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Ohio State holds up the Big Ten Tournament trophy.
It was a classic defensive battle between two of the Big Ten’s best. It was a low scoring affair but it was still a fun game to watch. The first half was an old-fashioned back and forth battle as both teams traded shots and kept challenging one another. Neither team would be denied as the first half was grind to the finish with Wisconsin taking a 24-23 lead at halftime.
The second half began as more of the same for the most part. There were five ties and six lead changes for the first 14 minutes and 30 seconds. Then with 5:35 remaining, Ohio State took over. DeShaun Thomas, Aaron Craft, and LaQuinton Ross began to drain one shot after another. They took a page out of Wisconsin’s playbook as their defense was the one to step up and lock it down.
They held Wisconsin to just 19 second half points, and just four points in the final seven minutes. They also managed to only allow one Wisconsin player to score in double figures. Badgers guard Traevon Jackson finished the game with 10 points.
Not only did Wisconsin’s defense fail to perform to the level they had been performing since Friday, their offense also fizzled out after scoring a total of 136 points in their first two tournament games. Ohio State takes home the 2013 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship by the final score of 50-43.
Ohio State performing the ceremonial cutting down of the nets after their championship victory. Here is the box score from today’s game:
Ohio State gets the Big Ten’s automatic bid into the 2013 NCAA Tournament, but six other Big Ten teams got at-large bids. Here is the list of Big Ten teams who were selected:
Indiana #1 East Region
Ohio State #2 West Region
Michigan State #3 Midwest Region
Michigan #4 South Region
Wisconsin #5 West Region
Illinois #7 East Region
Minnesota #11 South Region
Minnesota gets in ahead of Iowa despite the fact that they lost their first round game to Illinois. Iowa’s dominating performance over Northwestern, combined with a 21-11 regular season record was not enough to convince the committee to let them in. But I can guarantee that they will be a top five team in the National Invitational Tournament.
Here is the full bracket for the 2013 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament:
I’d thank to thank the Big Ten Conference for their hospitality these last four days.
The updated bracket for this year’s tournament…..
Today is the day where all parties involved need to give it everything they have. Today is about more than just a tournament victory, it’s about more than just a championship trophy, it’s about an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Wisconsin Badgers and the Ohio State Buckeyes are well aware of what’s at stake here. Ohio State is looking for redemption as they lost last year’s title game to Michigan State, this is their fourth straight tournament championship game appearance. They are 2-2 in that stretch.
As for Wisconsin, this is their first Big Ten Tournament Championship game since 2008, and their fourth in school history. They are also 2-2 in Big Ten title games. Yesterday both teams came off of some thrilling victories. Wisconsin slowed down the #1 seed Indiana Hoosiers and beat them 68-56.
Ohio State put on a clinic in the second half to get past Michigan State 61-58. Wisconsin’s formula for success these last few days has been their defense. But as good as their defense has been, their offense has also stepped up in a big way.
The Badgers have scored 136 points so far in this year’s tournament. Bo Ryan’s team isn’t exactly known for their offense. The Buckeyes have gotten it done in three ways:
1. Back-to-back double digit performances from forward DeShaun Thomas.
2. Production from their bench players.
3. Good second half defense.
Thad Matta has coached his team well and they are fully capable of executing any game plan that is presented before them. And they will need that game plan if they are going to get past the best defense in the Big Ten. Wisconsin must also have a solid game plan, especially when it comes to matching up against DeShaun Thomas.
Another player that the Badgers must account for is Buckeyes guard Aaron Craft. His 20 point explosion against Michigan State yesterday was their main key to victory in the Big Ten semi-finals. But today is a new day and this game will be decided by which defense can make the most stops.
Both teams will wind up getting into the NCAA Tournament regardless of who wins and loses. But whomever gets the automatic bid will more than likely get a top five seed.
Both of these teams have something to prove and something to play for. This nationally televised game will be the talk of the town when this one is all said an done.
You can follow me on Twitter during the game @GabeSalgado82 #Q101Sports
The Big Ten Tournament Championship Trophy
Today was a very telling story as the semi-finals of the Big Ten Tournament took place at the United Center this afternoon. The top four seeds took center stage, and that is something that doesn’t happen to often in any conference tournament. It was the Big Ten’s best and brightest and neither game disappointed.
First on the schedule was #1 Indiana VS #4 Wisconsin.
Bo Ryan’s defense took the spotlight for the second straight day as they held the Indiana Hoosiers to just 38 percent shooting and forced them to commit 13 turnovers. This was despite a double-double from Hoosiers forward Cody Zeller (13 points, 11 rebounds}, 14 points from forward Christian Watford, and another stellar performance from guard Victor Oladipo (10 points, 4 steals}.
The Badgers were just too much as forward Ryan Evans, center Jared Berggren, and guards Ben Brust and Sam Dekker all finished in double figures {They combined for 50 of Wisconsin’s 68 points}. The Badgers also shot 51 percent from field goal range, and shot 61 percent from the free throw line. During the final three minutes of the game the Badgers drew plenty of fouls which put them at the free-throw line numerous times to seal the deal.
They also out-rebounded the Hoosiers 35-30 and blocked 10 of their shots. Wisconsin moves on with the 68-56 victory. Here is the box score from this game:
As for game two between #2 Ohio State and #3 Michigan State…..
The Spartans brought out the rarely used green and gold uniforms for today’s game. Perhaps it is a St. Patrick’s Day thing. But the luck of the Irish was not on Michigan State’s side this afternoon. Ohio State unleashed their wild card in Aaron Craft, who scored 20 points, and had 9 assists and 4 steals.
18 of his points were scored in the second half. The Spartans found themselves playing catch up through the second half as they only shot 40 percent from the field, 6-14 from three-point range, and turned the ball over 12 times. Not helping matters was the lack of production from their bench. The Spartan reserves only added six points on their end.
Not to be outdone by Aaron Craft, Buckeyes forward DeShaun Thomas scored 16 on his end to go with 2 assists and 7 rebounds. Michigan State did try to rally late in the contest, but Ohio State hung on for a 61-58 victory. After the game Buckeyes guard Lenzelle Smith Jr. had this to say about Craft’s performance:
“Aaron caught fire early. And the way Aaron feels about Michigan State, I knew he was gonna hit some big shots. Next thing you knew he caught fire and hit some big time shots. He made some big plays, he stepped up and our guys just kept giving him the ball.”
When I asked Thomas about what his team needed to against Wisconsin he said, “We have to push the tempo, not let them hit those wide open three’s and we can’t give them second chance points.”
It seems that Ohio State is more concerned with the Badgers offense instead of their defense. But tomorrow will these Buckeyes will be tested as they play their second consecutive Big Ten Tournament championship game. Wisconsin is ready and they have the talent run up and down the floor with The Ohio State University.
Here is the box score from today’s game:
The 2013 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship will begin at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon from the United Center on Chicago’s West Side. You can follow me on twitter during the game @GabeSalgado82 #Q101Sports
Today is day three of the 2013 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament. And that mean’s that the semi-finals are upon us, and we are closer to knowing who will be in the NCAA Tournament. Yesterday the quarterfinals took place and we got a clearer picture of who destined for post season greatness.
The top four seeds advanced to semi-final round yesterday which is something that doesn’t happen often in this tournament. And in the process, some teams NCAA Tournament hopes were dashed. While other teams will now have to wait to see where the Selection Committee puts them.
Here is the schedule for today:
12:40PM: #1 Indiana VS #4 Wisconsin
Approx. 3PM: #2 Ohio State VS #3 Michigan State
Yesterday Indiana managed to get past the Illinois Fighting Illini. Illinois may have won the battle during the regular season, but Indiana won the war when it counted the most. Cody Zeller was a man on a mission yesterday as he scored 24 points and the Illini defense was powerless to stop him.
The Hoosiers will have a tough game today as they will take on the Wisconsin Badgers who will give Indiana all they can handle. The Badgers yesterday had a huge come from behind victory over Michigan yesterday. Bo Ryan’s team not only showcased why they are one of the better defensive teams in college basketball, but they also proved that they can shoot the ball when needed. This game will come down to who can score the most points.
Ohio State pounded Nebraska into elimination to earn their semi-final spot last night. But today will not be so easy as they will take on a very talented Michigan State squad. Tom Izzo coached his team to a narrow three-point win over a very tough Iowa team last night. The Spartans will need to be tough on defense if they are to defeat the Buckeyes today.
In order for Ohio State to win, they need to go all out and take no prisoners against MSU. As for the teams who have been eliminated thus far…..
Illinois must wait to see where or if they will land in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa and Minnesota have an even slimmer chance of getting a tournament bid. Nebraska and Purdue are officially done for the season while Northwestern and Penn State have long offseasons ahead of them.
As for the remaining teams, they are pretty much fighting for NCAA Tournament seeding. The Big Ten Tournament is not over yet so stay tuned….
Teams are finishing their morning shoot around’s and now we wait for the fans to make their way into the United Center this morning. Today is day two of the Big Ten Tournament and that means the quarterfinals are on today’s schedule.
The schedule looks like this:
11am: #1 Indiana VS #8 Illinois
Approx. 1:40pm: #4 Wisconsin VS #5 Michigan
5:30pm: #2 Ohio State VS #10 Nebraska
Approx. 8pm: #3 Michigan State VS #6 Iowa
Indiana received a first round bye yesterday by being the top seed in this year’s tournament. The Hoosiers were ranked #1 in the AP Top 25 three times this year. They are clearly the favorite to win the entire tournament. But the Fighting Illini have other plans. They beat Indiana during the regular season and they are motivated.
Yesterday in the first round, Brandon Paul propelled the Illini into the second round with a last second game winning jump shot against Minnesota. John Groce’s team is motivated and they are looking to sneak into this year’s NCAA Tournament. Indiana would be foolish to underestimate the Illini.
Wisconsin also received a first round bye yesterday, they are another favorite to prosper in this year’s tournament. But they will have their hands full as the Michigan Wolverines are on a mission of their own. The Badgers defeated the Wolverines in a nationally televised overtime game in January.
Michigan learned from that game, and after yesterday’s domination of Penn State in the first round, the boys in the maize and blue will be ready for whatever Wisconsin will bring.
The most lob sided game of the day will be between Ohio State and Nebraska. Being the number two seed, OSU was the third team to receive a first round bye. Nebraska on the other hand squeaked out a two-point victory over Purdue yesterday. While I don’t expect the Cornhuskers to have the same success against the Buckeye’s today, they will give it everything they’ve got.
The most intriguing match up will take place tonight between Michigan State and Iowa. Michigan was the fourth and final team to get a first round bye. Iowa on the other hand, beat Northwestern for the third time this season. The Hawkeyes are a very dangerous team and should not be taken lightly.
The Spartans will need to bring their A game to avoid an upset. Here is a full report on yesterday’s first round schedule. And here is a full recap of yesterday’s games.
Let the games begin……
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