Remember On Selection Sunday WHEN.....

[OilerBuck]

Despite the league's success, it's hard to argue Minnesota and/or Iowa over Maryland with the run they're having in the NIT.

My opinion on the issue is that the top teams in the Big Ten (save Illinois) were undervalued due to the fact that they played in a conference with a softer underbelly than many other conferences. IMHO, the Big Ten was actually the Big Three (Illinois, MSU, Wisky). Iowa could've been considered a top team before the loss of Pierce, but Minny was a group of overachievers begging to be exposed, Indiana was young and inconsistent, OSU relied too much on outside shooting and most other teams were terrible (scUM, Purdue, Northwestern, Penn St.).

The Big Ten plays so well in the tourny because the conference plays tough defense. Defense is consistent even when shots aren't falling and over a 5 game tournament, that consistency means that they are less prone to upsets. Our teams will beat who they are supposed to, and they have a chance to upset a team with an off night.

The ACC and Big East were the deepest conferences in the country...But thier best teams played the up-tempo style of ball that is prone to upsets on an off night. The Big Ten has great top talent and has been largely underrated due to some really bad teams, but the tournament success of three doesn't mean that our fourth and fifth is better than the ACC's (As much as I hate that conference). Just look at the Big Ten/ACC tourny every year.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Despite the league's success, it's hard to argue Minnesota and/or Iowa over Maryland with the run they're having in the NIT.

My opinion on the issue is that the top teams in the Big Ten (save Illinois) were undervalued due to the fact that they played in a conference with a softer underbelly than many other conferences. IMHO, the Big Ten was actually the Big Three (Illinois, MSU, Wisky). Iowa could've been considered a top team before the loss of Pierce, but Minny was a group of overachievers begging to be exposed, Indiana was young and inconsistent, OSU relied too much on outside shooting and most other teams were terrible (scUM, Purdue, Northwestern, Penn St.).

The Big Ten plays so well in the tourny because the conference plays tough defense. Defense is consistent even when shots aren't falling and over a 5 game tournament, that consistency means that they are less prone to upsets. Our teams will beat who they are supposed to, and they have a chance to upset a team with an off night.

The ACC and Big East were the deepest conferences in the country...But thier best teams played the up-tempo style of ball that is prone to upsets on an off night. The Big Ten has great top talent and has been largely underrated due to some really bad teams, but the tournament success of three doesn't mean that our fourth and fifth is better than the ACC's (As much as I hate that conference). Just look at the Big Ten/ACC tourny every year.

Ok I will argue that Iowa and Minny should of been in over Maryland. Have you seen who Maryland has played in the the NIT. Oral Roberts, Davidson, and TCU. Hardly 3 decent teams. Hell Michigan could beat those teams. They were also at home all 3 games and they were down big in 2 of them I know of.

Iowa had a tough stretch when they lost Pierce, but did you see there record against top 50 teams. I believe it was in the neighborhood of 5 to 7 wins and 2 loses. They beat Texas Tech by 30 who made the sweet sixteen and almost elite eight. They also beat MSU who is in the elite 8 and still playing. They got beat my a cincy team that probably played their best game of the season.

Minny was not really a flashy team, but they got the job done when they needed too. It was down to them and IU and they beat them. Minny was up in the first half of their game but let it slip away in the second half.

I think you are undervaluing the big ten compared to other conferences. It shows when you have three teams in the top 8 teams in the country that the lower guys are not going to be able to have good records b/c they are getting beat by the big dogs. I believe there was 7 out of 11 teams that were strong. You had the bottom dwellers like Michigan and Purdue who gave the top dog Illinois little scares. Something Big bad Wake didnt do.

I don't care what people think about the style of bball we play in the big ten it wins don't it. Hell I am sure Syracuse/kansas would of taken a win any way they could of gotten one. Defense wins championships.

Go Big Ten!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OSUsushichic]

Izzo gave some major props to the Bucks yesterday. He said we could have very well been right up there if we weren't on probation. I can't wait to see what Matta's team does next year!