Photo via David Banks - USA TODAY Sports
By: Lucas Vargas
All-Big Ten Quarterfinals Team
Guard: Glynn Watson
Guard: Foster Loyer
Guard: Zavier Simpson
Forward: Jordan Murphy
Forward: Nate Reuvers
Ohio State Buckeyes 70 vs Michigan State Spartans 77
What I liked:
Cassius Winston did his thing with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists but only needed to play 22 minutes. A backcourt of Matt McQuaid, Foster Loyer, and Kyle Ahrens was on the court when the Spartans put meaningful separation between themselves and the Buckeyes in the second half showing the depth that Michigan State possesses and lightening the minutes load for Winston. Loyer went for 14 points on 5-7 shooting and 4-5 three point shooting. He drew himself quite the ovation upon exiting the game and leaving fans wondering if he can replicate performances like this in the future.
What I didn’t like:
Kaleb Wesson returned for the Big Ten tournament after serving a three game suspension for a violation of team rules. He gave the Hoosiers problems on Thursday with a 17 point and 13 rebound double-double but only lasted 16 minutes after fouling out with 9:41 remaining. I was expecting a battle between Wesson and the Spartan combo of Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman but was left thinking what could have been if the whistles had been silent for some of the ticky tack calls. This is the Big Ten after all.
Nebraska Cornhuskers 62 vs Wisconsin Badgers 66
What I liked:
Glynn Watson Jr. did everything in his power to get Nebraska to another round of the Big Ten Tournament going for 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while playing the entire game. In fact Nebraska only played six guys all game because of the depth issues they have accrued all season limiting them to only as many active scholarship players. Watson also played all 40 minutes against Rutgers and Maryland on Wednesday and Thursday. He hit some big shots to keep it close and had the crowd behind him but it just wasn’t enough for the Cornhuskers. He gave it everything he had.
What I didn’t like:
Ethan Happ only playing 20 minutes and committing 7 turnovers? Badgers’ Coach Greg Gard described the day as “very uncharacteristic for him”. It was not the opening performance I expected for the star forward but Wisconsin was able to survive in large part thanks to Nebraska’s lack of size and the contributions of Nate Reuvers who scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds while hitting both of his threes and blocking 2 shots.
Minnesota Golden Gophers 75 vs Purdue Boilermakers 73
What I liked:
I was extremely excited for the battle of two Big Ten Texans in Jordan Murphy from San Antonio and Carsen Edwards from Atascocita. Both are some of the best players in the Big Ten with Edwards on the first team and Murphy on the second team. Murphy was locked in on his end with a stat line of 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was largely unguardable getting to his spots on the low blocks and being effective in transition. The Gophers used a balanced scoring attack to display their best characteristics against the Big Ten regular season co-champions. Amir Coffey scored 21, Daniel Oturu added 13, and Gabe Kalscheur contributed 11. This game was fast paced and competitive; the Gophers have potential to beat anyone.
What I didn’t like:
Unfortunately there was the other side of the Texan matchup. Carsen Edwards is as prolific a scorer as there is in America but at times he falls into the trap of forcing the issue. Smothered by Kalscheur most of the night, Edwards had little success in a 4-17 shooting performance with 6 turnovers. In a tight game like this one was, every possession was valuable and the aggressiveness that blurred into poor decision making was the difference.
Iowa Hawkeyes 53 vs Michigan Wolverines 74
What I liked:
Michigan had 24 assists on 28 made field goals and Zavier Simpson dished out 11 of them. Wolverine guard Luke Wilson said, “The ball movement shows how long we’ve been playing together and how much we enjoy playing together and when we move the ball like that we will get open shots.” It was an encouraging step to start off the tournament for the Wolverines who looked focused from the start and played everyone on the team. Eli Brooks was a notable contributor off the bench with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 18 energy filled minutes and said he was able to stay ready by “eating a lot of Gatorade chews before the game”. It was a complete effort for the Wolverines who only allowed a single three pointer from Iowa that didn’t come until the closing minutes.
What I didn’t like:
Iowa came out and got the Wolverines in early foul trouble in the second half. No players were ever in serious foul trouble but Michigan can expect a physical game in the semifinals against the Gophers and will have to guard a much more athletic group looking to get to the rim as opposed to shooting threes. David DeJulius said that Michigan must “do a better job showing their chest and showing their hands to avoid fouling” and will prepare for the quick turnaround.
All-Big Ten Quarterfinals Team
Guard: Glynn Watson
Guard: Foster Loyer
Guard: Zavier Simpson
Forward: Jordan Murphy
Forward: Nate Reuvers
Ohio State Buckeyes 70 vs Michigan State Spartans 77
What I liked:
Cassius Winston did his thing with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists but only needed to play 22 minutes. A backcourt of Matt McQuaid, Foster Loyer, and Kyle Ahrens was on the court when the Spartans put meaningful separation between themselves and the Buckeyes in the second half showing the depth that Michigan State possesses and lightening the minutes load for Winston. Loyer went for 14 points on 5-7 shooting and 4-5 three point shooting. He drew himself quite the ovation upon exiting the game and leaving fans wondering if he can replicate performances like this in the future.
What I didn’t like:
Kaleb Wesson returned for the Big Ten tournament after serving a three game suspension for a violation of team rules. He gave the Hoosiers problems on Thursday with a 17 point and 13 rebound double-double but only lasted 16 minutes after fouling out with 9:41 remaining. I was expecting a battle between Wesson and the Spartan combo of Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman but was left thinking what could have been if the whistles had been silent for some of the ticky tack calls. This is the Big Ten after all.
Nebraska Cornhuskers 62 vs Wisconsin Badgers 66
What I liked:
Glynn Watson Jr. did everything in his power to get Nebraska to another round of the Big Ten Tournament going for 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while playing the entire game. In fact Nebraska only played six guys all game because of the depth issues they have accrued all season limiting them to only as many active scholarship players. Watson also played all 40 minutes against Rutgers and Maryland on Wednesday and Thursday. He hit some big shots to keep it close and had the crowd behind him but it just wasn’t enough for the Cornhuskers. He gave it everything he had.
What I didn’t like:
Ethan Happ only playing 20 minutes and committing 7 turnovers? Badgers’ Coach Greg Gard described the day as “very uncharacteristic for him”. It was not the opening performance I expected for the star forward but Wisconsin was able to survive in large part thanks to Nebraska’s lack of size and the contributions of Nate Reuvers who scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds while hitting both of his threes and blocking 2 shots.
Minnesota Golden Gophers 75 vs Purdue Boilermakers 73
What I liked:
I was extremely excited for the battle of two Big Ten Texans in Jordan Murphy from San Antonio and Carsen Edwards from Atascocita. Both are some of the best players in the Big Ten with Edwards on the first team and Murphy on the second team. Murphy was locked in on his end with a stat line of 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was largely unguardable getting to his spots on the low blocks and being effective in transition. The Gophers used a balanced scoring attack to display their best characteristics against the Big Ten regular season co-champions. Amir Coffey scored 21, Daniel Oturu added 13, and Gabe Kalscheur contributed 11. This game was fast paced and competitive; the Gophers have potential to beat anyone.
What I didn’t like:
Unfortunately there was the other side of the Texan matchup. Carsen Edwards is as prolific a scorer as there is in America but at times he falls into the trap of forcing the issue. Smothered by Kalscheur most of the night, Edwards had little success in a 4-17 shooting performance with 6 turnovers. In a tight game like this one was, every possession was valuable and the aggressiveness that blurred into poor decision making was the difference.
Iowa Hawkeyes 53 vs Michigan Wolverines 74
What I liked:
Michigan had 24 assists on 28 made field goals and Zavier Simpson dished out 11 of them. Wolverine guard Luke Wilson said, “The ball movement shows how long we’ve been playing together and how much we enjoy playing together and when we move the ball like that we will get open shots.” It was an encouraging step to start off the tournament for the Wolverines who looked focused from the start and played everyone on the team. Eli Brooks was a notable contributor off the bench with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 18 energy filled minutes and said he was able to stay ready by “eating a lot of Gatorade chews before the game”. It was a complete effort for the Wolverines who only allowed a single three pointer from Iowa that didn’t come until the closing minutes.
What I didn’t like:
Iowa came out and got the Wolverines in early foul trouble in the second half. No players were ever in serious foul trouble but Michigan can expect a physical game in the semifinals against the Gophers and will have to guard a much more athletic group looking to get to the rim as opposed to shooting threes. David DeJulius said that Michigan must “do a better job showing their chest and showing their hands to avoid fouling” and will prepare for the quick turnaround.
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