Bracketology: Updated Bubble Watch and another mailbag

Big Ten

Lead-Pipe Lock: Wisconsin, Maryland, Purdue

Some Perspiration: Northwestern, Minnesota

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan

Related Story: The historic Big Ten Player of the Year race

Northwestern Wildcats, 18-6 (7-4): It still seems very likely that this will be Northwestern’s first trip to the Big Dance, but losing two in a row is not ideal, especially when one comes against Illinois at home. The Wildcats have a brutal couple games approaching in Wisconsin and Maryland, and splitting those two will be a very big deal. Going on a four-game losing skid at this time of the year can be very hard to recover from and the return of Scottie Lindsey is something that needs to happen soon.

Quality wins: vs. Wake Forest, vs. Dayton, @ Ohio State, vs. Indiana

Bad losses: vs. Illinois

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

Up next: @ Wisconsin (2/12), vs. Maryland (2/15)

Minnesota Golden Gophers, 16-7 (4-6): After five (!) straight losses, Minnesota was able to get back on track with a win over Illinois this week. It might not go down as the best win in program history, but it might help jump start what had been a rough stretch to the season. With games against Iowa, Rutgers, Indiana, and Michigan coming up, the Golden Gophers are looking at a potential winning streak at a vital time.

Quality wins: vs. Arkansas, @ Northwestern, @ Purdue

Bad losses: @ Penn State

Missed opportunities: @ Ohio State, @ Florida State, vs. Maryland, vs. Wisconsin, vs. Michigan State, @ Michigan State

Up next: vs. Iowa (2/8), @ Rutgers (2/11)

Indiana Hoosiers, 15-9 (5-6): Even though Indiana was once considered one of the best teams in the country this year, the Hoosiers have fallen dramatically, now to the last four teams in the tournament. Now losers of three of four, Indiana could really use a win against Purdue in their next battle. Both battles with Purdue still remain this season, and those will prove to be huge tests.

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

Bad losses: @ Fort Wayne, vs. Nebraska

Missed opportunities: vs. Butler, @ Michigan, vs. Louisville, @ Maryland, vs. Wisconsin, @ Northwestern, @ Wisconsin

Up next: vs. Purdue (2/9), vs. Michigan (2/12)

Michigan State Spartans, 14-10 (6-5): After getting destroyed by Michigan on Tuesday night, things aren’t looking so great for Tom Izzo’s team. They are still firmly on the bubble and could find themselves on the outside-looking-in for much of the rest of the year. The Spartans finish with a rather tough schedule that includes games against Purdue, Wisconsin, and Maryland, and they will likely need two of those wins to feel comfortable.  

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

Bad losses: vs. Northeastern, @ Penn State

Missed opportunities: vs. Baylor, vs. Kentucky, @ Duke, vs. Arizona, @ Ohio State, @ Indiana, vs. Purdue, @ Michigan

Up next: vs. Iowa (2/11), vs. Ohio State (2/14)

Michigan Wolverines, 15-9 (5-6): It is hard to say that Michigan didn’t get the job done against their rivals in Michigan State. From what seemed like start to finish, the Wolverines played a great game and dominated the Spartans. Coming off of two losses, one to MSU and the other to Ohio State, this was a big bounce back performance. Wisconsin coming to play in Ann Arbor could prove to be just the win that Michigan is looking for near the end of the regular season.

Quality wins: vs. SMU, vs. Marquette, vs. Illinois, vs. Indiana, vs. Michigan State

Bad losses: @ Iowa, vs. Ohio State

Missed opportunities: @ UCLA, @ South Carolina, vs. Virginia Tech, vs. Maryland, @ Wisconsin, @ Michigan State, @ Illinois

Up next: @ Indiana (2/12), vs. Wisconsin (2/16)