Big Ten starting strong
I know that Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany had to be smiling last weekend.
His conference is off to a good start on the hardwood. I feel the Big Ten is better than I thought it would be coming into this season.
Michigan State scored a big win over Texas down in Houston. Tom Izzo's team showed the intensity needed at crunch time to get to the winner's circle. That victory will give the Spartans a lot of confidence.
Purdue raced out to a 21-0 lead against a talented Davidson squad led by Stephen Curry. Matt Painter's Boilermakers have top 10 talent and they have responded after the loss to Duke in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
The Spartans and Boilermakers were expected to make noise this season. Bo Ryan's Wisconsin Badgers are always tough, especially at home; this squad has lost just seven times at Kohl Center during Ryan's tenure, which is in its eighth season. Wisconsin had a tough test against Texas on Tuesday but stayed close and lost by five.
It is the emergence of other squads that has made the Big Ten look strong in November and December. Minnesota and Ohio State are unbeaten and the Golden Gophers made a strong statement under Tubby Smith's guidance by beating Rick Pitino and Louisville. Thad Matta's young Buckeyes have wins over Notre Dame and Miami-Florida already this season.
Michigan won 10 games a year ago, but John Beilein's squad has made some noise already. Wins over Duke and UCLA will stand out when the NCAA tournament selection committee reviews resumes. Led by Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims, the Wolverines are trying to make the big dance for the first time since 1998.
Bruce Weber's Illini are an impressive 11-1 after Tuesday night's rivalry game against Missouri. The lone Illinois loss came by two points against a Clemson club that is still unbeaten. The Illini have wins over Vanderbilt, Tulsa and Georgia.
Penn State has very quietly run up a 11-2 record that includes a win at Georgia Tech. The two setbacks came against Rhode Island and Temple, very respectable opponents. Ed DeChellis has something positive brewing in Nittany Lion country.
Northwestern is 8-2 under Bill Carmody and that includes a big win over Florida State and a blowout of in-state rival DePaul. The two setbacks were close calls against Butler and Stanford.
Iowa has won nine games and looks to improve further under Todd Lickliter. Indiana has struggled but will eventually turn things around under Tom Crean.
My friends, there are many reasons for Big Ten fans to smile. Commissioner Delany has to be very happy at this point of the season.
