The chaotic week leads to the ten big biceps rings

by
John Fanta

John Fanta

College basketball announcer and reporter

It’s already been a wild few nights college basketball to start the week. Monday, No. 1 Bordeaux He was handed his first loss of the season, by Rutgers.

Tuesday brought an offensive blast in Big 12in which Kansas State He walked to Austin and dropped the No. 6 Texas, 116-103. Saw the evening too a house His second consecutive win put him into the Top-25, with a margin of 68-65 VirginiaWhile New Mexico He became the last undefeated player to suffer a loss this season with a defeat at Fresno State.

On Wednesday, the dramatic flair continued. Providence Ladder number 4 Okun Second straight loss – Ed Cooley’s Monks have now won eight straight wins. No. 16 duke Fell behind 15-0 and ran out of the building on the way in North Carolina State. Georgia Tech She continued a wild night in the ACC by hitting No. 12 Miamiwhich was previously 13-1. TCU He went on the road and hit Baylor in dramatic fashion to go 13-1, while Arkansas Got top 20 tackles Missouri and No. 23 Charleston The nation’s longest winning streak stretched to 14 games.

Now, let’s turn our focus to Big tenwhich led all conferences in Mike DeCourcy’s most recent projection with nine teams expected to make the NCAA Tournament.

Although there is still a lot of basketball to play, this league has proven itself with a great non-conference season.

Wisconsin It was a pleasant surprise. After losing the top 10 NBA Draft selection Johnny DavisThe Badgers never missed a win and are 3-0 in Big Ten play. while Michigan I fell shockingly Central Michigan At home on December 29, and Wolverine It rolled to double-digit wins Maryland And Penn State, and it looks like they’re going to play a role behind that Dickinson fisherman. Pennsylvania state Looking like a dark horse, Rutgers showed in Monday’s Mackey Arena win that it’s still one of the strongest teams in America. With a win suddenly reeling Illinoisdo not count 11-3 North West As for. Chris Collins’ team hasn’t had bad losses and wins on the road at Michigan State. Talking about SpartansTom Izzo needs his squad to continue to be healthy, but it’s a solid squad with top 50 offense and experienced defense. And, of course, Indiana should get into the top three in the league with Trace Jackson Davis And the Galen Hood Chevinau in the foreground.

All of this being said, it’s early in collegiate play, and Purdue doesn’t seem as dominant as one would think. I think we’ll end up with a real race in the regular season in this league.

So, what’s in store for Thursday? Big Ten doubleheader highlights tonight’s action on FS1.

No. 1 Purdue at No. 24 Ohio State (7 p.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports app)

This is the 184th meeting between the two programs, and it comes at an interesting time on the calendar. How will the Boilermakers respond to their first loss of the season? They meet a Buckeyes team that seems to be behind the schedule up to this point, sitting at 10-3 and 2-0 in Big Ten play.

This would be a big job for the small 6-foot-8 striker Zed keywho must find a way to defend the National Player of the Year Zack Eddy (21.7 points, 13.4 rebounds per game). The Buckeyes’ success has come with a well-balanced offense and a new leading scorer, Brice Sensabaugh (15.9 PPG). Speaking of freshmen, it’s important to be a duo Fletcher Lauer And the Braden Smith Throwback Thursday evening. They combined to shoot 3-for-9 in Monday’s loss to Rutgers. Eddie needs his perimeter guards to give him a little more help on the road. Expect a big attack in this match. Purdue ranks fifth in KenPom’s offensive modified efficiency while Ohio State currently ranks second in that column.

No. 15 Indiana in a Yes (9 p.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports app)

Hoosiers has not been tested in 19 days. They played two buyout games over the offseason, winning both and going 10-3, but Thursday night’s Conference Tournament returns to Mike Woodson’s team. They meet an angry Iowa team desperate for a win after 0-3 in Big Ten play. It’s a stellar matchup where Jackson-Davis (16.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG) meets Chris Murray (20.4 PPG, 9.8 RPG). With Xavier Johnson Indefinite with a foot injury, he’s just amplifying the role of a five-star freshman Galen Hood Chevinau, which keeps coming. Aiwa needs a little guard Tony Perkins To be in control of the game so the Hawkeyes can hit a home run.

Elsewhere in the Big Ten…

Maryland Rutgers visits at 6:30 p.m. ET on BTN. The Terrapins will be trying to shake off an 81-46 loss at Michigan on Sunday, but the atmosphere is getting tougher inside Jersey Mike’s Arena, where the Scarlet Knights have gone 51-9 over the past four seasons. Steve Bikel has a great goalkeeper who can do it all inside Paul Mulcahy. On Monday’s win at Purdue? Master Class: 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists, four steals, no turnovers. In order for the Terps to get a shot, they have to find an effective offense and length Donta Scott And the Sage Hart You must make a difference.

Saturday matches to watch:

Read more:

Top stories from FOX Sports:

John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers sports in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @employee.

Get more from College Basketball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Leave a Comment