Lots of sports on today. West Ham already lost to Manchester City, but they acquitted themselves nicely. Northwestern basketball can’t hurt me this weekend. Let’s get to it.
Big Ten Basketball Previews
Saturday, February 27
#3 Michigan Wolverines at Indiana Hoosiers
11am | FOX | Michigan -8 | O/U 138.5
RockyMtnBlue: A person committed to this role would watch an Indiana game or two. Or maybe peruse an Indiana board to see what their own fans think. Yeah. I’m not gonna do that. I do see that Indiana is ranked 34th in Kenpom, so it’s misleading to think it’s an easy game against the league’s 9th place team.
Hunter Dickinson vs TJD might be a fantastic show, but I like the rest of the matchup for Michigan. This feels like a game Michigan leads by 5 or so at halftime and wins by 12-18.
Having typed that previous sentence, though, we now know Assembly Hall will be “Kohl Center - The Sequel” and my Wolverines get their asses handed to them. Probably by 37. This won’t be all bad as it might give us another year of Archie.
You’re welcome, Big Ten.
Candystripes: Yeah, no, we’re gonna get housed, and Archie’s gonna want to consider updating his resume for his next gig sooner rather than later.
Poll
game
This poll is closed
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86%
wolverines wrap up the big ten, probably?
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13%
archie miller saves his job
#5 Illinois Fighting Illini at #23 wisconsin badgers
1pm | ESPN | wisc -3.5 | O/U 136.5
Rumor has it Illinois is not good when they play at wisconsin. (Turns out they’re 5-15.)
Poll
after this game, illinois will be ___ in the kohl center
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Nebraska Cornhuskers
6pm | BTN | Minn -2.5 | O/U 146
WSR: Minnesota plays Nebraska in basketball. The last time Minnesota played basketball they lost to Northwestern. Richard Pitino should consider seppuku for dishonoring his ancestors and Goldy Gopher.
Assuming that our basketball program isn’t disbanded for this disgrace, we should probably try to beat Nebraska before hiring Niko Medved. If Liam Robbins is back that should help the process, but not having him and Gabe Kalscheur against the purple cats still doesn’t justify the loss.
Win today and maybe I’ll wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors in the near future, DickPit.
Jesse: So let me see if I can preview this game in such a way that I DON’T sound redundant. Nebraska has played [waves hands indiscriminately] games in the last [waves hands indiscriminately some more] days and is absolutely gassed. I will hand it to Hoiberg and the team, they’re trying, but this team just doesn’t seem to have enough to play entire games. Teddy Allen, Trey McGowens, Dalano Banton, Kobe Webster and Derrick Walker are playing insane minutes right now, and while they will be remembered as one of the worst seasons in Nebraska basketball history, they deserve a lot of respect that the Big Ten has NOT shown them. This - as has been discussed - continues to be the dumbest season and none of this should be happening.
Poll
pick game
This poll is closed
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20%
gopher
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23%
husker
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55%
i miss chair
Sunday, February 28
Michigan State Spartans at Maryland Terrapins
1pm | CBS
Green Akers: On the one hand, I kind of like the matchup for MSU because it’s the first time since the Nebraska game they see an opponent without a stud in the post (yes, John Harrar counts).
On the other, it’s MSU’s 4th game in 9 days while Maryland just got to rest for a week, and Izzo has finally shortened his rotation a bit, so Henry, Watts, Langford, and Brown have all been playing big minutes.
The Terps have kind of put some things together over their last few games, BUT history also tells us we’re overdue for Turgeon to Turge it up and hamstring his own team. This is a very complicated game, MNW; lot of ins, lot of outs, lot of what-have-yous, and, uhh, lot of strands to keep in my head.
DJ Carver: I agree with Andrew on this. Turgeon is well past due to hit his patented end of season slump where he tries his best to fall out of the tournament. Aaron Wiggins has been on absolute fire the last 8 games and the defense looks vastly improved.
So, naturally, I am predicting Wiggins will come back to reality this game and Terps fans will be wondering where the defense has gone.
larry31: So, MSU has gone full mid-90’s Knicks mode. I think all MD players should wear the Darryl Mosell face guard, so they don’t get Ayo’d. MD is playing excellent defense and has been resting since Sunday.
But, MSU has found their groove. Normally, I would give this one to MSU. However, MSU has played TWO games in the same time span. So, Sunday will be MSU’s third game of the week while MD will be playing their first game of the week. I think this game will come down to the last possession. Don’t know if MSU will be worn out, or if MD will be thrown off their game by the MSU’s “physicality.”
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sparturtle
#9 Iowa Hawkeyes at #4 Ohio State Buckeyes
3pm | CBS
Stew: Jack Nunge is out for the season. C.J. Frederick is still limited. Connor McCaffery got dinged up against Michigan. Iowa was already having a disappointing season and lost a few very winnable games.
The conference goals are lost. Wouldn’t at all be surprised if the team just folded and get just run out of the building.
MaximumSam: The theme of the day is despite the Big Ten being the best conference in years, nearly every team is in a fight to the death with self loathing and despair. So comes Ohio State, losers of two straight, with no word on the availability of Kyle Young. If he is out again, Luka Garza might as well pick his number.
Ohio State looked pretty disjointed against Michigan State, and they relied too much on Washington and Liddell. Iowa can help your offense turn around, but even then I struggle to see how they defend anyone without a healthy starting lineup. It is going to be a long Sunday afternoon.
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you know what it is
Monday, March 1
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Nebraska
6pm | BTN
RU in VA: So, this late season game that doesn’t mean anything is a thing now. Rutgers probably doesn’t need it to go dancing buuuuuuut let’s try and avoid Texas in the first round of the Tournament.
/checks Nebraska’s schedule this year...sees 5 wins... sees two Dakotas, a Mcneese, and a... Doane?*. You bet your ass I spent 15 minutes Googling Doane University. 50k a year for a middling private university in Nebraska? Sign me up. US News and World Report says it’s “Rural”. Check, check, and check. Fun facts—Tommie Frazier coached at Doane, and it won the 1950 Bean Bowl against Colorado State.
Doane is the perfect euphemism for Nebraska athletics, fortunately. Too expensive, punches way above its weight only to get knocked out cold, and it’s only success was during the AOL floppy disk days.
Rutgers has the talent and coaching to win by 30, but will they? Of course not—they’ll win by 4 after trailing 75% of the game.
Poll
the distance game
FCS Football Watch Guide
Saturday Morning
Don’t Watch This
Northern Iowa Panthers (-7, O/U 39) at Youngstown State Penguins [11am, ESPN+]
Robert Morris Colonials at James Madison Dukes (-38.5, O/U 54) [11am, FloSports]
Wofford Terriers (-3.5, O/U 44) at Chattanooga Mocs [11am, ESPN+]
Incarnate Word Cardinals at McNeese Cowboys (-11, O/U 57) [12pm, ESPN+]
Western Carolina Catamounts at Samford Bulldogs (-15.5, O/U 57.5) [12pm, ESPN+]
Missouri State Bears (-6, O/U 50) at Western Illinois Leathernecks [12pm, ESPN+]
South Dakota State Jackrabbits (-9, O/U 48) at North Dakota Fighting Hawks [12pm, ESPN+]
Furman Paladins (-21, O/U 63) at VMI Keydets [12:30pm, ESPN+]
{MBB} #14 Texas Longhorns at #18 Texas Tech Red Raiders [11am, CBS]
{MBB} Georgetown Hoyas at DePaul Blue Demons [11am, FS1]
{MBB} Liberty Flames at Bellarmine Knights [11am, ESPNU]
{Serie A} Bologna vs. Lazio [11am, ESPN]
{Liga MX} Juarez vs. Atletico San Luis [12pm, TUDN]
Watch That
{MBB} Michigan State at Indiana [11am, FOX]
{EPL} Leeds United vs. Aston Villa [11:30am, Peaccock]
{Bundesliga} RB Leipzig vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach [11:30am, ESPN+]
Howard Bison at Delaware State Hornets
11am | ESPN3 | Howard -2.5 | O/U 51
South Dakota Coyotes at #7 Illinois State Redbirds
12pm | ESPN+ | ILSt -6 | O/U 48.5
Howard, Delaware State, and South Carolina State are the only three MEAC schools competing this spring, with each playing the other two twice. The Hornets’ schedule includes a historic April game in which the historically-black college hosts its in-state rival for the first time ever in the Route 1 Rivalry.
By the by, if you’re ever looking for a site that teaches you a lot and really covers what I would like OTE to be, I love HBCU Gameday.
Closer to home, the Redbirds are somehow only a touchdown favorite at home against the ‘Yotes. I don’t know why, but I’d watch it.
Poll
Happy Saturday! What’s on?
This poll is closed
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24%
Michigan State-Indiana
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10%
Howard-Delaware State
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2%
Coyotes-Redbirds
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27%
Something else
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35%
Oh God not polls again
Saturday Afternoon
Don’t Watch This
{MBB} Illinois at wisconsin [1pm, ESPN, almost certainly Dakich]
{MBB} Washington Huskies at Arizona Wildcats [1pm, CBS]
{MBB} LSU Tigers at #20 Arkansas Razorbacks [1pm, ESPN2]
{MBB} Florida Gators at Kentucky Wildcats [3pm, CBS]
Elon Phoenix (-18, O/U 50.5) at Gardner-Webb Running Bulldogs [2pm, ESPN+]
The Citadel Bulldogs (-4, O/U 51) at Mercer Bears [2:30pm]
Lamar Cardinals at Nicholls Colonels (-22, O/U 54.5) [3pm, ESPN+]
{Eredivisie} Vitesse vs. VVV [1pm, ESPN+]
{Serie A} Hellas Verona vs. Juventus [1:45pm, ESPN+]
{EPL} Newcastle United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers [2pm, Peacock]
{La Liga} Getafe vs. Valencia [2pm, beIN]
Watch That
{WBB} #11 Indiana at #15 Ohio State
2pm | BTN
{MBB} Oklahoma State Cowboys at #7 Oklahoma Sooners
2pm | ABC | OU -5 | O/U 138.5
{MBB} #11 Florida State Seminoles at North Carolina Tar Heels
3pm | ESPN | FSU -2 | O/U 151
{MBB} Boise State Broncos at #22 San Diego State Aztecs
3pm | CBSSN | SDSU -6.5 | O/U 136
Dixie State Trailblazers at #21 Tarleton State Texans
2pm | ESPN+
Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
2pm | PlutoTV | NAU -7 | O/U 61.5
Welcome, Texans! Our favorite Purple Poos didn’t just beat FBS New Mexico State, they beat them to the point that the Aggies should consider dropping to D-II.
Today they get fellow FCS newcomer Dixie State, who found a way to jam so much collar-tugging racism into one school that the 1923 Gopher football team probably thinks they should give it a rest.
Re: Northern Arizona, a story. One of my students in Minnesota is a student-athlete from Idaho who wore a block “IDAHO” crewneck to class one day. I go “Oh man, the Vandals?!” and the poor girl looks at me like I’m insane. She says “How did you know that?!”
...rather than say “Just a big football guy,” I start talking about the Kibbie Dome and how the Vandals just went to FCS and does she like Idaho football?
And then I mentioned PlutoTV. And how I watch it. And how she should download it.
I am a crazy person who should not be allowed in civil society.
With that in mind, it’s time for the GRAND CANYON RIVALRY:
We're loaded up and headed to Flagstaff with the Hinton Burdick Grand Canyon Trophy! See ya soon @NAU_Football ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/sDOcekppZv
— SUU Football (@SUUFB) September 21, 2018
...I am a crazy person who should not be allowed in civil society.
Poll
Good afternoon! It might be close to 50 in the Twin Cities. As such, I will...
This poll is closed
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34%
watch Illinois-wisconsin
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13%
Dixie State-Tarleton time!
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7%
GRAND CANYON RIVALRY
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44%
i’ll take a walk or something nice
Saturday Evening
Don’t Watch This
{MBB} Minnesota at Nebraska [gross][WSR note: Do not watch.]
{MBB} Southern Illinois Salukis at #21 Loyola-Chicago Ramblers [5pm, ESPN2]
{MBB} Northern Iowa Panthers at Illinois State Redbirds [5pm, CBSSN]
{MBB} TCU Horned Frogs at Iowa State Cyclones [5pm, ESPNU]
{MBB} #19 USC Trojans at Utah Utes [7pm, ESPN2, unless Walton’s on the call, then it’s a must-watch]
Weber State Wildcats (-18.5, O/U 54.5) at Idaho State Bengals [5pm, PlutoTV]
Eastern Washington Eagles at Idaho Vandals [5:05pm, PlutoTV]
{Liga MX} Toluca vs. Atlas [5pm, ESPN Deportes]
Watch That
Eastern Washington Eagles at Idaho Vandals
5:05pm | PlutoTV | EWU -5.5 | O/U 62
SE Louisiana Lions at Sam Houston State Bearkats
6pm | ESPN+ | SHSU -6 | O/U 54
{MBB} The Classic:
N.C. Central Eagles at North Carolina A&T Aggies
7pm | ESPNU | NCAT -3.5 | O/U 140
{Liga MX} America vs. Pachuca [7pm, ESPN+]
Some of you might say we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel. I would say we just need a bigger barrel. More FCS games. More D-II games.
I’m not quite sure how Paul Petrino is still the coach of Idaho.
Poll
Good evening! Fire up the grill and hang outside, but if you must be in, you’re watching...
This poll is closed
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38%
Minnesota-Nebraska, as I hate myself
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5%
Eastern Washington-Idaho
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0%
SE Louisiana-Sam Houston State
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13%
Some other college hoops
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5%
Maybe soccer?
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36%
I’ll have a bonfire.
It’s Late and I’m Drunk...
Don’t Watch This
{MBB} Loyola Marymount Lions at #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs [9pm, ESPN]
{MBB} Saint Mary’s Gaels at BYU Cougars [9pm, ESPNU]
{MBB} CSU Northridge Matadors at CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners [9pm, ESPN3]
Watch That
{MBB} UCLA Bruins at Colorado Buffaloes
9pm | ESPN2 | Colo -6 | O/U 136.5
{MBB} UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at UC Riverside Highlanders
9pm | ESPN3 | UCSB -2 | O/U 132
{Liga MX} Leon vs. Cruz Azul [9pm, ESPN Deportes + TUDN]
{A-League} Sydney FC vs. Macarthur [11:05pm, ESPN+]
Hello! Welcome back to Australian soccer!
Last night we missed a 3-2 Adelaide win over Western Sydney and a 4-3 Western United scrap with Melbourne Victory—this is the low-quality, high-intensity soccer you’re here for. Stay up, won’t you? Have a beer. Watch some bad sports.
Poll
It’s late and I’m drunk...
This poll is closed
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22%
Loyola-Gonzaga, as I enjoy public executions
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8%
Saint Mary’s-BYU, because I think my CPAC programming is over but I just need more white people in my life
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5%
UCLA-Colorado, because maybe Walton?
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2%
Some other bad California basketball
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22%
BAD WEIRD SOCCER IN STRANGE PLACES
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38%
lol i passed out hours ago
Sunday Afternoon
Don’t Watch This
{MBB} Michigan State at Maryland
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (-13.5, O/U 49.5) at Eastern Illinois Panthers [2pm, ESPN+]
Tennessee State Tigers at Austin Peay Governors (-14.5, O/U 57.5) [2pm, ESPN+]
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Jacksonville State Gamecocks (-13.5, O/U 55.5) [3pm, ESPN+]
Watch That
UT-Martin Skyhawks at Murray State Racers
2pm | ESPN+ | UTM -7 | O/U 51.5
{MBB} Iowa at Ohio State
Football on Sundays. God bless America.
Poll
Sunday afternoon?! WOW!
This poll is closed
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39%
Big Ten basketball all the way through.
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21%
Just Michigan State-Maryland
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21%
Just Iowa-Ohio State
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7%
UT-Martin/Murray State?! YOU GOT IT
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9%
I dunno, something else.
Here’s your schedule for the week. The big schedule with all the other basketball stuff is below. Behave yourselves this weekend.