Indiana at Michigan Breakdown & Prediction

Indiana at No. 12 Michigan

Time: 6PM ET

Venue: Crisler Center

TV: ESPN

Records:  Indiana 17-13, 7-10 Big Ten; Michigan 22-7, 14-3

Indiana stat leaders: Points – Yogi Ferrell (17.4 ppg); Rebounds – Noah Vonleh (9.1 rpg); Assists – Ferrell (3.8 apg); Steals – Will Sheehey (1.0 spg).

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (17.3 ppg); Rebounds – Jon Horford (4.6 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.5 apg); Steals – Caris LeVert (1.2 spg).

Current Streaks: Indiana L3, Michigan W4

Point Spread: Michigan -10.5

Prediction: This game should be interesting as Michigan certainly wants to hand a loss to Indiana, who has owned this series the past two seasons, while the Hoosiers need a strong run over the next week to make the NCAA Tournament, starting with a win today. I don’t think Indiana will get that win today, but I do expect this game to be somewhat of a dog fight. I was really impressed with Michigan’s performance at Illinois, but I don’t know that they can repeat that today. The Hoosiers will try to grind this one out and win with defense, because they can’t go in looking to match Michigan shot-for-shot. Ultimately, talent should win out. The Wolverines have more talent and still have a slim chance at making a run at a No. 1 seed should it win out and a few teams fall along the way. Michigan 68, Indiana 61

Indiana at Michigan Breakdown & Prediction

No. 2 Indiana at No. 7 Michigan

Time: 4PM ET

Venue: Crisler Center

TV: CBS

Records: Indiana 25-5, 13-4 Big Ten; Michigan 25-5, 12-5

Indiana stat leaders: Points – Cody Zeller (16.5 ppg); Rebounds – Zeller (8.0 rpg); Assists – Kevin Ferrell (4.3 apg); Steals – Victor Oladipo (2.3 spg).

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Trey Burke (19.1 ppg); Rebounds – Glenn Robinson III (5.5 rpg); Assists – Burke (6.9 apg); Steals – Burke (1.6 spg).

Current Streaks: Indiana L1, Michigan W2

Point Spread: Even

Prediction: I’m pretty torn on this one. Indiana has bounced back strong from all of its losses this season, but Michigan hasn’t lost yet at home. The Wolverines will need a full team effort to get this win. Michigan can’t afford to have some starters disappear as it has had in some of its road losses. Defense will be key as well. Michigan has proven it can play good defense in stretches, but it needs to make a commitment to defending against Indiana on Sunday. Ohio State showed that Indiana will back down to physical play, but the Wolverines aren’t known for throwing their weight around. Trey Burke can put his stamp on Big Ten, and maybe even National, Player of the Year honors if he leads Michigan to the win. I think he does that on Sunday. There is something about being at home that makes Michigan a tougher team, mentally and physically. It will be a grind until the end, but I think the Wolverines do a favor for MSU and Ohio State by beating the Hoosiers and creating a 4-way tie for the conference title. Michigan 70, Indiana 66

Indiana at Michigan State Breakdown & Prediction

No. 1 Indiana at No. 4 Michigan State

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Breslin Center

TV: ESPN

Records: Indiana 23-3, 11-2 Big Ten; Michigan State 22-4, 11-2

Indiana stat leaders: Points – Cody Zeller (16.6 ppg); Rebounds – Zeller (8.2 rpg); Assists – Kevin Ferrell (4.3 apg); Steals – Victor Oladipo (2.3 spg).

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Keith Appling (14.1 ppg); Rebounds – Adreian Payne (7.0 rpg); Assists – Appling (4.0 apg); Steals – Branden Dawson (1.8 spg).

Current Streaks: Indiana W3, Michigan State W5

Point Spread: Michigan State -1.5

Prediction: This game is about as big as it gets. The winner seems to have a pretty likely road to at least a share of the Big Ten title. If the Spartans bring the same energy they had last week against Michigan, I don’t see anyone beating them. Indiana should be better prepared for this game than the Wolverines were, and play an aggressive style of offense that is better suited to attack the MSU defense. In the first meeting, MSU was able to keep Cody Zeller from having a big game, but the Hoosiers still shot the ball very well, especially early in the game. Michigan State didn’t get much from Keith Appling due to foul trouble, so I expect him to have a big game Tuesday night. I think the Spartans will have plenty of confidence, and I think they have the better coach. Indiana isn’t going to go down quietly, but I do think the Hoosiers are going down in this one. It should be a classic. Michigan State 68, Indiana 65

Michigan at Indiana Breakdown & Prediction

No. 1 Michigan at No. 3 Indiana

Time: 9 p.m.

Venue: Assembly Hall

TV: ESPN

Records: Michigan 20-1, 7-1 Big Ten; Indiana 19-2, 7-1

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Trey Burke (17.9 ppg); Rebounds – Mitch McGary (6.0 rpg); Assists – Burke (7.1 apg); Steals – Burke (1.4 spg).

Indiana stat leaders: Points – Cody Zeller (16.1 ppg); Rebounds – Zeller (8.2 rpg); Assists – Kevin Ferrell (4.5 apg); Steals – Victor Oladipo (2.5 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan W4, Indiana W4

Point Spread: Indiana -4.5

Prediction: This game certainly has that “big game” feel to it, well before it even tips off. Indiana has looked suspect at home recently and I think Michigan has the scoring to be able to keep pace with the Hoosiers. With this game being in Bloomington, I expect the Hoosiers to control the pace, but if Michigan can shoot well, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. The key for Michigan to win is making a commitment on defense and not allowing Indiana to get too many easy transition points. On paper, I believe Michigan is the better team. However, I think Indiana will find a way to squeak this one out. Something tells me that Michigan isn’t quite ready to get that marquee road win just yet, but this game will certainly be a learning experience for them. I won’t at all be surprised if Michigan wins, but I have to go with my gut and take the Hoosiers at home. Indiana 81, Michigan 80

Michigan State at Indiana Breakdown & Prediction

No. 13 Michigan State at No. 7 Indiana

Time: 1 p.m.

Venue: Assembly Hall

TV: CBS

Records: Michigan State 17-3, 6-1 Big Ten; Indiana 17-2, 5-1

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Keith Appling (14.1 ppg); Rebounds – Derrick Nix (6.9 rpg); Assists – Appling (4.3 apg); Steals – Branden Dawson (1.8 spg).

Indiana stat leaders: Points – Cody Zeller (16.4 ppg); Rebounds – Zeller (8.2 rpg); Assists – Kevin Ferrell (4.6 apg); Steals – Victor Oladipo (2.3 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan State W6; Indiana W2

Point Spread: Indiana -9

Prediction: This game will give us a little insight as to how legit Michigan State is in the Big Ten title race. The Hoosiers are still considered to be one of the best, if not the best, team in the conference. Winning at Assembly Hall will be tough, but Michigan State can do so if it continues to play well on defense. Wisconsin was able to beat Indiana on the road with solid defense and timely shooting. Unfortunately for the Spartans, I don’t think they will get the offense they need. I also think that Indiana will give MSU problems in the post on both sides of the ball. MSU will keep it close, but Indiana will prove to be too tough in the end. Indiana 67, Michigan State 61

Who will win the Big Ten in basketball?

The start of Big Ten play isn’t far off in college basketball and this basketball season is shaping up to be everything the football season wasn’t.

The conference has six ranked teams, five of which are in the top 13. Both of those numbers are most of any conference in the country.

Illinois and Michigan are still unbeaten with Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio State all with one loss and Michigan State joining Iowa with two losses.

The Wolverines have the highest ranking (2), but the Hoosiers were the top team in the country until suffering an overtime loss to Butler last weekend. It still seems that Indiana is the best team in the Big Ten, but things should really be up for grabs this conference season.

There really seems to be about seven or eight teams that could all contend for the conference title, but the big guns seem to be Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio State, Minnesota and Michigan State.

Which one is most likely to come out on top?

I said before that I don’t think the Spartans have the talent and consistency to win the Big Ten this year. They just seem to play to the level of their competition, and that is a dangerous game when three losses in conference could take you out of the race.

I think Michigan has the talent, but they are still young and still have to have some concerns about defending in the paint. Glenn Robinson III is actually leading the team in rebounding at 6.5 per game. Jordan Morgan will need more of a presence inside. He is averaging just 4.8 boards per game right now.

So, who do you see winning the Big Ten this season? I am sticking with the preseason favorite, Indiana, because Tom Crean has slowly built the program into a solid team with strong depth. The Hoosiers can attack inside and out and have a competent coach leading the way.

Which team do you think will win the Big Ten title in basketball?