Minnesota encounters resistance: It was nearly a three-game losing streak for the ... The Golden Gophers still have one
HOOPS INSIDER
INSIDE ONE OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL’S PREMIER CONFERENCES | COMPILED BY PATRICK STEVENS, SPECIAL TO GATEHOUSE MEDIA STORY OF THE WEEK
RANKING THE LEAGUE *
Minnesota encounters resistance: It was nearly a three-game losing streak for the Golden Gophers, who pulled out a one-point triumph against Drake on Monday after trailing for much of the game. But that’s just the latest shaky showing for Richard Pitino’s team, which fell at Nebraska and Arkansas by double-digit margins after opening the season 8-1. The Golden Gophers still have one of the nation’s most productive players in Jordan Murphy, but they’re far from a finished product as they head into their exams break.
1. Michigan State (9-1): Even if the Spartans weren’t loaded, being the last team in the league with less than two losses probably would earn them the top spot at this stage. (Last week: 1)
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STOCK FALLING
Nebraska: Maybe not a lot, but the Cornhuskers created all kinds of headaches for Minnesota in a 78-68 victory last week to secure a split of their first two conference games. Nebraska (7-4) hasn’t done much to suggest it will make a run at Big Ten title, but it is 5-0 at home entering Saturday’s visit from Kansas. It’s possible Glynn Watson Jr. and his teammates can make life miserable for others who visit Lincoln later in the year, a group that includes Maryland and Michigan.
Wisconsin: Over the previous 12 seasons, the Badgers lost three games at home by double-figure margins. They’ve already done so three times this season, the latest an 82-63 shellacking at the hands of in-state rival Marquette. It makes sense Wisconsin isn’t as good without mainstays Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig, but it’s still surprising the Badgers aren’t better when they have one of the nation’s best big men (Ethan Happ) in their lineup. They need to get things situated in a hurry, though they don’t go on the road again until Jan. 5.
2. Purdue (10-2): The Boilermakers rank in the KenPom top 20 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They’re a complete team capable of winning a ton of games over the next few months. (LW: 3) 3. Maryland (8-3): It’s been a breakout season for Anthony Cowan Jr. at point guard, something the Terrapins were eager to get out of the sophomore. (LW: 4) 4. Minnesota (9-3): Lost to Nebraska. And Arkansas. And could have lost to Drake. The Golden Gophers probably could use their mid-December break to reboot. (LW: 2) 5. Ohio State (8-3): The Buckeyes should be 10-3 when they head to New Orleans to play North Carolina next weekend. That’s the next bellwether for a group that has overachieved so far this season. (LW: 5)
WEEKEND SPOTLIGHT
6. Michigan (8-3): Knocked off UCLA in overtime, which at least adds a quality victory to the Wolverines’ resume. This still seems like a team with its best days ahead of it. (LW: 6) 7. Penn State (8-3): When the Nittany Lions have won this season, they’ve played great defense. That’s going to be the difference for Tony Carr and Co. when league play resumes next month. (LW: 7) 8. Nebraska (7-4): Beat Minnesota, lost at Creighton. That’s not a bad split for the Cornhuskers, but a visit from reeling Kansas looms on Saturday. (LW: 9) 9. Northwestern (6-4): The Wildcats left no doubt — they’re better than Chicago State. A 55-8 halftime score will do that. (LW: 8) 10. Indiana (5-5): Hung with Louisville until the closing minutes after doing the same with Duke late last month. Moral victories aren’t popular in Bloomington, but these are still good signs for the Hoosiers’ competitiveness. (LW: 10) 11. Rutgers (8-3): The Scarlet Knights are 8-0 against teams outside power conferences. Alas, they only get a couple more of them before league play picks back up. (LW: 13)
Purdue forward Matt Haarms dunks against Valparaiso during the second half Dec. 7 in West Lafayette, Ind.
[MICHAEL CONROy/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]
Purdue vs. Butler
Weekend slate All times EST Saturday, Noon, Bankers Life Field House, Time Game Indianapolis, Fox SATURDAY Purdue has figured things out after dropping Noon Michigan vs. Detroit a pair of games in the Bahamas, but this will Noon Seton Hall at Rutgers not be a fun test. While Butler (8-2) might 2 p.m. Northwestern at DePaul not be quite as strong as past seasons, it 2 p.m. Iowa vs. Drake is still a tough, disciplined team that has 2:30 p.m. Indiana vs. Notre Dame already knocked off Ohio State and Utah. 2:30 p.m. Michigan State vs. Oakland Plus, the Crossroads Classic usually serves 6 p.m. Appalachian State at Ohio State as stellar platform for the Bulldogs to create 8 p.m. New Mexico State vs. Illinois problems for an in-state foe. Butler is 5-1 8 p.m. Kansas at Nebraska in the event, including 3-0 against Purdue, and F Kelan Martin will create matchup SUNDAY headaches. However, Purdue has more than 4 p.m. EST Penn State at George Mason its share of answers thanks to veteran bigs Vincent Edwards and Isaac Haas and sophomore guard Carsen Edwards and will aim for its sixth consecutive victory this year.
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* F Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State: The freshman produced averages of 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.5 blocks to help the Spartans past Rutgers and Southern
13. Wisconsin (4-7): Even though the hole is kind of the same as two years ago, it sure feels bigger for the Badgers. Losing freshman Kobe King (5.2 ppg) to a season-ending knee injury doesn’t help. (LW: 12) 14. Iowa (5-6): Snapped a four-game slide against Southern, but there’s still danger lurking Saturday against a Drake team that have Minnesota all it could handle. (LW: 14)
*Records through Dec. 11
NUMBER OF NOTE
65 Point margin of victory for Northwestern in its 96-31 defeat of Chicago State on Monday, a school record. The previous mark was 57, set in 1944 against the University of Chicago.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK • F Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio State: Averaged 22.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists to help the Buckeyes defeat Michigan and William & Mary.
12. Illinois (7-4): Neat game for the Illini on Saturday; they’re honoring former coach Lou Henson in Chicago and playing New Mexico State (who Henson also led to a Final Four). (LW: 11)
Utah. * C Mike Watkins, Penn State: Managed 18.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.5 blocks per game as the Nittany Lions split games with Wisconsin
and George Washington. * G Glynn Watson Jr., Nebraska: Had 29 points and nine rebounds to help the Cornhuskers secure an upset of Minnesota.
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300 Career coaching victories for Purdue’s Matt Painter after the Boilermakers’ rout of IUPUI on Sunday. Painter is 300-149 in 14 seasons and 275-144 in 13 seasons at Purdue.
