BASKETBALL

BTT Day 3: Recap, Preview, Open Thread

The Dream is dead. Long live the Dream.

By MNWildcat Mar 15, 2014, 10:31am CDT

In the real upset of the tournament, a ref made a shitty call.

Well, I have nothing left to care about. But I'm still "expected" to preview this crap or something. Whatever. I didn't wanna play in the BTT semifinals anyways. And Michigan State is just a bunch of teacher's pets trying to look good. So yeah.

12:40pm: #1 Michigan vs. #5 OSU

Yesterday: #1 Michigan def. #9 Illinois, 64-63

Michigan survived as massive scare, as Illinois packed it into a zone in the second half, forcing the Wolverines to shoot contested jumpers to venture inside to the waiting embrace of Nnanna Egwu. After the Illini took the lead late, Jordan Morgan hit a short-range floater off a pick-and-roll with Nik Stauskas to put Michigan up 1 -- but with 8 seconds on the clock. Illinois got the ball down court, but out of a timeout, Tracy Abrams' very similar floater came up just short.

Yesterday: #5 OSU def. #4 Nebrasketball, 71-67

Um...welcome to the B1G, I guess, Nebrasketball? Husker Power blew an 18-point lead which they built off a 12-0 run, during which Shovey McTwo-Arms (the only name I feel required to use for him at this point) lost his cool yet again after drawing--GASP--contact in a Big Ten basketball game. Shovey nonetheless continued to make an excellent case for BTT MVP, dropping 26 with 13 boards, while Terran Pettaway and the rest of the Huskers found their way into foul trouble. The Huskers shot poorly (36%) from the field, while the Buckeyes shot 46% from the field but only 22% from three. Oh, and there were 47 fouls and 26 turnovers to 21 assists. B1G basketball! Catch the fever! Oh, and Aaron Craft was there, I'm told. In summary, Aaron Craft beat Nebraska.

Today: Michigan needs to shoot better. They are very capable of this. Ohio State needs to shoot better. They may be capable of this, but choose to pick their moments in which to display it. I seriously doubt they will. Aaron Craft.

I Pick It: Michigan 68, OSU 61

3:05pm: #2 Wisconsin vs. #3 Michigan State

Yesterday: #2 Wisconsin hammerfucked #7 Minnesota, 83-57

The headline says it all. Ben Brust went for 29, Nigel Hayes had 15 and continues to be very frighteningly good, and something called Bronson Koenig went 4-4 from deep en route to 14 points. Minnesota now winds up solidly on the bubble, waiting for that horrible moment when they are relegated to the NIT.

Yesterday: #3 Michigan State put #11 Northwestern out of its misery, 67-51

Eleven turnovers are no way to go through life, Northwestern. When Michigan State shoots 45% from the field and 42% from deep, as well, you're in trouble. Branden Dawson (16) and Gary Harris (13) combined to do most of the damage for Michigan State, as Alex Olah played passable post defense and forced Adreian Payne into four fouls. That didn't really matter, though, as despite Drew Crawford scoring 21 on 7-15 shooting, 3-8 from deep, Northwestern was woefully outmatched. Thanks for everything, Drew. We'll miss you.

Today: Gonna be a rough game. I honestly can't tell you who's going to win, though Michigan State needs to establish their inside game with Payne early, get Kaminsky into some trouble, and force Wisconsin to defend the dribble-drive. The Badgers look offensively-equipped to shoot their way out of anything this year, though, so stay tuned!

I Pick It: Michigan State 61, Wisconsin 57

OTE BTT Pick'em Update!