For a while, I thought that this conference might be the best conference I had ever seen.  And, it still might be, but the bottom falling out of Northwestern, the injury to Penn State’s Tim Frazier, and the disappointing play of Tubby Smith’s Minnesota team has given me pause on that assertion.  But, on the positive side, I didn’t see Illinois being a tournament team – and they clearly are.  Nebraska is better than people think, as is Purdue.  Iowa is really underrated, as well.  And, then there are those FIVE national title contenders.  Yes…five.  This tournament is going to be insane.  In fact, the potential Michigan–Wisconsin quarterfinal is a Sweet 16-caliber game, at least.  Then, the winner of that game could face Indiana in the semis – that’s a Final Four-caliber game.  As is the other possible semifinal between Ohio St. and Michigan St..  This is gonna be a CRAZY four days in the Windy City.

CHAMPIONSHIP (March 17th – 60 points)

#2 Ohio St. vs #4 Wisconsin
Not exactly the championship that this loaded conference expected, but maybe it’s just the perfect example of just how loaded this conference is.  And, honestly, this might just be an example of how loaded this conference is in COACHING, as two of the best in America have gotten their teams to the title game here in the B1G.  It’s hard to say where either of these teams will be seeded Sunday night, but it should be interesting either way.

Cheryl is all alone with her Wisconsin title pick, so this would be a free and clear 120 points for her if the Badgers can win it.  Seven people (Caleb, GrossJr, J, LohseJr, RDoc, Stumpf, and Waters) have Ohio St. here.  Obviously, Cheryl will win the 2013 CTC Big Ten crown with a Wisconsin win here, but the amazing part is that she will win the outright title even if OSU wins.  An impressive Big Ten performance for Cheryl will definitely end with a CTC crown.

Ohio St. 50 – Wisconsin 43
The Badgers love the ugliness that this game epitomized, and they usually come out on the right end of these dentist-like games.  But, when scoring comes tough on both ends, a team with DeSean Thomas usually has a decided advantage because that dude can score from anywhere, any how.  Don’t tell me there isn’t a prominent role in the NBA for a guy like that.  I just hope he waits until 2014 to test that theory.  Either way, the Buckeyes are happy with a 3rd Big Ten Championship in four years – VERY impressive.

Cheryl misses a huge championship pick, as she was the only one with Wisconsin.  Seven people did get this right with the Bucks, but it didn’t matter, as Cheryl had already locked up the 2013 Big Ten title.

SEMIFINALS (March 16th – 40 points each)

#1 Indiana vs #4 Wisconsin
Ho-hum, another underwhelming team on paper…another top-4 finish and a semifinals appearance in the Big Ten Tournament.  Just another year for Bo Ryan – even after losing John Gasser, his point guard, for the season in the first practice.  The Badgers took care of Michigan on Friday and now get Indiana on Saturday.  The Hoosiers pounded Illinois to get to the semis here.

Cheryl and Lynch are the only two with Wisconsin here, with Cheryl taking the Badgers to win the tournament.  Caleb, Dave, Doogan, GrossJr, Lazarow, Primm, RDoc, Stumpf, and Teddy have already lost this game with Michigan.  Everyone else has IU, including 6 people (Alex, Alexi, Gersh, GrossSr, Lohse, and Mac), who picked them to win this tournament.

Wisconsin 68 – Indiana 56
Bo Ryan, you are the man.  How does he do it?  Every single year.  This team that looks like an intramural team at some D-2 school in the Midwest just keeps on beating up on the Big Ten year after year.  Hell, their leading scorer JUMPS when he shoots free throws!  And, they just beat arguably the most talented team in the country handly to head to the Big Ten Championship tomorrow.

Cheryl and Lynch understand how good Bo is and picked up some nice points here.  6 people lost their champ.

#2 Ohio St. vs #3 Michigan St.
This one is going to be great.  OSU is playing their best ball of the year right now and have a guy – DeSean Thomas – that is a nightmarish matchup for anyone, but especially Michigan St., who doesn’t really have anyone who can remotely match up with him.  This game will probably be won at the point guard spot.  Whoever plays better between Craft and Appling will probably lead his team to Sunday’s finals.

This game is as big as it gets in the CTC.  A Day Twelve matchup, where all 24 people have  one of the two teams, and it is almost completely split, with 13 for Ohio St. and 11 for Michigan St. (MSU people are Alex, Bry, Doogan, Gersh, GrossSr, Lazarow, Lynch, PapaCim, Primm, Rikey, and Scoot).   Seven people (Caleb, GrossJr, J, LohseJr, RDoc, Stumpf, and Waters) have the Buckeyes winning this tournament, and seven others (Bry, Doogan, Lazarow, Lynch, PapaCim, Rikey, and Scoot) have the Spartans winning it all.  This game will go a long way towards shaping the 2013 CTC’s final standings.

Ohio St. 61 – Michigan St. 58
In a game that felt like it should have been played two weeks from now, Thad Matta’s crew continues to roll through with their two-man wrecking crew of Aaron Craft and DeSean Thomas.  Neither team held a double-digit lead all day, and it was one of those truly great March basketball games.  Regardless of your rooting interest, you have to be glad just to be a fan of the sport when you get these two heavyweights pounding away as if the game really, REALLY matters…and, in college sports, it DOES.

This was as big a game for the CTC as there is.  13 people got OSU, while the other 11 missed on MSU.  Seven people kept their champion alive; seven people lost their champion.  Wisconsin is the only thing standing in the way of another Ohio St. Big Ten Championship tomorrow…but Bo is ready.

QUARTERFINALS (March 15th – 20 points each)

#1 Indiana vs #8 Illinois
As thrilling as a 51-49 game can be, that’s what Thursday’s opening round win over Minnesota was for the Illini.  Now, I’m no betting man, but I would wager that they might need more than 51 points if they want to shock the #1 Hoosiers here in the quarters.  Tom Crean has Indiana back on the map.  After some really dark years, this team has come all the way back and, to me, is the definitely the favorite to win this year’s national championship.  The rise of Victor Oladipo (which is extraordinary, by the way – he was a guy who was athletic and raw without a jumpshot just two years ago, and now he LEADS THE NATION in effective field goal percentage, as well as one of the best all-around defenders in the country) has made people completely forget about Cody Zeller.  The youngest of the Zeller family that already has two in the NBA might actually be the best.  And, to have a pure scorer on the block that loves to run the floor is a luxury that not many teams in college have any more.  Throw in a great backcourt of the solid, experienced dead-eye shooter in Jordan Hulls and the least talked about incredible freshman in the country, Yogi Ferrell (who, if he wasn’t on this stacked team, might be getting Marcus Smart-type accolades – he’s THAT good), and the ever-important “stretch-four” in Christian Watford (another future NBA’er), this team is completely loaded.

Primm has already lost this game with Minnesota, but everyone else has Indiana, though that includes only 6 people (Alex, Alexi, Gersh, GrossSr, Lohse, and Mac), who picked them to win this tournament.

Indiana 80 – Illinois 64
Cody Zeller showed the world who had forgotten about him just how good he is by simply dominating the Illini in the first B1G quarterfinal.  Victor Oladipo had 12 points and 11 boards and shut down Thursday’s hero, Brandon Paul.

Everyone except Primm got the 20 points for this one.  Six people keep alive their champ.

#4 Wisconsin vs #5 Michigan
You like amazing stats?  Here’s one:  did you know that a Bo Ryan team has NEVER been outside of the top 4 in his conference.  Not in 13 years at Wisconsin nor 3 years at UW-Milwaukee nor even 16 years at D-II Wisconsin-Platteville.  And, while I don’t know for sure, I’m guessing he was in the top 4 in the Interact League at Sun Valley High School and Brookhaven Middle School, as well.  But, seriously, how amazing is that?  13 years in the BIG TEN – and not at Indiana or Michigan or MSU or OSU, at WISCONSIN – and every single year, he’s been in the top 4.  And, every year, you can look at the roster and know that, from a talent perspective, there are at least one or two teams below them in the standings with WAY more talent.  This year is no different.  Minnesota, Illinois, and MOST DEFINITELY Michigan, their quarterfinal opponent, are all WAY more talented than this Badgers squad.  But, they all played yesterday, while UW sat in the hotel rooms enjoying their bye.  That guy is awesome – not that it should surprise anyone, considering he’s a product of the Delaware Valley…

But, I guess talent sways in the CTC, as only five people (Cheryl, J, Lynch, Mac, and Waters) took Wisconsin here.  On the other hand, the field loves the Wolverines.  Not only do 19 people have them winning on Friday, but nine people (Caleb, Dave, Doogan, GrossJr, Lazarow, Primm, RDoc, Stumpf, and Teddy) have them going to the finals, three of whom (Dave, Primm, and Teddy) have them winning the tournament.  Cheryl took Wisconsin to win this tournament, while Lynch has them reaching the finals, before losing there.

Wisconsin 68 – Michigan 59
When you allow 51 points in a half to a Bo Ryan-coached Wisconsin team, you’re not gonna win many of those games – even if you did hold them to 17 in the first half.  Trae Jackson, Ben Brust, and Ryan Evans were all in double-figures, as the Badgers advance to the semis to take on #1 Indiana.

Only five people got this one right (including Cheryl, who keeps her champ alive), but the Michigan loss did some serious bracket-busting here.  Dave, Primm, and Teddy lost their champ, while nine others lost their finalist.

#2 Ohio St. vs #10 Nebraska
I was wondering this a couple weeks ago – are Aaron Craft, DeShaun Thomas, and Thad Matta WAY better than we even think they are or is the supporting cast not as mediocre as they seem?  At least one of those two things has to be true or, otherwise, this OSU team wouldn’t be a legit Final Four contender, which they clearly appear to be, at this point.  Either way, I love Aaron Craft – and not for the reasons that people may think.  I love him simply because he’s a hard-nosed, gritty, red-faced, white point guard that gives way too much effort on every possession and yet is NOT annoying.  All the years of the Jerry McNamaras, Steve Blakes, and the grandaddy of them all, Wojo, where you just can’t help yourself but by so freaking annoyed by them has soured the basketball world on the white, high-effort point guards.  But, Craft is all of the things that his predecessors were, except for the off-the-charts annoyance factor.  And, he is a legitimately good defender, despite the complete overstatements of his hustle and pound-the-floor grit creating a good defensive player.  All that is smoke.  But, Craft actually moves his feet – with lateral quickness – stays in front of guys – instead of swiping for steals on their way by – and can pick up fullcourt without giving up a layup half the time.  He’s up on his defender your face with his CORE, not his hands.  He doesn’t reach, he defends.  That’s awesome.  And, then, on the other end of the floor, the Buckeyes have an offensive savant in DeSean Thomas, who can flat-out do it all.  He’s only of those Carmelo Anthony types where you just really don’t know what to do to stop him because he can, literally, score in every way imaginable – back-to-the-basket, three-point range, midrange jumper, catch-and-shoot, drive to the hole, spin baseline, you name it, he’s got it.  He’s not a great defender nor a willing passer, but for this team, he’s perfect because he’s probably the best pure scorer in the country, and no one else is either willing and/or capable of scoring on this team.  Nebraska, who has been playing well lately, knocked off Purdue in Thursday’s first round and now get a shot at OSU.

All 24 people have the Buckeyes in this one.  OSU is also the most popular Big Ten champion pick (along with MSU) in this year’s CTC with seven people (Caleb, GrossJr, J, LohseJr, RDoc, Stumpf, and Waters) taking the boys from Columbus.

Ohio St. 71 – Nebraska 50
Nebraska dominated the first 7 or 8 minutes of this game.  Ohio St. dominated the last 32 minutes and will move on to Saturday’s semifinal against the winner of the late game.

Everyone got this one right, including seven people, who keep alive their champ.

#3 Michigan St. vs #6 Iowa
Tom Izzo looks like he’s doing it again.  The Spartans are ready to take off this March, despite another “slow” start that, once again, smokescreened the nation into thinking that they weren’t elite.  Next November, remember these two things – (1) Tom Izzo plays the toughest November schedule in the country every year and (2) his teams are ALWAYS exponentially better in February and March than they are in November and December.  ALWAYS.  There isn’t a coach in the country that gets more improvement over his players over a season and a career.  Look at this frontcourt – Adrien Payne looked clueless when he got there and now he might be a lottery pick.  And, Derrick Nix was just a lot of pounds, and now he will probably play in the Association.  Throw in a backcourt of Keith Appling and Gary Harris, who are developing into one of the best backcourts in the country, and we don’t even have to talk about Brandon Dawson, who when he’s fully recovered from an ACL tear, is probably the best player on this team – at least on the offensive end.  The Hawkeyes really need this win to give the Committee a reason to include them in the field this year.

Cheryl, Dave, GrossJr (a HUGE Spartan fan…ironically), J, and Teddy all have Iowa in the upset here, though none of them have the Hawkeyes in the finals.  Seven people (Bry, Doogan, Lazarow, Lynch, PapaCim, Rikey, and Scoot) took the Spartans to win this tournament.

Michigan St. 59 – Iowa 56
For about 34 minutes, it looked for sure that the Hawkeyes were going to get the win they really needed to improve their at-large profile.  But, the Spartans – led by a fantastic performance by Adrien Payne – came all the way back and probably sent Iowa to the NIT.  The Spartans will advance to a great Saturday semifinal against Ohio St.

Five people missed the big upset here, while seven people keep alive their champion.

OPENING ROUND (March 14th – 10 points each)

#8 Illinois vs #9 Minnesota
This is a brutal first-round game.  I could see both teams making the Sweet 16 this year, and they face off in the FIRST ROUND of the B1G tourney, with the winner to get Indiana?  Unbelievable.  Tubby Smith didn’t do a great job with this Minnesota team that is kind of loaded.  I’m not sure they’re as good as their Top 5 performance in the beginning of the season, but they shouldn’t be on the bubble in any year.  Illinois is just a really tough matchup with all those perimeter players and John Groce knows how to take advantage of it.  This could be a really fascinating opener to a PHENOMENAL tournament.

Only seven people (Alexi, Doogan, Gersh, Lazarow, LohseJr, Rikey, and Waters) took the favored Illini here, with Lazarow taking them to beat Indiana on Friday.  Primm is the only one to take Minnesota to beat Indiana in the quarters.

Illinois 51 – Minnesota 49
MADNESS!  Illini not named Brandon Paul shot 20% (8-40) in this game.  But, fortunately they had a Brandon Paul on their team, and he scored 25 points, including the game-winner  from the baseline, ending Minnesota’s B1G tournament and possibly putting them on the bubble.  Illinois will move to face Indiana at noon on Friday.

Seven people hit this one, including Lazarow, who now has a shot at a big upset Friday.  Primm lost a semifinalist.

#5 Michigan vs #12 Penn St.
With Tim Frazier, this PSU team would have been a lot more competitive in this league.  They are clearly not anywhere near the top of the conference, but Frazier is really, really good.  But, he’s hurt, and this team is not good.  That being said, they did beat this Michigan team a couple weeks ago…huh?  This Michigan team is national championship good.  John Beilein is finally using his unique system with some SERIOUS athletes.  A bunch of second-generation superstars led by an any-generation star in Trey Burke.  The winner of this game gets a trip to the dentist’s office…aka, a quarterfinal matchup with Wisconsin.

J is the only one with to go for broke with Penn St. here over Michigan.  A slew of people have the Wolverines going to the semis and the finals here, with Dave, Primm, and Teddy picking them to win the whole tournament.

Michigan 83 – Penn St. 66
For a while, it looked like this young Nittany Lion team might pull off a shocker, but in the end, Michigan was just too talented and pounded PSU in the second half to move on to a quarterfinal matchup with Wisconsin.

J missed a huge upset pick here, while Dave, Primm, and Teddy keep alive their champion.

#7 Purdue vs #10 Nebraska
This opening round matchup is really intriguing, as it pits two teams that are playing really well right now and can be real sleepers.  Matt Painter has proven himself this year, as he doesn’t have the experience (or talent) that he has had in the past, but has still looked good in a really tough league.  The ‘Huskers – in their second B1G season – really started to come together down the stretch and are putting the pieces in place for a much improved team next year.  The winner of this one will get Ohio St. in Friday’s quarterfinal.

Six people (Cheryle, Dave, Gersh, Lazarow, PapaCim, and Primm) took the ‘Huskers in the upset here, though none of them have them any further.  No one has Purdue beating OSU in the quarters.

Nebraska 57 – Purdue 55
In the first upset of the B1G Tournament, Nebraska built a double-digit lead and held on down the stretch to end Purdue’s season prematurely.  Ohio St. awaits the ‘Huskers on Friday.

Six people missed this upset pick.

#6 Iowa vs #11 Northwestern
Philly’s own, Fran McCaffery is in the process of building a real program at Iowa.  Watch out, Big Ten, this Hawkeye team is arriving.  Freshmen Mike Gesell and Adam Woodbury join a really, really solid group of SOs and JRs, like Devyn Marble, Zach McCabe, and the key to it all, Aaron White.  This is a tournament-caliber team that may not have scheduled well enough to get the nod.  But, two wins in this tournament might be enough – not that that is easy.  The first one, though, will come against a reeling NW team that is about to end another disappointing season.  The next one for the winner here will be Tom Izzo’s Michigan St. team in the quarters.

Mac and Scoot are the only two to take NW here in the upset – neither of them have them beating MSU.  Cheryl, Dave, GrossJr, J, and Teddy all have the Hawkeyes reaching the semis before they lose there.

Iowa 73 – Northwestern 59
The total collapse of Northwestern is complete, while cementing an NCAA Tournament bid is still ongoing for Iowa, as the Hawkeyes pound NW in the nightcap of a decently interesting opening day in the B1G.

Mac and Scoot miss the upset here, while 5 people keep alive a semifinalist.

CTC UPDATE

Championship Picks

• #1 Indiana (6)
• #2 Ohio St. (7)
• #3 Michigan St. (7)
• #4 Wisconsin (1)
• #5 Michigan (3)

Biggest Upsets

• R1 – #12 Penn St. (J)
• QF – #9 Minnesota (Primm)
• SF – #5 Michigan (many)
• Champ – #5 Michigan (Dave, Primm & Teddy)

Previous CTC Champions

• 2008 – Bry
• 2009 – Bry
• 2010 – Waters
• 2011 – Primm
• 2012 – Gersh & Stri

2013 Scores

1. Cheryl – 245 (’13)
2. Waters – 230 (’10)
3. LohseJr – 210
4. Caleb  – 200
5. RDoc – 200
6. Stumpf – 200
7. J – 190
8. Lynch  – 185
9. GrossJr – 180
10. Dave – 140
11. Alexi – 130
12. Gersh – 130 (’12)
13. Mac – 130
14. Lohse – 120
15. PapaCim – 120
16. Lazarow – 110
17. Primm – 100 (’11)
18. Teddy – 100
19. Doogan – 90
20. Rikey – 90
21. Alex – 80
22. Bry – 80 (’08, ’09)
23. GrossSr – 80
24. Scoot – 70