Big Ten Tournament, Quarterfinals
Submitted by Darren Demaree on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 12:12
#1 Michigan State Vs. #8 Minnesota 12:00 pm
The Spartans beat the Gophers by 12 in Minneapolis and 29 in East Lansing this year.
More than the previous defeats, doesn’t it feel like this Minnesota team can go no further? What started out as a great season for Minnesota has officially dropped below tournament standards. For them to get in they need to beat the Spartans then one or two more teams. They don’t get past the Spartans.
Winner plays OSU Vs. Wisconsin winner.
#4 Wisconsin Vs. #5 Ohio State 2:30pm
The Badgers won a slugfest in Madison in this year 55-50, in the only meeting between the two teams.
Both teams appear to be in the tournament, but at 19 wins the Badgers need this one more. The Badgers are to be feared because you never know when they’ll hold you to 30 points, but this is a game the Buckeyes win. Look for Evan Turner to do some things this afternoon that make the national story lines.
Winner plays Michigan State Vs. Minnesota winner.
#2 Illinois Vs. #7 Michigan 6:30pm
These two teams went home and home this year, with each team winning by double digits.
If Michigan wins this game then they’re in. That much talent in a must win game means the Wolverines take this game. Illinois is a comfortable #4 or #5 seed already, combine that with the fact that Michigan could probably take any team on their best game, means that they make the semis.
Winner plays Purdue Vs. Penn State winner.
#3 Purdue Vs. #6 Penn State 9:00pm
These two teams went home and home this year with Penn State squeaking out a 3 point win in University Park and Purdue winning big in West Lafayette.
Logic says that Purdue wins this game by 14 again, but this Penn State team has been squirrely as hell this year. I’ve never really valued logic, but I think Purdue wins this whole tournament, so I think they win this game as a start for all that.
Winner plays Illinois Vs. Michigan winner.
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