Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: The fun of college hoops and the Bubble Watch

By Lukas Harkins

Jan 10, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) reacts after missing a potential game timing shot as time expires in second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Maryland Terrapins defeated Indiana Hoosiers 75-72. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) reacts after missing a potential game timing shot as time expires in second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Maryland Terrapins defeated Indiana Hoosiers 75-72. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Anthony Cowan (0) grabs Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) during the second half at Crisler Center. Maryland won 77-70. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Anthony Cowan (0) grabs Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) during the second half at Crisler Center. Maryland won 77-70. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Big Ten

Lead-Pipe Lock:

Some Perspiration: Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota, Maryland, Indiana, Michigan State, Northwestern

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Michigan, Illinois

Related Story: Where do some Big Ten teams stand in our Top 25?

Wisconsin Badgers, 13-3 (2-1): Despite their horrendous play against Purdue this past weekend, Wisconsin is still one of the top Big Ten teams. The problem for the Badgers, however, is that they have not proven it. In fact, their three toughest opponents (Creighton, UNC, Purdue) have mostly controlled them throughout all 40 minutes of their respective games. UW needs to grab a few real big wins to solidify their place.

Quality wins: vs. Marquette, @ Indiana

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: @ Creighton, vs. North Carolina, @ Purdue

Up next: vs. Ohio State (1/12), vs. Michigan (1/17)

Purdue Boilermakers, 14-3 (3-1): In knocking off the Badgers, Caleb Swanigan and company might have made themselves the favorites in the Big Ten. Their losses are not bad, plus they carry wins over Notre Dame and Ohio State, not to mention the Wisconsin victory. Do not sleep on the Boilermakers.

Quality wins: vs. Notre Dame, @ Ohio State, vs. Wisconsin

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: vs. Villanova, @ Louisville, vs. Minnesota

Up next: @ Iowa (1/12), vs. Illinois (1/17)

Minnesota Golden Gophers, 15-2 (3-1): Another team not to sleep on is the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This team has as much talent as any squad in the Big Ten and has claimed several high-quality wins. They climbed into the AP top 25 this week, and their 15-2 record surely earned them that position. Keep it up, and Minnesota could see a high seed coming their way.

Quality wins: vs. UT-Arlington, vs. Arkansas, @ Purdue, @ Northwestern, vs. Ohio State

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: @ Florida State, vs. Michigan State

Up next: @ Michigan State (1/11), @ Penn State (1/14)

Maryland Terrapins, 15-2 (3-1): Although their wins aren’t as good as Minnesota, Maryland is somehow off to quiet 15-2 record. Not many people have taken note of how good the Terrapins are once again. They have rattled off three wins in the Big Ten schedule in four games, all coming against potential tournament teams.

Quality wins: vs. Oklahoma State, @ Georgetown, vs. Kansas State, vs. Illinois, @ Michigan, vs. Indiana

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Nebraska

Up next: @ Illinois (1/14), @ Iowa (1/19)

Indiana Hoosiers, 11-6 (1-3): With the way Indiana is playing right now, it is easy forget that this is the same team that beat Kansas and North Carolina. The loss to Fort Wayne was one thing, but Indiana now has six losses and is steadily falling down the seed list. With two very winnable games next up on the schedule, they need both.

Quality wins: vs. Kansas, vs. North Carolina, vs. Illinois

Bad losses: @ Fort Wayne

Missed opportunities: vs. Butler, vs. Nebraska, vs. Louisville, vs. Wisconsin, @ Maryland

Up next: vs. Rutgers (1/15), @ Penn State (1/18)

Michigan State Spartans, 11-6 (3-1): Despite a tough start to the year due to a rigorous non-conference schedule, it looks like maybe Tom Izzo is starting to whip his team into shape. They’re 3-1 in the Big Ten, including wins over two likely tournament teams in Minnesota and Northwestern. The loss to PSU wasn’t the best, but there is plenty of time to make up for it.

Quality wins: vs. Wichita State, @ Minnesota, vs. Northwestern

Bad losses: vs. Northeastern, vs. Penn State

Missed opportunities: vs. Baylor, vs. Kentucky, @ Duke, vs. Arizona

Up next: vs. Minnesota (1/11), @ Ohio State (1/15)

Northwestern Wildcats, 13-4 (2-2): Well, Northwestern did not fall apart in their first few Big Ten games. Their two losses came in tough outings against tournament caliber teams, while they took care of business in the other two wins. NU’s tournament hopes are still very much alive at 13-4, but these next two games are the kind of battles they need to win to make the postseason.

Quality wins: vs. Wake Forest, vs. Dayton

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: vs. Butler, vs. Notre Dame, @ Michigan State, vs. Minnesota

Up next: @ Rutgers (1/12), vs. Iowa (1/15)

Michigan Wolverines, 11-5 (1-2): Michigan has somewhat underachieved so far, but that does not mean they’re out of contention for a bid. In this week’s Bracketology, the Wolverines are the absolute last team in the tournament. A few wins here and there though, and the team could be right back on track.

Quality wins: vs. SMU, vs. Marquette

Bad losses: @ Iowa

Missed opportunities: @ UCLA, @ South Carolina, vs. Virginia Tech, vs. Maryland

Up next: @ Illinois (1/11), vs. Nebraska (1/14)

Illinois Fighting Illini, 11-5 (1-2): Another team hanging right on the bubble, just one slot ahead of Michigan, is Illinois. They have a few solid wins, though nothing great, and one miserable loss. The Fighting Illini do not bring a great record to the table, but their strength of schedule is helpful. Plus, their two conference losses have both come on the road.

Quality wins: vs. NC State, vs. VCU, vs. Ohio State

Bad losses: vs. Winthrop

Missed opportunities: vs. Florida State, vs. West Virginia, @ Maryland, @ Indiana

Up next: vs. Michigan (1/11), vs. Maryland (1/14)

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