With one game left to play, the Big Ten standings are pretty interesting. Indiana 6-0-0 14-2-2 Michigan I 3-3-0 8-6-1 Michigan State 3-3-0 11-6-0 Penn State 3-3-0 10-7-0 Wisconsin 3-3-0 9-8-0 Ohio State 2-3-0 10-6-1 Northwestern 0-5-0 8-10-0 The last remaining conference game is Ohio State-Northwestern. As much progress as NW has made - they are one of the most improved teams in the country - I think the Buckeyes win this one and join 4 other teams at 3-3 in the conference. Anyone have any idea how they will determine 2nd-5th place in the Big Ten? Also, which teams from this conference look like they're in good shape for at-large bids? (BTW, Wisconsin has a non-confernce game still to play against Marquette; Michigan still ha games with Detroit and Oakland and Penn State plays Lehigh.) I'd say Michigan State is in good shape and, if they beat NW, so is Ohio State. Penn State absolutely must beat Lehigh and even then, they likely need a win or 2 in the conference tournament. Barring a big run in the Big Ten tourney, I don't see Michigan or Wisconsin getting an at-large slot.
Don't help themselves with their non-conference scheduling. Although a couple of them played an Akron side which figured to be better than it was (and which Tim Lolla will have back, rest assured) by and large they either played Wright State/Bowling Green/IUPU or else got smacked around by the Cal Santa Barbaras and Richmonds. It's just a down year in the Big TeLeven, and it'll take some real breakout performances in the Tourney to convince me that muh of ANYBODY in this conference really deserves anything much else besides a nice end-of-season banquet.
Well duh. Sandon was questioning who else BESIDES Indiana should go. I was addressing his query. Try reading the ENTIRE thread before making like a dipshit.
Could this be the year, that the ONLY way a Big 10 team OTHER than Indiana gets into the NCAAs is by WINNING the play-in?? None of the other teams, frankly, have really distinguished themselves. But since the tournament pool is larger, I suppose two teams getting in is a high probability. In that case, my money is on whoever finishes second in the Big 10 tourney, assuming Indiana wins that play-in. This year, of course, that second place team could be ANYBODY, other than NU. I see no other at-large bids on the horizon.
Penn State knocked off #24 Lehigh 1-0 with Chad Severs scoring his 13th goal of the season. The dream is still alive! I think PSU will get an at-large bid if they win two games in the Big Ten Tourney.