Payback in the Capitol

[QuadDogSW]

Ok. It's looking like we'll be up against two of the hottest teams in the league this week in the BIG10 tourney - Michigan and Minnesota are the seeded rivals.

Granted they each will have their hands full in making it through, but these are both teams which have beaten us so far in the year.

What are your thoughts in making it through.. think our guys will be hungry for this or saving punches for the Big Dance?

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Ok. It's looking like we'll be up against two of the hottest teams in the league this week in the BIG10 tourney - Michigan and Minnesota are the seeded rivals.

Granted they each will have their hands full in making it through, but these are both teams which have beaten us so far in the year.

What are your thoughts in making it through.. think our guys will be hungry for this or saving punches for the Big Dance?

Not worried about Minnesota. When Purdue played them, they were one of the hottest teams in the country but have since returned to normalcy. Purdue's team is familiar with the BTT and the added stress that brings.

I'm worried about two players in this tourney...Moe Wagner from UM and Melo Trimble from Maryland. Melo is just head and shoulders better, when he is playing with a level head, than anything we can throw at him defensively. Wagner just gives our bigs a huge fit to defend and opens up the lane for UM's athletic wings to get in the lane for easy looks.

 

[nagemj02]

I think they're going to stay hungry. They want to win this tournament. They were one step away from it last season. They're going to have to make some defensive adjustments if they match up with Michigan and Minnesota again. If it plays out like that (Michigan then Minnesota) and they are able to do that (D adjustments), they will get payback on both of them in be in the B1G title game.

 

[312_Purdue]

Michigan doesn't play their best ball away from Crisler, and streaking Minnesota looked like a hot mess today. We can and will beat both if we play to our potential.

Besides, its not like there's any easy games from the middle tier teams. Iowa is playing its best basketball of the year. Michigan State is about to start playing tournament basketball in March, so cue the Izzo magic. Northwestern took us to the wire today. Even IU would give us their best efort, and would love a third try at their Superbowl.