Image Source: Bryan Steedman
Key Takeaways
- The Big Ten Network will feature three games tonight, including Northwestern at #12 Michigan State, Rutgers at #16 Illinois, and Ohio State at Oregon.
- Michigan State is favored to win against Northwestern, who has struggled with limited offensive production.
- Illinois is expected to roll over Rutgers, who has struggled on both sides of the ball.
- The Ohio State vs. Oregon game has the potential to be an entertaining watch, with the Buckeyes looking to bounce back from close losses and the Ducks trying to recover from an overtime loss to Rutgers.
Introduction to Tonight’s Games
The Big Ten Network is set to feature a triple header tonight, with three exciting games scheduled to take place. The first game of the evening will see the Northwestern Wildcats take on the #12 Michigan State Spartans. As noted in the original article, "Michigan State bounced back nicely from a dreadful 56-58 road loss to Nebraska with a 29 point win over USC." This win has positioned the Spartans as favorites in their upcoming game against the Wildcats. Michigan State has lost twice this season, both to top 15 teams, and currently sits at 3-1 in league play. The Spartans are expected to remain favorites until their key showdown against Michigan at the end of the month.
Northwestern’s Struggles
The Northwestern Wildcats, on the other hand, are struggling to find their footing. With a record of 8-6 (0-3), they have yet to win a game in the league. As the article states, "Northwestern enters at 8-6 (0-3), losing at home to Minnesota last weekend." The team’s next six games will be particularly challenging, with three ranked opponents and four road games. The Wildcats’ limited offensive production, with only three players averaging more than 7.5 points per game, will likely be a significant obstacle against the Spartans’ strong defense, which is ranked second per KenPom. As the article notes, "Shooting only 31.5% from three and with only three players averaging more than 7.5 points per game, the Wildcats have a limited amount of offensive weapons."
Illinois Looks to Roll Over Rutgers
In the second game of the evening, the #16 Illinois Fighting Illini will take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Illini have been on a roll since their home loss to Nebraska, winning three games, including a blowout of Missouri and a road win over Penn State last week. As the article states, "The Illini have been rolling since a home loss to Nebraska." Rutgers, on the other hand, is in desperate need of a win, with a record of 8-7 (1-3). The Scarlet Knights managed to secure a much-needed win over Oregon in overtime earlier this week, but their offense and defense have been struggling, ranking 178th and 144th, respectively. Against an Illini team that can score easily and has a top 20 defense, it’s likely to be a tough night for Rutgers.
Ohio State vs. Oregon: A Potential Upset
The final game of the evening features the Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the Oregon Ducks. This game has the potential to be an entertaining watch, with both teams looking to bounce back from recent losses. As the article notes, "Ohio State hasn’t fared well in close games, losing four games by single digits." The Buckeyes have had plenty of opportunities for quality wins, but have come up short. A win over Oregon won’t significantly impact their postseason resume, but a loss would be a blow. The Ducks, on the other hand, are looking to recover from an overtime loss to Rutgers and will likely be without Jackson Shelstad, a major blow to their offense. As the article states, "Wei Lin had a monster performance against Rutgers but it wasn’t enough to avoid the upset in Jersey." The Buckeyes are the better team overall, but the game taking place on the road and their inability to close out tight games may give Oregon the opportunity to bounce back into the win column.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tonight’s Big Ten games promise to be exciting, with the Michigan State Spartans looking to continue their winning streak, the Illinois Fighting Illini aiming to roll over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and the Ohio State Buckeyes facing off against the Oregon Ducks in a game that could go either way. As the article notes, "The Buckeyes are probably the better team overall, but between tonight’s game taking place on the road and Ohio State’s inability to close out tight games, that should pave the way for Oregon to bounce back into the win column." With these matchups, fans are in for a treat, and the outcomes will have significant implications for the teams’ standings in the Big Ten conference.
https://www.btpowerhouse.com/big-ten-today/28593/1-8-big-ten-basketball-preview-ohio-state-at-oregon