{"id":4059,"date":"2013-03-17T10:43:44","date_gmt":"2013-03-17T14:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.broadstreetbelievers.com\/?p=4059"},"modified":"2013-11-08T14:38:55","modified_gmt":"2013-11-08T18:38:55","slug":"2013-ctc-the-big-ten-conference-314","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/?p=4059","title":{"rendered":"2013 CTC: The Big Ten Conference (FINAL)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"For a while, I thought that this conference might be the best conference I had ever seen. \u00a0And, it still might be, but the bottom falling out of Northwestern<\/strong>, the injury to Penn State’s<\/strong> Tim Frazier, and the disappointing play of Tubby Smith’s Minnesota<\/strong> team has given me pause on that assertion. \u00a0But, on the positive side, I didn’t see Illinois<\/strong> being a tournament team – and they clearly are. \u00a0Nebraska <\/strong>is better than people think, as is Purdue<\/strong>. \u00a0Iowa<\/strong> is really underrated, as well. \u00a0And, then there are those FIVE national title contenders. \u00a0Yes…five. \u00a0This tournament is going to be insane. \u00a0In fact, the potential Michigan<\/strong>–Wisconsin <\/strong>quarterfinal is a Sweet 16-caliber game, at least. \u00a0Then, the winner of that game could face Indiana<\/strong> in the semis – that’s a Final Four-caliber game. \u00a0As is the other possible semifinal between Ohio St. <\/strong>and Michigan St.<\/strong>. \u00a0This is gonna be a CRAZY four days in the Windy City.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

CHAMPIONSHIP (March 17th – 60 points)<\/h1>\n

#2 Ohio St. vs #4 Wisconsin<\/strong>
\nNot exactly the championship that this loaded <\/em>conference expected, but maybe it’s just the perfect example of just how loaded this conference is. \u00a0And, 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. \u00a0It’s hard to say where either of these teams will be seeded Sunday night, but it should be interesting either way.<\/p>\n

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. \u00a0Seven people (Caleb, GrossJr, J, LohseJr, RDoc, Stumpf, and Waters) have Ohio St. here. \u00a0Obviously, 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. \u00a0An impressive Big Ten performance for Cheryl will definitely end with a CTC crown.<\/p>\n

Ohio St. 50 – Wisconsin 43<\/em>
\nThe Badgers love the ugliness that this game epitomized, and they usually come out on the right end of these dentist-like games.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Don’t tell me there isn’t a prominent role in the NBA for a guy like that.\u00a0 I just hope he waits until 2014 to test that theory.\u00a0 Either way, the Buckeyes are happy with a 3rd Big Ten Championship in four years – VERY impressive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheryl misses a huge championship pick, as she was the only one with Wisconsin.\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

SEMIFINALS (March 16th – 40 points each)<\/h1>\n

#1 Indiana vs #4 Wisconsin<\/strong>
\nHo-hum, another underwhelming team on paper…another top-4 finish and a semifinals appearance in the Big Ten Tournament. \u00a0Just another year for Bo Ryan – even after losing John Gasser, his point guard, for the season in the first practice. \u00a0The Badgers took care of Michigan on Friday and now get Indiana on Saturday. \u00a0The Hoosiers pounded Illinois to get to the semis here.<\/p>\n

Cheryl and Lynch are the only two with Wisconsin here, with Cheryl taking the Badgers to win the tournament. \u00a0Caleb, Dave, Doogan, GrossJr, Lazarow, Primm, RDoc, Stumpf, and Teddy have already lost this game with Michigan. \u00a0Everyone else has IU, including 6 people (Alex, Alexi, Gersh, GrossSr, Lohse, and Mac), who picked them to win this tournament.<\/p>\n

Wisconsin 68 – Indiana 56<\/em>
\nBo Ryan, you are the man.\u00a0 How does he do it?\u00a0 Every single year.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Hell, their leading scorer JUMPS when he shoots free throws!\u00a0 And, they just beat arguably the most talented team in the country handly to head to the Big Ten Championship tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheryl and Lynch understand how good Bo is and picked up some nice points here.\u00a0 6 people lost their champ.<\/span><\/p>\n

#2 Ohio St. vs #3 Michigan St.<\/strong>
\nThis one is going to be great. \u00a0OSU 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. \u00a0This game will probably be won at the point guard spot. \u00a0Whoever plays better between Craft and Appling will probably lead his team to Sunday’s finals.<\/p>\n

This game is as big as it gets in the CTC. \u00a0A Day Twelve matchup, where all 24 people have \u00a0one 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). \u00a0 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. \u00a0This game will go a long way towards shaping the 2013 CTC’s final standings.<\/p>\n

Ohio St. 61 – Michigan St. 58<\/em>
\nIn 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.\u00a0 Neither team held a double-digit lead all day, and it was one of those truly great March basketball games.\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

This was as big a game for the CTC as there is.\u00a0 13 people got OSU, while the other 11 missed on MSU.\u00a0 Seven people kept their champion alive; seven people lost their champion.\u00a0 Wisconsin is the only thing standing in the way of another Ohio St. Big Ten Championship tomorrow…but Bo is ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

QUARTERFINALS (March 15th – 20 points each)<\/h1>\n

#1 Indiana vs #8 Illinois<\/strong>
\nAs thrilling as a 51-49 game can be, that’s what Thursday’s opening round win over Minnesota was for the Illini.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Tom Crean has Indiana back on the map.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The youngest of the Zeller family that already has two in the NBA might actually be the best.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Primm has already lost this game with Minnesota, but everyone else has Indiana, though that includes only\u00a06 people (Alex, Alexi, Gersh, GrossSr, Lohse, and Mac), who picked them to win this tournament.<\/p>\n

Indiana 80 – Illinois 64<\/em>
\nCody Zeller showed the world who had forgotten about him just how good he is by simply dominating the Illini in the first B1G quarterfinal. \u00a0Victor Oladipo had 12 points and 11 boards and shut down Thursday’s hero, Brandon Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone except Primm got the 20 points for this one. \u00a0Six people keep alive their champ.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

#4 Wisconsin vs #5 Michigan<\/strong>
\nYou like amazing stats?\u00a0 Here’s one:\u00a0 did you know that a Bo Ryan team has NEVER been outside of the top 4 in his conference.\u00a0 Not in 13 years at Wisconsin nor 3 years at UW-Milwaukee nor even 16 years at D-II Wisconsin-Platteville.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 But, seriously, how amazing is that?\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 This year is no different.\u00a0 Minnesota, Illinois, and MOST DEFINITELY Michigan, their quarterfinal opponent, are all WAY more talented than this Badgers squad.\u00a0 But, they all played yesterday, while UW sat in the hotel rooms enjoying their bye.\u00a0 That guy is awesome – not that it should surprise anyone, considering he’s a product of the Delaware Valley…<\/p>\n

But, I guess talent sways in the CTC, as only five people (Cheryl, J, Lynch, Mac, and Waters) took Wisconsin here.\u00a0 On the other hand, the field loves the Wolverines.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Cheryl took Wisconsin to win this tournament, while Lynch has them reaching the finals, before losing there.<\/p>\n

Wisconsin 68 – Michigan 59<\/em>
\nWhen 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. \u00a0Trae Jackson, Ben Brust, and Ryan Evans were all in double-figures, as the Badgers advance to the semis to take on #1 Indiana.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only five people got this one right (including Cheryl, who keeps her champ alive), but the Michigan loss did some serious bracket-busting here. \u00a0Dave, Primm, and Teddy lost their champ, while nine others lost their finalist.<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n

#2 Ohio St. vs #10 Nebraska<\/strong>
\nI 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?\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Either way, I love Aaron Craft – and not for the reasons that people may think.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0All 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.\u00a0 But, Craft is all of the things that his predecessors were, except for the off-the-charts annoyance factor.\u00a0 And, he is a legitimately good defender, despite the complete overstatements of his hustle and pound-the-floor grit creating a good defensive player.\u00a0 All that is smoke.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 He’s up on his defender your face with his CORE, not his hands.\u00a0 He doesn’t reach, he defends.\u00a0 That’s awesome.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 He’s not\u00a0a 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\u00a0is either willing and\/or capable of scoring on this team.\u00a0 Nebraska, who has been playing well lately, knocked off Purdue in Thursday’s first round and now get a shot at OSU.<\/p>\n

All 24 people have the Buckeyes in this one.\u00a0 OSU is also the most popular Big Ten champion pick (along with MSU)\u00a0in this year’s CTC with seven people (Caleb, GrossJr, J, LohseJr, RDoc, Stumpf, and Waters) taking the boys from Columbus.<\/p>\n

Ohio St. 71 – Nebraska 50<\/em>
\nNebraska dominated the first 7 or 8 minutes of this game. \u00a0Ohio St. dominated the last 32 minutes and will move on to Saturday’s semifinal against the winner of the late game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone got this one right, including seven people, who keep alive their champ.<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n

#3 Michigan St. vs #6 Iowa<\/strong>
\nTom Izzo looks like he’s doing it again.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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\u00a0February and March than they are in November and December.\u00a0 ALWAYS.\u00a0 There isn’t a coach\u00a0in the country that gets more improvement over his players over\u00a0a season and a career.\u00a0 Look at this frontcourt – Adrien Payne looked\u00a0clueless when he got there and now he might be a lottery pick.\u00a0\u00a0And, Derrick Nix\u00a0was\u00a0just a lot of pounds, and now he will probably play in the Association.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0The Hawkeyes really need this win to give the Committee a reason to include them in the field this year.<\/p>\n

Cheryl, Dave, GrossJr (a HUGE Spartan fan…ironically), J, and Teddy\u00a0all have Iowa in the upset here, though none of them have the Hawkeyes in the finals.\u00a0 Seven people (Bry, Doogan, Lazarow, Lynch, PapaCim, Rikey, and Scoot) took the Spartans to win this tournament.<\/p>\n

Michigan St. 59 – Iowa 56<\/em>
\nFor 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. \u00a0But, the Spartans – led by a fantastic performance by Adrien Payne – came all the way back and probably sent Iowa to the NIT. \u00a0The Spartans will advance to a great Saturday semifinal against Ohio St.<\/span><\/p>\n

Five people missed the big upset here, while seven people keep alive their champion.<\/span><\/p>\n

OPENING ROUND (March 14th – 10 points each)<\/h1>\n

#8 Illinois vs #9 Minnesota
\n<\/strong>This is a brutal first-round game. \u00a0I 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? \u00a0Unbelievable. \u00a0Tubby Smith didn’t do a great job with this Minnesota team that is kind of loaded. \u00a0I’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. \u00a0Illinois is just a really tough matchup with all those perimeter players and John Groce knows how to take advantage of it. \u00a0This could be a really fascinating opener to a PHENOMENAL tournament.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Primm is the only one to take Minnesota to beat Indiana in the quarters.<\/em><\/p>\n

Illinois 51 – Minnesota 49<\/em>
\nMADNESS! \u00a0Illini not named Brandon Paul shot 20% (8-40) in this game. \u00a0But, fortunately they had a Brandon Paul on their team, and he scored 25 points, including the game-winner \u00a0from the baseline, ending Minnesota’s B1G tournament and possibly putting them on the bubble. \u00a0Illinois will move to face Indiana at noon on Friday.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Seven people hit this one, including Lazarow, who now has a shot at a big upset Friday. \u00a0Primm lost a semifinalist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

#5 Michigan vs #12 Penn St.
\n<\/strong>With Tim Frazier, this PSU team would have been a lot more competitive in this league. \u00a0They are clearly not anywhere near the top of the conference, but Frazier is really, really <\/em>good. \u00a0But, he’s hurt, and this team is not good. \u00a0That being said, they did beat this Michigan team a couple weeks ago…huh? \u00a0This Michigan team is national championship good. \u00a0John Beilein is finally using his unique system with some SERIOUS athletes. \u00a0A bunch of second-generation superstars led by an any-generation star in Trey Burke. \u00a0The winner of this game gets a trip to the dentist’s office…aka, a quarterfinal matchup with Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

J is the only one with to go for broke with Penn St. here over Michigan.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Michigan 83 – Penn St. 66<\/em>
\nFor 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

J missed a huge upset pick here, while Dave, Primm, and Teddy keep alive their champion.<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n

#7 Purdue vs #10 Nebraska
\n<\/strong>This opening round matchup is really intriguing, as it pits two teams that are playing really well right now and can be real sleepers. \u00a0Matt 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. \u00a0The ‘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. \u00a0The winner of this one will get Ohio St. in Friday’s quarterfinal.<\/p>\n

Six people (Cheryle, Dave, Gersh, Lazarow, PapaCim, and Primm) took the ‘Huskers in the upset here, though none of them have them any further.\u00a0 No one has Purdue beating OSU in the quarters.<\/p>\n

Nebraska 57 – Purdue 55<\/em>
\nIn 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. \u00a0Ohio St. awaits the ‘Huskers on Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Six people missed this upset pick.<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n

#6 Iowa vs #11 Northwestern
\n<\/strong>Philly’s own, Fran McCaffery is in the process of building a real program at Iowa. \u00a0Watch out, Big Ten, this Hawkeye team is arriving. \u00a0Freshmen 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. \u00a0This is a tournament-caliber team that may not have scheduled well enough to get the nod. \u00a0But, two wins in this tournament might be enough – not that that is easy. \u00a0The first one, though, will come against a reeling NW team that is about to end another disappointing season. \u00a0The next one for the winner here will be Tom Izzo’s Michigan St. team in the quarters.<\/p>\n

Mac and Scoot are the only two to take NW here in the upset – neither of them have them beating MSU.\u00a0 Cheryl, Dave, GrossJr, J, and Teddy all have the Hawkeyes reaching the semis before they lose there.<\/p>\n

Iowa 73 – Northwestern 59<\/em>
\nThe 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mac and Scoot miss the upset here, while 5 people keep alive a semifinalist.<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n

CTC UPDATE<\/h1>\n

Championship Picks<\/strong><\/p>\n