Final sprint to Big Ten Title

• centralbucksfan

  Heading into the final week, the Big Ten is basically down to a three team race, OSU, MSU and Purdue. Purdue currently has a one game edge, although they now have to face MSU on Sunday without Hummel.
  Remaining games:
  
  Purdue:
  home vs MSU
  home vs IU
  @PSU
  
  MSU:
  @Purdue
  home vs PSU
  home vs Mich
  
  OSU:
  home vs Mich
  home vs Ill
  
  IF MSU happens to knock off Purdue on Sunday, it will force a three way tie. If OSU, MSU and Purdue all tie for the title.....OSU would get the #1 seed for Big Ten tourney based on their 2-1 record vs those two teams.
  Interesting that all three teams have had to deal with injuries/missed games to their best players as well, Turner, Lucas and Hummel.
• slingshot4ever

  There is no reason OSU shouldn't win these last two games at home. I see a three way tie happening as even without Hummel the only tough game is MSU. I see a three way tie happening.
• centralbucksfan

  Well, with MSU knocking off Purdue, we now have a 3 way tie. OSU with only one game vs Ill. Won't be an easy game, but OSU will be the favorite obviously.
  MSU has the easiest finish with home games vs PSU and Mich. Purdue has IU at home, then PSU on the road. PSU could give Purdue all the want if they play well.
• SportsAndLady

  

  I don't see any of the 3 teams losing a game the rest of the way, so I say it's a 3 way tie and OSU gets the 1 seed in the Big10Tourney.
• mallymal614

  The Illinois game makes me nervous. The buckeyes embarrassed them last time so you know they will be looking for the payback card.
• Heretic

  

  Yeah, and Illinois is in a situation now where I think they about have to beat OSU and probably have a good Big 10 tourney run to get into the NCAA tournament, especially after losing to Minnesota. Not a great overall record and currently have lost three of four (I think), which has to have them in a precarious position.
• centralbucksfan

  Heretic wrote: Yeah, and Illinois is in a situation now where I think they about have to beat OSU and probably have a good Big 10 tourney run to get into the NCAA tournament, especially after losing to Minnesota. Not a great overall record and currently have lost three of four (I think), which has to have them in a precarious position.

  As of Friday, Lundardi (Bracketology) had Ill has an 8 seed. As mentioned, after the Minn loss...they are probably sitting on edge. OSU playing for Big Ten title, Ill for NCAA. Should be a good one.
• Laley23

  

  Id expect all 3 to win out and share the B10 title.
• royal_k

  

  Laley23 wrote: Id expect all 3 to win out and share the B10 title.

  agree
  
  Regarding the OSU, Ill game....If both teams play well, the Buckeyes should prevail. They are the more talented team. (starting 5 that is)
• Heretic

  

  centralbucksfan wrote:

  Heretic wrote: Yeah, and Illinois is in a situation now where I think they about have to beat OSU and probably have a good Big 10 tourney run to get into the NCAA tournament, especially after losing to Minnesota. Not a great overall record and currently have lost three of four (I think), which has to have them in a precarious position.

  As of Friday, Lundardi (Bracketology) had Ill has an 8 seed. As mentioned, after the Minn loss...they are probably sitting on edge. OSU playing for Big Ten title, Ill for NCAA. Should be a good one.

  Really? An 8? That might make them a bit more secure, if he's on spot. I usually read the Yahoo! columnists and their bracket-predicting had them as an 11 on Friday, which made me look at that loss as putting them in a "no margin for error" zone. Still, at best, they're precarious...at worst, they're going to have to pull off a number of big wins.
• Footwedge

  Penn State could play major spoiler. They are a different team right now..