B1G Basketball Diaries: Down Goes Michigan

B1G Basketball Diaries is The Champaign Room's recap of all the basketballs being basketballed around the Big Ten. It is not about Leonardo DiCaprio in any way.

Ohio State 56 Michigan 53

Ohio State tried to blow it. It really did. The Buckeyes went all "Wisconsin against Illinois" early in this game, as Michigan only had 3 points in the first six minutes, but the Wolverines would work their way back in the game before halftime and continue doing so in the second half. Eventually the Wolverines would tie it at 46-46 before Ohio State pulled away in the final minutes to ensure there were no more unbeatens left in the country.

Deshaun Thomas had 20 points to lead Ohio State and while Trey Burke had 15 for Michigan, he was only 4-for-13 from the field as Michigan struggled in its first real road test -- all offense intended, Northwestern. Oh, and now Michigan gets to travel to Minnesota.

Purdue 62 Penn State 40

I don't know how good Purdue actually is, but playing Penn State sure makes you look better. The Boilermakers hit 45% of their shots and actually shot better from three (50%) than they did the free throw line (48%). Meanwhile Penn State was terrible, shooting 26% from the floor and generally looking like Penn State basketball. You know, minus Talor Battle killing the Illini because go to hell Talor Battle. Hate you so much.

Iowa 70 Northwestern 50

If you watched the first half of this game in its entirety, congratulations, you are an idiot. Seriously, this game was terrible in the first half, as it was 25-15 Hawkeyes at the half. The second half was much better but the highlight of the game was the ESPNU announcer constantly saying that Welsh-Ryan Arena was in downtown Chicago. Because the stupidity of others is always entertaining.

Michigan State 66 Nebraska 56

You know, there was a while there that Nebraska was not only hanging with Michigan State in the first half, but leading the game. Hell, Nebraska had a 40-39 lead with 13 minutes to play and it was 55-54 Michigan State with 2 minutes to play. Things would fall apart down the stretch, though, as a Gary Harris three would pretty much seal it after that.

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