU did better than most was not letting Shepard just dribble bounce the defender back to the basket. For that matter, Rutgers had a good plan against the Husker posts; but then Rutgers has some inside heft.

My favorite play from the IU/Nebraska game was Shepard running the break and Tyra Buss running around her and stealing the ball. Unfortunately McBride missed the layup after the pass from Buss. Indiana also sent the double when the ball went inside. This worked because Nebraska struggled from three today.
 



Wisconsin (3-9) aided the Gopher cause by beating Purdue (7-5) in Madison 64-57. Badger center, Michala Johnson troubled the Boilers with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Ohio State (11-1) stands alone atop the B1G after defeating Maryland (10-2) 94-86 in Columbus. Banham's scoring rival, Kelsey Mitchell, poured in 33 for the Buckeyes.
 

The Wednesday/Thursday wrap-up. Some good news for the Gophers who are now tied for third and cannot be caught by Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Penn State. Thus, Minnesota has avoided playing on the B1G tournaments first day. Next goal: the double bye.


On Wednesday Night:

Northwestern (3-10) should’ve upset Rutgers (6-7) but fell at the RAC 59-61. The Scarlet Knights Briyona Canty hit a three pointer with 11 seconds left tying the score at 59. Joe Mckeown called timeout and set up a play for Nia Coffey to drive the baseline against one of the game’s best shot blockers, Rachel Hollivay. Punishment was quickly served. Hollivay blocked the shot to Kahleah Copper who passed up court to a streaking Tyler Scaife for a lay-in and the win with under 2 seconds remaining

Indiana (8-5) defeated Illinois (1-12) in Champaign 80-69. For the Illini, Chatrice White fouled out and Alex Wittinger played with a splint on her broken thumb. Indiana and Minnesota remain the B1G’s biggest surprises.


On Thursday in games I have yet to watch:

In the night’s biggest upset, Penn State (4-9) rallied from a 14 points third quarter deficit to upend Michigan State (9-4) in East Lansing 65-61. Aerial Powers (18 points) fouled out for the Spartans while PSU’s Teniya Page scored 20 including the go ahead layup. This moved the Gophers into a third place tie with the Spartans.

Maryland (11-2) defeated Purdue (7-6) in College Park 73-59.

Michigan (6-7) defeated Wisconsin (3-10) in Ann Arbor 82-65.

Ohio State (12-1) made short work of the Hawkeyes (5-8) in Iowa City 98-81. Iowa visits Williams Arena on Monday night. Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 points for the Buckeyes.
 

Maroon and Gold Playing for Third:

The Huskers (8-6) helped the Gophers by defeating #17 Michigan State (9-5) in Lincoln, 73-66. Jasmine Cincore, who tried to slow down Rachel Banham on Thursday, slowed down Aerial Powers today. Powers committed 8 of Sparty’s 16 turnovers. The Gophers can take sole possession of third with a victory over the Hawkeyes tomorrow night.

Ohio State (13-1) held off Penn State (4-10) in Columbus, 77-63.

Michigan (7-7) sent Purdue (7-7) to its fourth straight loss, 68-61 in West Lafayette.

Maryland (12-2) used a 25-5 first quarter to defeat Northwestern (3-11) in Evanston, 79-70. Nia Coffey fouled out but the Wildcats cut the lead to five late.

Indiana (9-5) fought off a determined Badger (3-11) squad in Bloomington, 67-57. Michala Johnson had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Wisconsin while Tyra Buss led the Hoosiers with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.

Yesterday, Rutgers (7-7) knocked off Illinois (1-13) in Champaign, 63-56.
 

You can imagine how happy I was when NEB beat MSU. Gophers third place by themselves? Nice bump up in the rpi?
 



It helped Nebraska quite a bit. Huskers #68, Gophers #81.

Actually it probably would have helped Gophers more if MSU had won. Gophers much more likely to be battling Nebraska for a tourney spot than Sparty. Sparty the least likely of those 3 to be on the bubble. Always want fellow bubble teams to lose.
 

Remaining Schedules (I assume at least one of these teams will finish 11-7 or better):

Minnesota: (9-4): Iowa, @Indiana, @Michigan State, Ohio State, @ Maryland (Minnesota certainly has a path to eliminating bubble concerns)

Michigan State: (9-5): @Rutgers, Minnesota, @ Illinois, Ohio State

Indiana: (9-5): Minnesota, @Iowa, @Nebraska, Penn State

Nebraska: (8-6): @Ohio State, Purdue, Indiana, Northwestern



The Current 7-7 teams (it’s difficult to see any of these teams finishing better than 10-8):

Purdue: @Iowa, @ Nebraska, Rutgers, Wisconsin

Rutgers: Michigan State, Maryland, @ Purdue, Michigan

Michigan: @ Maryland, Penn State @ Northwestern, @ Rutgers
 

As of Monday AM

Big Ten Standings

TEAM CONF OVERALL


Ohio State 13-1 21-4
Maryland 12-2 23-3
Minnesota 9-4 17-7
Mich St 9-5 18-7
Indiana 9-5 17-9
Nebraska 8-6 17-8
Purdue 7-7 16-9
Rutgers 7-7 16-10
Michigan 7-7 15-10
Iowa. 5-8 15-10
Penn State 4-10 9-16
Northwest 3-11 14-12
Wisconsin 3-11 7-17
Illinois 1-13 8-17
 

Tonight's mid-week match-ups involve the four bottom dwellers;

Illinois (1-13) @ Wisconsin (3-11)
Penn State (4-10) @ Northwestern (3-11)

AND the game of the night for Gopher fans:

Michigan (7-7) @ Maryland (12-2)

Michigan's sweep of the Gophers means we don't want them near us in the standings.
 

Wednesday's night's games were blowouts.

In a contest with Gopher impact, home standing Maryland (13-2) took control in the second half defeating Michigan (7-8), 76-56. Michigan looked good in the first two quarters and led 30-29 at the half. Brionna Jones scored 20 on 8-10 shooting for the Terps. Michigan’s remaining schedule: Penn State, @ Northwestern and @ Rutgers.

In the battle for the bottom it was a bad night for home teams:

Penn State (5-10) ripped Northwestern (3-12) in Evanston 73-54. It was as bad as it sounds.

Illinois (2-13) swept Wisconsin (3-12) in Madison, 76-56. Chatrice White had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Illini.
 

Big Thursday in the Big Ten:

Nebraska (8-6) @ Ohio State (13-1)-Feature game on BTN
Michigan State (9-5) @ Rutgers (7-7) –Go Scarlet Knights!
Purdue (7-7) @ Iowa (5-9)-Go Hawkeyes!

Minnesota (10-4) @ Indiana (9-5)
 

Big Thursday Results:

Ohio State (14-1) made quick work of Nebraska (8-7) in Columbus 96-70.

Michigan State (10-5) scored 4 points in the first quarter and 29 in the fourth to rally past Rutgers (7-8), 70-67, in Piscataway. Rutgers scoring per quarter was a consistant 17, 16, 17, and 17-easily the night's most interesting game. Spartan Aerial Powers had 27 points and 14 rebounds. Michigan State is now tied with Minnesota and Indiana for third.

Iowa (6-9) withstood a Purdue (7-8) rally to win in Iowa City, 63-55.
 

This Weekends Games:

Saturday;

Penn State (5-10) @ Michigan (7-8) on BTN. The Lady Lions, losers to Michigan, 91-87, earlier in the season, attempt to escape the bottom four.
Northwestern (3-12) @ Wisconsin (3-12) on BTN. Badger senior day. Bobbie Kelsey’s last home game?

Sunday:

Minnesota (10-5) @ Michigan State (10-5) on BTN.
Purdue (7-8) @ Nebraska (8-7) on BTN.

Indiana (10-5) @ Iowa (6-9). I can continue to cheer (sedately) for the Hawkeyes.
Maryland (13-2) @ Rutgers (7-8) A Rutgers loss means they can’t catch Minnesota. Of course that’s also true of the other 7-8 teams.
Illinois (2-13) @ Ohio State (14-1)
 

Weekend wrap-up:

On Saturday:

Michigan (8-8) behind Flaherty and Thome withstood a solid Penn State (5-11) effort to win in Ann Arbor 78-73.
Northwestern (4-12) made short work of Wisconsin (3-13) on senior day in Madison, 71-53.

On Sunday, games broke in Minnesota’s favor except, you know, the Gopher game.

Maryland (14-2) defeated Rutgers (7-9), 73-58. Rutgers cannot catch Minnesota.

Iowa (7-9) nearly gave up a 17 point lead (again) to Indiana (10-6) but held on for 76-73 victory in Iowa City. The Hoosiers jacked up a couple of three attempts to tie late; but failed. It was nearly an awesome Hawkeye collapse. Iowa’s Whitney Jennings suffered two injuries to her knee in the final minute. The second put her on the bench.

Purdue (8-8) defeated Nebraska (8-8) (missing Clark and Theriot) in Lincoln, 68-50. Clark is apparently out for the season.

Minnesota’s next opponent, Ohio State (15-1) knocked off the Illini (2-14) 117-74. Kelsey Mitchell scored 36.


Remaining schedule for the 8-8 teams.

Nebraska: Indiana, Northwestern
Michigan: @Northwestern, @ Rutgers
Purdue: Rutgers, Wisconsin

For 10-8 Indiana: @Nebraska, Penn State.

Standings:

15-1 Ohio State
14-2 Maryland

11-5 Michigan State
10-6 Minnesota, Indiana
8-8 Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan

7-9 Iowa, Rutgers
5-11 Penn State
4-12 Northwestern
3-13 Wisconsin
2-14 Illinois
 




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