Big Ten basketball weekend in review

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Michigan State coach Tom Izzo talks to his team during overtime of MSU’s 98-93 overtime loss in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in New York. Msuku 032323 Kd6405

It was a busy weekend for Big Ten men’s basketball. The nonconference slate is officially over, and conference play is now in full swing. For USC, that meant welcoming Michigan to Galen Center.

However, Trojans-Wolverines was far from the only big game of the weekend. No. 18 Michigan State faced a tough road test against Ohio State, No. 15 UCLA traveled to Nebraska, and much more. It will be fascinating to see how this Big Ten Conference race unfolds this year, not only because of the expanded 18-school membership in the Big Ten with the four West Coast schools now in the fold, but also because there is no clear-cut favorite in the conference. Purdue was obviously the best team in the Big Ten the past two years with Zach Edey being the dominant figure in the league and the reason the Boilermakers were able to turn back their opponents with the consistency one would expect from a conference champion. With Edey now in the NBA (and doing well with the Memphis Grizzlies), Purdue is not an overwhelming favorite in the Big Ten. There is no team lording itself over the rest of the league.

Let’s take a look at the weekend’s results in USC’s new basketball conference:

Friday — Wisconsin 116, Iowa 85

Mar. 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) talks with head coach Greg Gard during the second half of their game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Badgers had an offensive onslaught at home against the Hawkeyes, hitting 21 3-pointers. Whoa!

Friday — No. 18 Michigan State 69, Ohio State 62

Mar 17, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts to play in the first half against the USC Trojans at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Spartans held off the Buckeyes in…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-basketball-weekend-review-170700752.html

Author : Trojans Wire

Publish date : 2025-01-07 17:07:00

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