Big Ten Basketball: 10 must-watch games on the 2018-19 conference schedule

4) Purdue at Michigan – Sat, Dec. 1

The only two Big Ten teams that made the Sweet 16 last year, these two will meet in their first conference game. Both teams have to replace significant pieces from last year’s team if they want to repeat their success and this will be a great measuring-stick game.

3) Michigan State at Indiana – Sat, Mar. 2

There’s not much on the line for Michigan State in this game, but for Indiana, it could be huge. The Hoosiers are expected to take a step forward in Year Two under Archie Miller and, with Langford, that step is expected to be an NCAA Tournament berth (or to at least be on the bubble). With this game coming in March, it could be Indiana’s last best chance to add a top-tier win to their resume.

And seeing Langford go up against Michigan State is only going to be fun.

2) Michigan at Michigan State – Sat, Mar. 9
1) Michigan State at Michigan – Sun, Feb. 24

The appeal of these two games is obvious. Michigan State is the Big Ten’s banner team, but Michigan has made it all the way to the national championship game in two of the past six seasons – a place the Spartans haven’t been in a decade. Oh yeah, there’s the whole heated in-state rivalry thing as well.

Both teams have to replace first-round picks (Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. for Michigan State, Moe Wagner for Michigan) and will look a little bit different, but the intensity and quality will still be there.