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Your week 8 of Big Ten action saw three games between power-conference teams, and otherwise a lot of payday teams paid for the privilege of blowing them out at home.
As a reminder, all AP rankings listed are based on previous week, and RPI based on the date it was looked up over the course of the previous week and will likely be slightly outdated by time of actual match-up in the coming week ahead.
Again, the order of teams in the recap is now updated to what will remain a mixture of conference standings thus far along with my own power poll influence at times to differentiate standings at times until we have more games to base them off of.
#14 Michigan State Spartans 10-3 (2-0)
Game 1
The Spartans finished out their directional tour with the Western Michigan Broncos visiting East Lansing Sunday. They got the blowout win 95-62 despite Cassius Winston sitting out with a bone bruise. Favorite Nebraska son Jack Hoiberg saw a career high 13 minutes which resulted in a career high 6 assists and also 4 points. Foster Loyer led the Spartans filling in for Winston, shooting 100% from three on 4-4 shooting, and 3-5 from two point range for a total of 16 points. Xavier Tillman got the double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Week Ahead
The Spartans return to conference action with a visit Thursday by Illinois (76th in RPI) at 8 pm ET on FS1. Then the mitten show-down starts early with a visit from #11 Michigan Sunday on CBS at 4:30 pm ET.
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes 11-2 (1-1)
Game 1
The Buckeyes played the #22 West Virginia Mountaineers in Cleveland Sunday, and got upset in a 67-59 loss. Ohio State shot a paltry 31% overall in the game, going 15-49 from the floor. Andre Wesson fouled out while six other players had at least three fouls apiece. Kyle Young led in rebounds with 11, while Kaleb Wesson scored 17 to pace the Buckeyes.
Week Ahead
The Buckeyes return to conference action Friday night when they host Wisconsin (48th in RPI) at 7 pm ET on FS1.
#23 Penn State Nittany Lions 11-2 (1-1)
Game 1
The Nittany Lions hosted Cornell Sunday and blew out the Big Red 90-59. The Cornell Big Red managed to shoot 42% from three, but it didn’t matter as Penn State took the lead just over two minutes into game play and never looked back. Mike Watkins and Lamar Stevens led PSU in scoring with 19 points apiece, while Watkins made it a double-double with 10 rebounds.
Week Ahead
The Nittany Lions bring #25 Iowa to the Palestra Saturday to return to Big Ten play, tipping off at 2 pm ET on BTN.
#25 Iowa Hawkeyes 10-3 (1-1)
Game 1
The Hawkeyes saw the Kennesaw State Owls visit Sunday, and won 93-51. Luke Garza led Iowa with 23 points on 9-10 shooting from two-point range, while Ryan Kriener scored 20 on 100% shooting, going 8-8 from two-point range, and 1-1 from three. Overall the Hawkeyes shot 60% from the floor, but lost the rebound battle 34-32.
Week Ahead
The Hawkeyes head to Philly to take on #20 Penn State in the Palestra at 2 pm ET on BTN.
#13 Maryland Terrapins 11-2 (1-1)
Game 1
Maryland brought the Bryant Bulldogs to College Park Sunday and sent them packing with an 80-70 win by the Terps. Maryland struggled in the first half, going into the locker room with only a five point win. Jalen Smith got a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Cowan Jr. led the Terps with 19 points. Overall Maryland shot 50% from three, going 7-14.
Week Ahead
Maryland gets back into conference action when they bring Indiana (45 AP votes, 23rd in RPI) to town Saturday for a noon ET tip on Fox.
Indiana Hoosiers 11-2 (1-1)
(45 AP votes)
Game 1
Indiana led most of the second-half, including a 50-39 lead with 16:04 to go, but couldn’t hold off the Arkansas Razorbacks as they lost a home game 71-64. Overall, Arkansas made 8-17 from three in the second-half to mount their comeback. It also hurt Indiana that Aljami Durham was ejected only five minutes into the game for throwing a retaliatory elbow. Indiana also only shot 42% overall from the floor, and a paltry 24% from three. Trayce Jackson-Davis led the Hoosiers with 20 points.
Week Ahead
Indiana heads to #13 Maryland Saturday for a 12 pm ET tip as they return to conference play.
Minnesota Golden Gophers 7-5 (1-1)
Game 1
Minnesota hosted the Florida International University Golden Panthers Saturday and got the easy win 89-62. One might be concerned as a Gopher fan about the 39% shooting from the floor, but pure volume made up for it in this particular match-up. Gabe Kalscheur led the team with 23 points, while Daniel Oturu got a double-double with 23 points and 20 rebounds.
Week Ahead
Minnesota heads out to take on Purdue (11 AP votes) Thursday night at 7 pm ET on BTN. Then on Sunday it’s a quick turnaround for the Gophers as they welcome Northwestern (220th in RPI) to the barn for a 7:30 pm ET tip on BTN.
Illinois Fighting Illini 9-4 (1-1)
Game 1
Illinois hosted the North Carolina A&T Aggies Sunday afternoon. The Illini shot 42% from three, and had 22 assists. Kofi Cockburn led the team in scoring with 26, and just missed a double-double while leading in rebounding with 9 boards.
Week Ahead
The Illini head to East Lansing to take on #14 MSU Thursday night at 8 pm ET on FS1. Then on Sunday Purdue (11 AP Votes) comes to town at 8 pm ET on FS1.
Purdue Boilermakers 8-5 (1-1)
(11 AP votes)
Game 1
Purdue played the Central Michigan Chippewas Saturday, and got the win 97-62. CMU was held to a mere 38% shooting from the floor, while Purdue shot 44% from three. Trevion Williams got a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Sasha Stefanovic led the Boilermakers with 23 points.
Week Ahead
The Boilermakers host Minnesota (47th in RPI) Thursday night at 7 pm ET on BTN. Then they head to Illinois (76th in RPI) Sunday at 8 pm ET on FS1.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 9-3 (1-1)
Game 1
Rutgers was off this week.
Week Ahead
Rutgers hosts the Caldwell University Cougars (DII) tonight at 7 pm ET on BTN+. Then the Scarlet Knights come to Lincoln Friday night for an 8 pm ET tip-off on BTN.
#14 Michigan Wolverines 10-3 (1-1)
Game 1
Michigan blew out UMass Lowell River Hawks, as they should have. Final score was 86-60.
Week Ahead
Michigan heads to East Lansing Sunday for the first game in the mitten showdown series at 4:30 pm ET on CBS.
Wisconsin Badgers 7-5 (1-1)
Game 1
Wisconsin hit the road to take on the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday and got the win 68-48. Tennessee scored a consistent 24 points each in both quarters, while Wisconsin was led by D’Mitrik Trice’s 21 points in their blowout win. Trice shot 50% from three, going 4-8, while Wisconsin shot 43% overall from deep, sinking 11.
Week Ahead
The Badgers host the Rider Broncos (132nd in RPI) Tuesday at 7 pm ET on BTN. Then they return to conference play Friday night at 7 pm ET in Columbus at #2 Ohio State on FS1.
Nebraska Cornhuskers 6-7 (1-1)
Game 1
Huskers got the Sunday afternoon win over the Texas A&M CC Islanders. Be sure to read Kade’s recap of the action here.
Week Ahead
Nebraska hosts Rutgers Friday night at 8 pm ET on BTN.
Northwestern Wildcats 5-7 (0-1)
Game 1
Northwestern fell to the Hartford Hawks 67-66 Sunday. Just... wow, this one is UGLY! The Hawks rank 333rd in RPI and 307th in KenPom. The Wildcats shot a pathetic 27% from three, and just 37% overall from the floor. Miller Kopp led NU with 24 points.
Week Ahead
Northwestern heads to Minnesota (47th in RPI) Sunday for a 7:30 pm ET tip on BTN.