BIG TEN Regular Season

[CBus13]

That's my point. If they're averaging 5K/game before conference play starts, imagine how raucous the crowd could be with a rival opponent? It's also the weekend and New Year's Eve to boot. A perfect opportunity to pack the arena with a quality opponent in town.

I have little knowledge about the arena options at OSU. Triad also mentioned St. John's arena. Was this where they played in the past?

Dave Chappelle is having his whatever at the Schott tonight so it's closed for basketball activities to set up for whatever he does.

The Covelli is a great environment and fun for volleyball and it keeps the fans close but it is a bummer that it's more limited in seating. St. John's Arena was the home of the basketball teams for 42 seasons, but it's not comfortable. Gene Smith basically said they won't use SJA anymore for basketball after the 2020 season. It's the one game a year where the wbb team plays not at the Schott.

 

[cancontent]

Wait, what are you concerned about? I believe they will be playing in St. John arena, which is a great venue to watch (think of NC’s Carmichael arena) and they still won’t sell out. So why the concern?

Ok, I did a search and they are playing at the 3,700 Corelli Center which is ODD considering they average, 5,000 fans per 5 home games this year and it is an Arch Rival. Place should be sold out with a raucous crowd!

I am rooting for Michigan as I do think tOSU is a tad overrated at #3 (yes, I want UCONN ahead of them) but they are very good and this game should be a good test. My money would be on tOSU though if I were betting…

I get where you're coming from, but where should OSU be ranked? They're undefeated. Have quality wins, including Michigan this afternoon, and they're doing it without key players. No different than UConn. They're neck and neck at this point.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

The press defense for tOSU was outstanding today. They're a darkhorse for the Final 4 at this point in the season.

 

[SECbbfan24]

The press defense for tOSU was outstanding today. They're a darkhorse for the Final 4 at this point in the season.

If they can get into post season healthy (get Sheldon back), I think they are a final four team. They can win in a lot of ways, they can score but even if their shots aren't falling, that defense is too much for most opponents.

 

[triaddukefan]

The press defense for tOSU was outstanding today. They're a darkhorse for the Final 4 at this point in the season.

Not sure you can call the #3 team in the country a darkhorse

 

[cancontent]

Not sure you can call the #3 team in the country a darkhorse

Some media experts didn't have them ahead of Iowa or Indiana in their own conference. I believe they were considered a Sweet 16/Elite 8 team at the beginning of the season.

 

[triaddukefan]

Some media experts didn't have them ahead of Iowa or Indiana in their own conference. I believe they were considered a Sweet 16/Elite 8 team at the beginning of the season.

You know how media experts are. A lot of them are on crack cocaine.


Edit: I just took a look at my Big 10 predictions in that Prediction thread.... Imma have to take back my comment on the crack cocaine.

 

[cancontent]

You know how media experts are. A lot of them are on crack cocaine.


Edit: I just took a look at my Big 10 predictions in that Prediction thread.... Imma have to take back my comment on the crack cocaine.

Et tu @triaddukefan !!??!!??!

 

[JellyBean]

Man! Michigan started out looking pretty good against Ohio State and managed to get within two points in the final 5-6 minutes of the game, but Ohio State was just too much in the end. Ohio State just quietly going about their business of winning and playing some fun basketball.

 

[cancontent]

Man! Michigan started out looking pretty good against Ohio State and managed to get within two points in the final 5-6 minutes of the game, but Ohio State was just too much in the end. Ohio State just quietly going about their business of winning and playing some fun basketball.

Turnovers and lack of composure if you ask me. The 3rd quarter was their undoing when they let OSU go on a run of 16-5 at one point. Disappointed in Brown's performance on both ends of the court. They needed her to be in control to win this game.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Way to Illinois. They are not the automatic win that they were the past half decade.

 

[cancontent]

Way to Illinois. They are not the automatic win that they were the past half decade.

Said they'd mess things up for teams. Conference play is going to be something else at this rate.

 

[GoChips20]

I watched the Iowa-Illinois game earlier today. I was very impressed with Illinois. They play well together, take smart shots, and generally look organized on both ends of the floor. Their three starting guards are outstanding, easily the best backcourt trio I’ve seen this year. Absolutely dynamic. All three had great stretches. Makira Cook, statistically the best of the three, didn’t have a great shooting game but took over for a period in the second quarter that put Illinois in front for good. Glad to see Genesis Bryant thriving after she was unable to crack the rotation at NC State. Also shoutout to Kendall Bostic, who at 6’2” is undersized in the post but plays her role very well.

Shauna Green looks like a home run hire and the runaway favorite for NCOY at this point. Illinois has a legitimate shot to win the league after going 1-13 last year.

 

[DefenseBB]

So the Big 10 is the most interesting of all the conferences to me. They have a plethora of top teams (for once!) with tOSU, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois and to a lesser degree Nebraska, Purdue and even Mich State. This is a wide open title up for grabs and any of the 3 or 4 of the top 6 teams could be in the top 10. Compared to the other conferences with either a truly elite team (Stanford, SC, UConn) or a group of lower top 10 to low teens ranked teams (ACC-ND, NC State, VPI, NC, Duke, FSU; Big12-Oklahoma, Texas, Baylor, Iowa St), these teams could make noise come March. And yes, I know ND is currently #4 in the country but let's see how the ACC Road games treats them before assailing them elite.

I am still suspect on tOSU as while Mikesell has been other worldly, Mikulasikova is "meh" as the 3rd option. she doesn't really rebound (5.5) or block shots (0) so her 14.3 pts per game is nice but....They need Jacy Sheldon back especially now with Madison Greene out for the year.

If Indiana can get Grace Berger back, that helps their case for #1 but heck, Illinois has put the league on notice with a great game against Iowa yesterday. They could surprise. Iowa still has the dynamic duo and Michigan has balance and Maryland has Miller and Sellers so this is why I purchased the Big10 tv package this year. I can't recall the Big10 ever being this deep in talented teams in all my years of watching or even researching WCBB.

 

[Bone Dog]

So the Big 10 is the most interesting of all the conferences to me. They have a plethora of top teams (for once!) with tOSU, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois and to a lesser degree Nebraska, Purdue and even Mich State. This is a wide open title up for grabs and any of the 3 or 4 of the top 6 teams could be in the top 10. Compared to the other conferences with either a truly elite team (Stanford, SC, UConn) or a group of lower top 10 to low teens ranked teams (ACC-ND, NC State, VPI, NC, Duke, FSU; Big12-Oklahoma, Texas, Baylor, Iowa St), these teams could make noise come March. And yes, I know ND is currently #4 in the country but let's see how the ACC Road games treats them before assailing them elite.

I am still suspect on tOSU as while Mikesell has been other worldly, Mikulasikova is "meh" as the 3rd option. she doesn't really rebound (5.5) or block shots (0) so her 14.3 pts per game is nice but....They need Jacy Sheldon back especially now with Madison Greene out for the year.

If Indiana can get Grace Berger back, that helps their case for #1 but heck, Illinois has put the league on notice with a great game against Iowa yesterday. They could surprise. Iowa still has the dynamic duo and Michigan has balance and Maryland has Miller and Sellers so this is why I purchased the Big10 tv package this year. I can't recall the Big10 ever being this deep in talented teams in all my years of watching or even researching WCBB.

I am a little more impressed by Mikulasikova, though you're right about her stats not being impressive. But in the games I've watched, she's seemed to be a key to their success, the backstop that allows Mikesell and that press to work so effectively.

 

[cancontent]

So the Big 10 is the most interesting of all the conferences to me. They have a plethora of top teams (for once!) with tOSU, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois and to a lesser degree Nebraska, Purdue and even Mich State. This is a wide open title up for grabs and any of the 3 or 4 of the top 6 teams could be in the top 10. Compared to the other conferences with either a truly elite team (Stanford, SC, UConn) or a group of lower top 10 to low teens ranked teams (ACC-ND, NC State, VPI, NC, Duke, FSU; Big12-Oklahoma, Texas, Baylor, Iowa St), these teams could make noise come March. And yes, I know ND is currently #4 in the country but let's see how the ACC Road games treats them before assailing them elite.

I am still suspect on tOSU as while Mikesell has been other worldly, Mikulasikova is "meh" as the 3rd option. she doesn't really rebound (5.5) or block shots (0) so her 14.3 pts per game is nice but....They need Jacy Sheldon back especially now with Madison Greene out for the year.

If Indiana can get Grace Berger back, that helps their case for #1 but heck, Illinois has put the league on notice with a great game against Iowa yesterday. They could surprise. Iowa still has the dynamic duo and Michigan has balance and Maryland has Miller and Sellers so this is why I purchased the Big10 tv package this year. I can't recall the Big10 ever being this deep in talented teams in all my years of watching or even researching WCBB.

Michigan and the word "balance" shouldn't be in the same sentence. They give off the impression they have balance, however the stats indicate weak spots. They also have a great knack at letting teams that shouldn't be able to stick around do so.

Today's game versus Penn State is another example. I was listening online and was flummoxed that they weren't able to put them away, considering their roster compared to PSU. It wasn't until the last 3 minutes of today's game where they were able to pull away, winning by 10 points. They were outscored both in bench points (17-5 for PSU) and points in the paint (30-26 for PSU). If it weren't for PSU lack of discipline and putting Michigan into the bonus early every quarter, they wouldn't have won in my opinion. The free throw differential is what saved them.

 

[DefenseBB]

I would call Kiser, Brown, Nolan and Phelia a balanced squad as any of those could lead UM in scoring for any one game. So yes, they are in one sentence and the season stats back me up. Kiser 17.3, Phelia 16.6, Brown 15.3 and Nolan 8.6 (but 17 today). If that's not balance, then I don't know what is.

Look, close games happen in certain league games as based on the tendencies and matchups. Heck SC lost to Mizzou last year, so one game is not a harbinger of things to come. Bottom line is UM won the game.

Check every top teams' results, close games against lower teams happen and blowouts among two good teams happen especially as the coaching gets better among all teams and the talent pool deepens.

 

[cancontent]

I would call Kiser, Brown, Nolan and Phelia a balanced squad as any of those could lead UM in scoring for any one game. So yes, they are in one sentence and the season stats back me up. Kiser 17.3, Phelia 16.6, Brown 15.3 and Nolan 8.6 (but 17 today). If that's not balance, then I don't know what is.

Look, close games happen in certain league games as based on the tendencies and matchups. Heck SC lost to Mizzou last year, so one game is not a harbinger of things to come. Bottom line is UM won the game.

Check every top teams' results, close games against lower teams happen and blowouts among two good teams happen especially as the coaching gets better among all teams and the talent pool deepens.

Balance to me is more than just the starters averaging double digits. The bench has to provide some support, especially when teams get into situations where they can't rely on their starters for some reason. Michigan is going to need more of their bench to come through as they continue through conference play. This has been a problem for a while, not just this season.

Brown is prone to foul trouble and turnovers. Phelia is still getting comfortable playing the PG position as that wasn't her role last season. When Brown was out due to foul trouble versus Ohio State, the offence was stagnant, making it easier for OSU to crank up the pressure. With the way conference play in the BIG10 is shaking out so far, they're going to need their bench to score more to support the starters over the long haul.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

So the Big 10 is the most interesting of all the conferences to me. They have a plethora of top teams (for once!) with tOSU, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois and to a lesser degree Nebraska, Purdue and even Mich State. This is a wide open title up for grabs and any of the 3 or 4 of the top 6 teams could be in the top 10. Compared to the other conferences with either a truly elite team (Stanford, SC, UConn) or a group of lower top 10 to low teens ranked teams (ACC-ND, NC State, VPI, NC, Duke, FSU; Big12-Oklahoma, Texas, Baylor, Iowa St), these teams could make noise come March. And yes, I know ND is currently #4 in the country but let's see how the ACC Road games treats them before assailing them elite.

I am still suspect on tOSU as while Mikesell has been other worldly, Mikulasikova is "meh" as the 3rd option. she doesn't really rebound (5.5) or block shots (0) so her 14.3 pts per game is nice but....They need Jacy Sheldon back especially now with Madison Greene out for the year.

If Indiana can get Grace Berger back, that helps their case for #1 but heck, Illinois has put the league on notice with a great game against Iowa yesterday. They could surprise. Iowa still has the dynamic duo and Michigan has balance and Maryland has Miller and Sellers so this is why I purchased the Big10 tv package this year. I can't recall the Big10 ever being this deep in talented teams in all my years of watching or even researching WCBB.

IMO, the Terps are not a top 10 team. Yes, they have Diamond Miller who is a top 4 WNBA draft pick but the rest of the team is meh. Plus, when Miller is in foul trouble, the team don't play that well. Against last place Rutgers, they got dominated in the 2nd quarter. Myers is a solid player but after great first halves, she tends to slow down in the 2nd half. (see South Carolina, UConn, Rutgers). Sellers have made the great freshman to sophomore jump. The rest of the team are just role players. Big difference from the great 2019-20 and 2020-21 teams.

 

[cancontent]

Not sure if this was posted. Unfortunate for Nebraska.

Weidner suffers season-ending injury

LINCOLN — During the Christmas break, the Huskers got some bad news when it was confirmed that Allison Weidner had suffered a season-ending knee injury during Nebraska’s most recent game,

norfolkdailynews.com

 

[JellyBean]

We got the Super Six (Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, and Iowa) at the top of the Big Ten with Illinois being that surprise team. Then we got the middle three (Michigan State, Purdue, and Nebraska). Then we have the rest of the Big Ten group Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Illinois is that good folks.

 

[cancontent]

We got the Super Six (Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, and Iowa) at the top of the Big Ten with Illinois being that surprise team. Then we got the middle three (Michigan State, Purdue, and Nebraska). Then we have the rest of the Big Ten group Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Illinois is that good folks.

I don't know if I'd put Illinois into that upper echelon just yet. Yes they're good, but we haven't seen them go up against the likes of Ohio State or Indiana for example.

Iowa's weak spots have been obvious during non-conference competition and are getting exposed further now. I'd put them in a second tier on their own just ahead of Michigan State, Purdue and Nebraska.

 

[CBus13]

I don't know if I'd put Illinois into that upper echelon just yet. Yes they're good, but we haven't seen them go up against the likes of Ohio State or Indiana for example.

Iowa's weak spots have been obvious during non-conference competition and are getting exposed further now. I'd put them in a second tier on their own just ahead of Michigan State, Purdue and Nebraska.

Illinois lost to Indiana by only 4 in their first game of the Big Ten schedule. The led 61-60 with :49 left in the fourth quarter. So, I think they are fair to be considered in that upper level of the Big Ten. They will play OSU @ OSU Sunday, and it's really anyone's game at this point.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

We got the Super Six (Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, and Iowa) at the top of the Big Ten with Illinois being that surprise team. Then we got the middle three (Michigan State, Purdue, and Nebraska). Then we have the rest of the Big Ten group Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Illinois is that good folks.

Illinois and Super Six just doesn't sound normal to me. The Ohio State game will be a huge test for them.

 

[cancontent]

Illinois lost to Indiana by only 4 in their first game of the Big Ten schedule. The led 61-60 with :49 left in the fourth quarter. So, I think they are fair to be considered in that upper level of the Big Ten. They will play OSU @ OSU Sunday, and it's really anyone's game at this point.

That's why I'm suggesting a second tier for them alone until they get into the meat of their conference schedule. They're much improved, but to put them in the same grouping as the others, I'm not sure just yet.

For comparison, Michigan State beat Indiana by 5 and lost to Ohio State by 6 points. Illinois has yet to face Ohio State and lost to Indiana as you noted. Michigan State have their losses, including being blasted Iowa State, however the rest of their losses have been by single digits. In conference play, they could have had a 3-1 or 4-0 record had they shot better from the free throw line if you look at the box scores of the Purdue and Ohio State games.

Michigan is perplexing to me. Lost to Ohio State by 8, lost to Toledo and barely hung on to beat UNC by 6 when they had a 20 point lead at one point during the game. They had their challenges with Penn State until late in the 4th quarter to win by 10. Should they be in the top 5? Maybe, maybe not. Their upcoming games against Iowa, Purdue and Michigan State should help clarify things.