2/1 Big Ten Basketball Preview: #9 Illinois at #5 Nebraska

There are four games set for today, including a top ten showdown later this evening on FS1. Let’s take a look at the upcoming action.

#12 Purdue Boilermakers at Maryland Terrapins

Purdue will look to bounce back on the road against Maryland. The Terps have been a disaster in Buzz Williams first year with the program, winning only three games since Thanksgiving. Maryland has given up 85.3 points per game the last three games and have only scored more than 70 points twice in two of the last seven games. Heading up against the second ranked offense per KenPom, Maryland’s defense is going to be up for a challenge. And with Purdue’s defense being solid and Maryland’s offense ranked 139th, scoring for Maryland could be a challenge as well. Maryland is only 1-3 at home in league play and that mark won’t change for the better this afternoon.

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Pick: Purdue

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Penn State Nittany Lions

Time/TV: 2:00 PM ET Peacock

Minnesota has lost the past six games and will look to end their skid against a Penn State program currently winless in the Big Ten. The Gophers have been competitive in all six losses, typically starting strong in the first half before fading down the stretch. That isn’t a huge surprise considering the thin Minnesota rotation, but this team has almost landed upsets against Wisconsin (twice), Ohio State and USC. They even entered the half with a lead against Nebraska and tied at Illinois. Penn State is 1-11 their last 12 games and has given up at least 84 points in five of the last six games. The Nittany Lions have the 243th best defense per KenPom, dead last out of all teams from power conferences. While there’s some question on if Minnesota can close out a game in the second half, until Penn State’s defense shows they can do basically anything it’s hard to pick them to win a game.

Pick: Minnesota

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#9 Illinois Fighting Illini at #5 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Illinois has won ten in a row and will look to make it 11…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2-1-big-ten-basketball-102000996.html

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Publish date : 2026-02-01 10:20:00

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