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NCAA Basketball: Overrated Kansas, dominant Virginia, and more takeaways

AMES, IA - JANUARY 5: Tyrese Haliburton #22, Michael Jacobson #12, and Nick Weiler-Babb #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones, block as Dedric Lawson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks attempts to pass the ball in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - JANUARY 5: Tyrese Haliburton #22, Michael Jacobson #12, and Nick Weiler-Babb #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones, block as Dedric Lawson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks attempts to pass the ball in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 5: Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes battles for a rebound with Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 5: Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes battles for a rebound with Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

5) A clear line between Michigan, Michigan State, and the rest of the Big Ten

The Big Ten is really good once again and is going to send eight teams to the NCAA Tournament in my estimation. However, most of those teams will be toiling in the 5-9 seed lines.

As in they’re good, but not great.

Michigan and Michigan State don’t fall into that category and we were reminded of that yet again this week.

The Wolverines made their presence known early in the season with dominating wins over Villanova and North Carolina and have maintained that high level of play, taking care of business against Purdue, Northwestern, and Penn State in conference play.

The Spartans have flown under the radar a bit this year but are also playing at a high level. Their only two losses (Kansas, Louisville) came by a combined nine points and are a perfect 4-0 in conference play. Saturday’s win over Ohio State in Columbus without Joshua Langford was the perfect example of this gap – they were able to get a road win over a good team without one of their best players.

Indiana is the only other team in the conference without a loss and they’ll face Michigan on Sunday. I’d expect Michigan to further demonstrate that gap and put them and the Spartans all alone at the top of the Big Ten standings.