Beyond the Arc : Big Ten

ACC-Big Ten Challenge matters in March

Mike Miller — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:24:00 GMT

Penn State fired the opening salvo in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge Monday night, holding off Virginia and giving the conference an all-important road win.

Seriously. If the Big Ten ever expects to win this event – it’s 0-10 thus far – winning in enemy territory is crucial. Home teams are 30-14 in this thing.

Jason Redmond/AP

Clemson coach Oliver Purnell

Some think this is the year the Big Ten finally wins (Seth Davis disagrees.) If this is the year the Big Ten wins, expect a big sigh of relief from the middle of the country.

"It does bother me, as it does our players, coaches and fans,'' Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany told ESPN’s Andy Katz, who detailed reasons why the ACC-Big Ten Challenge is more than just a typical showcase event. To sum up: bragging rights matter.

"It matters because the two leagues are constantly compared against each other,'' Clemson's Oliver Purnell told Katz. "So you're interested in doing your part, and you do pay attention to the scores. I know last year was real close.''

The challenge has come down to a one-game difference five times, including last season. At some point, the Big Ten will win one. Maybe this year, maybe next season. Who knows. But the teams involved do care. The fans certainly care.

And perhaps most importantly, the NCAA tournament seeding committee cares.

"I'll tell you what helped us come March,'' says Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said, "was going to Virginia Tech [in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge] and winning last year.''

There it is. Even if you don’t care about the bragging rights, perhaps the committee does. That’s reason enough to care who wins this thing.

Check out Mike Miller on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) tonight and tomorrow for random thoughts about the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

5 Things to watch this week

Mike Miller — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:12:00 GMT

West Virginia ended Portland’s marvelous run in the 76 Classic, but not until the Pilots turned themselves into the talk of Feast Week.

Handing Ben Howland the worst loss of his UCLA tenure will do that.

Portland (5-1) had already beaten Oregon this season, but cemented itself as one of the mid-majors the big boys want to avoid after demolishing the Bruins and edging Minnesota on back-to-back nights.

The Pilots may not be done surprising BCS schools, either. A Dec. 19 trip to Washington remains before they turn their attention to the WCC schedule. Looks like Gonzaga, San Diego and St. Mary’s have some competition.

Speaking of the Zags, they’re in 5 Things to Watch this week. But first, the ACC-Big Ten Challenge awaits.

Eric Gay/AP

Deon Thompson and Draymond Green fight for a rebound in the 2009 NCAA championship.

Is this the Big Ten’s year?
The ACC has won this event every year, which is a little ridiculous. Sure, the ACC is lauded as the better conference, but even if that’s true – because that’s debatable – how has the Big Ten never won this thing?

It’s come down to one game five times in 10 seasons, including last year’s event, which the ACC took 6-5. Can the ACC really win ‘em all?

Virginia-Penn State kicks off the event on Monday (ESPN2). Five more follow on Tuesday and Wednesday. The biggies – the title rematch between UNC and Michigan State, Wake Forest vs. Purdue, Clemson vs. Illinois, B.C. vs. Michigan and Duke vs. Wisconsin – land on both days, so watch both nights. (A complete schedule is here.)

So who wins?

This season’s been strange. Michigan’s dropped two straight, UNC has struggled and N.C. State is unbeaten. That’s me saying “Could Minnesota lose at Miami? You bet.” If the home teams all win, the Big Ten takes it. (The Only Colors has more on the home game issues for the Big Ten.)

But that would mean Duke losing to Wisconsin, Maryland losing to Indiana and Virginia Tech falling to Iowa. All three of those are hard to swallow. If the ACC can’t pull off all three of those wins though … this is the year. So keep an eye on the Duke-Wisconsin game. That winner takes the event.

A day to remember
That last batch of ACC-Big Ten games aren’t the only hoops action to watch on Wednesday. There are at least 11 other intriguing games you should pay attention, if not head to the nearest sports bar with the most screens available.

All the games are listed below (all times ET), with a short reason why you should care.

Arkansas at Oklahoma, 8 p.m. (revenge game for Sooners)
Cal at New Mexico, 9 p.m. (6-0 Lobos will be handful for Bears)
Missouri at Vanderbilt, 9:30 p.m. (Important game come bubble time for both)
Siena at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m. (~~Gaels~~Saints could use the résumé boost)
Dayton at Miami, Ohio, 7 p.m. (Flyers can’t afford to lose one to my favorite quote)
Pittsburgh at Duquense, 7 p.m. (Not really an “away game” but a good one)
Western Kentucky vs. South Carolina, 7 p.m. (Hilltoppers pull the upset)
Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State, 8 p.m. (Mo Valley’s best against future pro Craig Brackins)
Oklahoma State at Tulsa, 8 p.m. (Cowboys will have hands full against Jerome Jordan)
UNLV at Arizona, 9 p.m. (Rebs just beat Louisville, ~~Cards~~'Cats are next)
Washington State at Gonzaga, 9 p.m. (This one needs more than one line)

A reason to stay up late
East Coasters should do themselves a favor and find this game on the tube. How often do you get to see tournament winners matchup like this? The Zags just won the Maui Invitational, while the Cougs took the Great Alaska shootout.

Gonzaga’s already been through the wringer against the BCS schools, but this one’s a little different. Wazzu may as well be a cross-town rival since they play pretty much every year. The Cougs took games in 2006 and ’07, but that’s about it.

Can Klay Thompson – he of the 43-point performance against San Diego – carry the Cougs, or will Gonzaga’s big men wear down Washington State? I say stay up late and see.

The race for 2,000
Hoopheads and fans of Kentucky and North Carolina can’t wait to see which school reaches 2,000 career victories first. (More on that here.)

But Saturday allows the two to go head-to-head – and maybe even let UNC make up a little ground (the Heels are four behind through Sunday). And rest assured, Big Blue Nation badly wants to win this one.

For starters, it’s at Rupp Arena. The Heels have won the last five (dating back to 2004) and hold the overall edge, 21-10. Also, a loss would likely be Kentucky’s first of the season (it plays UNC Asheville Monday), and would cut into its overall lead.

Those reasons are more than enough to motivate the ‘Cats.

Another blue blood showdown
No. 1 Kansas travels to Westwood to face the reeling Bruins on Sunday, but it could be a slightly different UCLA squad than we’ve seen thus far.

The Bruins (2-4) are coming off a loss to Long Beach State and have a week to prepare to prepare for KU. They’ll be motivated, ready – few coaches prepare for a foe better than Howland – and should finally have freshman Tyler Honeycutt. He missed the first six games with a stress reaction in his right leg and gives them an inside presence they desperately need.

Still, this is Kansas. Even if Cole Aldrich has an off-day, the Jayhawks can throw wave after wave of players at the Bruins. Mostly, it’ll be another good test for Bill Self’s squad, which has beaten up on inferior opponents at home (they’ve beaten Hofstra, Central Arkansas, Oakland and Tennessee Tech by an average of 39 points) and escaped against Memphis on a neutral court.

Which Jayhawk team shows up Sunday?

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.

Hey! A ranked showdown that was good!

Mike Miller — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:43:00 GMT

Now that’s more like it.

Brennan Linsley/AP

Purdue's Robbie Hummel, left, fights for a rebound with Tennessee's J.P. Prince and teammate Keaton Grant.

Most ranked matchups this season have either been sloppy or one-sided. The Paradise Jame championship was neither.

Purdue’s 73-72 win against Tennessee was nearly everything one could hope for in a Top 10 showdown – in November, or any month.

It was close throughout (a six-point lead was the most either could muster) and featured defense, impressive offensive displays (Tyler Smith’s full-court drive-and-dunk is bound for top plays) and some late-game drama.

In a 72 possession game, both teams were right around 1 PPP (Purdue 1.009, Tennessee .996), a testament to good defense and offense. Both took care of the ball (12 turnovers is excellent for any game) and were OK at getting to the line. Neither team shot lights out (47.4 eFG% for Purdue, 46.2 for the Vols), but that was because of the 3-pointers. (Don’t ask.)

It also provided a glimpse of two teams that have enough talent and skill to meet again in the Final Four. It wasn't pretty, but it was still a good game.

In fact, the game’s final play was about the only thing I’d change. Was Wayne Chism really the Vols’ best option for taking the game-winner?

(shakes head)

But hey, it’s November. It’s early in the season. Expecting a true classic at this point is probably too much.

Or not. Maybe the 76 Classic (West Virginia vs. Butler?) or the NIT (UConn vs. Duke) could be the ones…

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.

If Purdue could only stay healthy ....

Mike Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:05:00 GMT

Foot injuries prompt worry among college basketball coaches. Sometimes little things that appear innocuous turn out to be season-ending. North Carolina’s Marcus Ginyard experienced this last season when a stress fracture delayed his season, then ended it.

OK, so it didn’t derail the Heels’ title run, but not everyone has their depth.

Case in point: Purdue.

The Boilermakers are a serious Final Four contender because their core group of standout players – Robbie Hummel, E’Twuan Moore, Chris Kramer, JaJuan Johnson, Keaton Grant – are on their third season together. But, they’re not the deepest team.

That’s why there should be some concern about sophomore point guard Lewis Jackson being out indefinitely after foot surgery on Tuesday.

"We'll miss having Lewis on the court while he recuperates, but it's important that we take the necessary steps to ensure his full recovery," Purdue coach Matt Painter said.

Does it mean Purdue’s toast? Nah. Jackson may very well return better than ever. And Painter’s been through this before. Hummel dealt with a back problem all of last season (and is the more indispensible player).

But it is cause for hang wringing in West Lafayette.

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.

Better re-think those preseason assumptions

Mike Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:28:00 GMT

On a night when college hoops’ top two teams escaped upsets, what’d we learn?

That Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins are the key to Kansas’ season? Or that Kalin Lucas is Michigan State’s go-to guy? We knew all that going in.

Try this: Don’t forget recent history because Gonzaga and Memphis are actually good. Again. Re-think those preseason assumptions of who's good and who's not. There's no reason to adhere to what the rankings say when your eyes tell you different.

The old cliché still applies, I guess. The more things change – Gonzaga and Memphis both lost four starters from last season – the more they stay the same.

Al Goldis / AP

As Raymar Morgan found out Tuesday, nothing's going to come easy against Gonzaga.

Start with the Zags. Like Miami (Ohio) against Kentucky on Monday night, Gonzaga outplayed the No. 2 Spartans for most of the game, particularly along the frontline.

Sophomore center Robert Sacre played just 19 minutes due to foul issues, but finished with 17 points. Elias Harris (17 points, 9 rebounds) was effective as an undersized power forward who gave Draymond Green and Delvon Roe matchup issues. Matt Bouldin and Steven Gray didn’t shoot well (a combined 8 for 29), but had to do pretty much everything along the perimeter. And the bench surely gave Mark Few more options for later in the season when more hostile environments await.

Perhaps Michigan State isn’t the second-best team in the country. But hey, Tom Izzo said as much in the preseason, not that anyone was listening. The frontcourt was going to be an issue, which is why guys like Lucas, Durrell Summers and Raymar Morgan will carry the Spartans until then.

“It’s a big win for us because we didn’t play real well,” Izzo said. “Gonzaga took it to us for at least 30 minutes. I have a lot of respect for Mark and their program. They punched us in the mouth, picked us off the ground and punched us again.”

The same applies to Memphis and Kansas.

The Tigers lost their coach and most of their scoring from last season’s 33-4 squad. Yet they’re just as athletic and downright stingy on defense. Ask the Jayhawks.

“We’ve known for the past few days that they’re really going to give us a challenge and it proved to be right,” Aldrich said afterward.

Memphis coach Josh Pastner used just six players (well, seven, but D.J. Stephens played 1 whole minute), all of whom were aggressive on defense and fast in the open court. Will Coleman gave up 4 inches to Aldrich, but held his own in the post and even blocked one of Aldrich’s shots. Elliot Williams jacked up 18 shots – his potential game-winner was long – but that was because Kansas couldn’t stay in front of him.

The result made for one ugly game, though. Kansas went for .877 PPP, while Memphis was at .814. Neither team’s eFG% was above 50. The Jayhawks committed a turnover on nearly a third of their possessions. And without Collins and Aldrich – a combined 12 of 17 shooting for 30 points and 4 turnovers; the other 7 ‘Hawks were 8 for 26 and 16 TOs – it gets real bad.

Don’t expect anything easy against Memphis. Or Gonzaga. If a night like tonight didn’t convince you otherwise, you weren’t watching.

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.

Indiana's student section needs a name

Mike Miller — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:44:00 GMT

A catchy moniker goes a long way.

It’s hard for college basketball fans to think of Duke without also picturing the Cameron Crazies, their loud and usually creative student section. It’s gotten to the point where the Crazies get more attention than some college hoops teams, given that ESPN did a feature on one of ‘em last year.

Well, Indiana wants a piece of that action.

The school is seeking names for its student section. It’s open only to current IU student and ideas must be submitted by Nov. 17. The winner gets the name on the front of a T-shirt that’s going to all student basketball season ticket holders.

In other words, students are going to wear this future name.

It’ll be hard to top some of the other Big Ten student section names -- The Izzone (Michigan State). Orange Crush (Illinois). Maize Rage (Michigan) – though I’ll be interested to see the winner. Could be classic.

Of course, not everyone’s in favor of naming the student section. And no, it’s not Bob Knight. Maybe.

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.

Hey look! Evan Turner has a blog!

Mike Miller — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:15:00 GMT

Blogging must come easily to Ohio State basketball players.

Last year, Club Trillion, a blog started by three Ohio State bench players – Mark Titus, Kyle Madsen and Danny Peters – became a minor Web sensation thanks to Titus’ funny bits riffing on life on the Buckeye bench.

So what’s life like as an Ohio State starter? Maybe Evan Turner can fill us in.

Turner, the Buckeyes’ 6-7 do-everything junior, posted his first entry to “Evan Turner’s blog” over at NBADraft.net Thursday. It wasn’t much – five grafs, mostly as an introduction to NBADraft.net readers – but it did confirm he’s starting the season at point guard. Last I’d read, Ohio State Thad Matta would only say he plans on using Turner “just about everywhere” and not just at point.

I doubt Turner’s blog will have Titus’ flavor – it behooves Turner to be general for his future NBA career – but it’s worth checking out every now and then. Even if it’s bland, there’s going to be information in there that isn’t found in other spots, mostly because it’s more than 140 characters …

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.

Not feeling Minnesota without 2 key players

Mike Miller — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:26:00 GMT

Whoa. Minnesota déjà vu.

A day after announcing that forward Trevor Mbwake won’t play until his court issues are resolved, Gophers coach Tubby Smith revealed that star freshman Royce White is suspended indefinitely. He faces misdemeanor charges of theft and fifth-degree assault after being accused of shoplifting at the Mall of America.

Senior guard Devron Bostick also was suspended, but police were unaware of him being involved in the mall incident.

So, for those who missed it yesterday, that leaves Minnesota without its top two newcomers, a pair of skilled, athletic 6-8 forwards who could eventually start for a Top 25 team.

The Gophers should be among the Big Ten’s better teams this season, but as long as Mbakwe and White aren’t playing, they’re not a serious contender in March. And it doesn't sound like Smith is keen on reinstating those guys anytime soon.

“It could be two games. It could be five, six. It could be more,” Smith said, adding: “It could be 20. It depends on what I want, what I decide.

“If you do something wrong, our guys know that playing time ... is a privilege. We expect them to conduct themselves in a proper way. When they don’t, unfortunately they force our hands and force us to do something we really don’t want to do.”

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.

Playing 'what if' with Larry Bird and Indiana

Mike Miller — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:08:00 GMT

The “what if?” game can torment a fan base, no matter how much their team’s won.

Perhaps that’s the a reason why Hoosier fans should steer clear of the new book “When the Games Was Ours,” by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. (Or the similar ground covered by Seth Davis in “How March Went Mad.”)

It’s well known that Bird led Indiana State to the 1979 NCAA tournament title game. And, among college hopheads, just as well known is that Bird originally signed to play at Indiana for Bob Knight’s Hoosiers. Yet, as Henry Abbott over at True Hoop points out, Bird left school during his freshman year because he wasn’t a fan of the tough love he was getting, and could’ve used a little TLC.

When he broke his foot in a pickup game, and had to hobble all over campus only to be late, Bird had had enough. "I'm sitting there saying to myself, 'I'm hurt, I can't work, I'm going to be in trouble for being late to class, I don't have any money, and they won't let me play in any of the games," Bird said. "Time to go home."

Sure, it’s easy to play “what might’ve been” with guys like Bird. It wasn’t like Indiana drove him away, but they didn’t need him then either, given that Knight’s team went 32-0 in 1975-76 and won the title. I mean, nobody knew he’d become Larry Bird.

Still, think of Bird in a Hoosiers uniform. It’s enough to send shivers down your spine.

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.

Mbakwe's absence no small thing for Gophers

Mike Miller — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:01:00 GMT

In case you missed it, Minnesota basketball is relevant again.

Entering his third season, Tubby Smith’s molded his team into something Kentucky fans would recognize – a strong defensive unit that relies on winning low-scoring games because it doesn’t shoot well. Still, the Gophers return all five starters from an NCAA tournament team, which was enough to land in the preseason polls.

In short, the Gophers should be good this season. But they could be a March darkhorse if a few player issues are resolved.

Andy King/AP

Trevor Mbakwe dunks during Minnesota practice.

Bryant Allen (a punt returned for the Minnesota football team) is the all-time leading scorer in Missouri prep history, but won’t be with the team until football season is over. So he’ll be a late addition. Dominique Dawson is a 6-7, 240-pound walk-on who could play spot minutes, but will probably be more important in later seasons.

But the biggest key is Trevor Mbakwe.

The school announced Monday that the junior forward (who transferred from Miami Dade College and Marquette) won’t play until his pending court case on a felony battery charge “has been resolved in a satisfactory manner.” That means he’ll miss most of the Gophers’ early games, including a potential showdown with Butler in the 76 Classic.

Mbakwe, along with freshman Royce White, are Minnesota’s two best newcomers. Both are expected to see serious playing time and possibly start. But until Mbakwe’s eligible, the Gophers are going to be missing that little something extra that could be the difference between an NCAA tournament and an NCAA tournament run.

Follow me on Twitter (@BeyndArcMMiller) and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.