:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9011915/20130221_kkt_bl1_544.0.jpg)
Set to tip off in about negative two minutes (my bad on that one, guys)! Here's your one-stop Sunday thread to talk about it all, including:
Purdue (13-15, 6-9 B1G) at #17 Wisconsin (20-8, 11-4)
Noon CST, ESPN
The Badgers have won their last three games--against #16 OSU, Northwestern, and Nebraska--by an average of 27.0 ppg, and are cruising through yet another 10-win Big Ten season under Bo Ryan. Bo's certainly put himself in consideration for B1G Coach of the Year honors (and I would argue he's the front-runner), and the Badgers are looking to hold serve with their last two games against MSU and Penn State in order to set up yet another #5 seed or higher in the NCAA tournament.
The Boilermakers limp in after destroying offensive basketball in a 58-48 loss to Iowa on Wednesday. Terone Johnson figures to be a difference-maker for Purdue; he was shooting over 50% from distance in the four games before Iowa, before going 0-fer against the Hawks.
Look for Ryan Evans to keep shooting jump shot free throws.
#9 Michigan State (22-6, 11-4) at #4 Michigan (23-5, 10-5)
3pm CST, CBS
Despite both teams struggling as of late--the Spartans have dropped two in a row for the first time this season, and the Wolverines, um...this is awkward--they still hold their places in the Top 10 nationally and should put on quite the show for everyone from Crisler Arena. Michigan State took the last meeting of these two teams by 23 points, and with the Wolverines reeling from the month of February, they could sure use a fresh month on the calendar to their advantage with a win at home.
Keep an eye on Tim Hardaway, Jr., today: in East Lansing, he went 1/11 from the field with 2 points and was a non-factor in the blowout loss. Michigan will need a strong performance from him to handle Sparty. How Keith Appling handles Tre Burke and the Michigan backcourt may prove crucial to the outcome, as well, as Aaron Craft torched the junior guard for 21 in an Ohio State victory.
There are the games, talk about 'em below! I, for one, will be stuck at a bar in Wisconsin with a Michigan State fan in about an hour's time. There may not be enough beer in the world. Happy Sunday, everyone!