- Michigan had a chance for a “signature” win over Purdue at home last night but came up just short in a game where the zebras became the story late. Refs on sports are getting way too much airtime. Ultimately, the refs didn’t cost Michigan a win, getting the calls right but a lack of consistency shines through. We’re at the point, though, where Michigan has probably cemented itself below MSU and Purdue, along with OSU as the 3rd and 4th best teams in the league.
- The Big 14 Network went a propagandizing last night blasting critics of the league’s basketball teams. They’re wrong. Whatever metric you want to use tells us the league is very bad. Underachieving Minnesota and Northwestern are the culprits. Rebuilding Indiana and puzzling Wisconsin, the other two. If I’m a Big 14 honk, I’d focus my energy not defending the dreck of the league but pointing out the two national title/Final 4 contenders.
- The Big 12 minus 2 gave us another great night. West Virginia held serve at home over a game Baylor team. That’s the kind of ugly game I suspect trips up West Virginia in March. Texas Tech had a chance to cement itself as legit threat but fell on the road to Oklahoma. Kansas held off a spry Iowa State team behind Malik Newman who played liked a 5*. A good Newman could be a big boost for Kansas going forward. Let’s see if this gets him going.
- As wild as the Big 12 will be, I think the Big East will match it for great nightly tussles. Creighton handed Butler a second straight loss. Butler has issues on defense and if they miss the tournament, that’ll be why. Speaking of defense, Marquette played some last night and showed what they’re capable of when they do, thumping Seton Hall by 20. That’s Wojo’s 3rd win in 3 years over a Top 15 team. St. John’s dropped to 0-5 in league play with a bad home loss to Georgetown. They’re without Marcus Lovett but they need to start showing some results in Mullin’s 3rd year.
- The most disappointing team at the moment might be Texas A&M who lost at Kentucky last night. Both teams have personnel issues but A&M is now 0-4 in league play and head to Tennessee Saturday. The Vols got a solid road win at Vandy last night. The Aggies are still 25th in KenPom but things aren’t good in College Station
- Finally, Virginia beat Syracuse last night but does anyone else think it’s still weird Syracuse is in the ACC? I feel like they’ve lost some of their identity and are just another team in the ACC. In the Big East, they always had the aura of being one of the Big Dogs and usually were. I don’t get that sense with them in the ACC. Just an interesting dynamic to me.
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