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Big Ten Basketball: Michigan, Purdue and Michigan State top title contenders

By Ryan Kay

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 03: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers shoots the ball against Joe Wieskamp #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Mackey Arena on January 3, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 03: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers shoots the ball against Joe Wieskamp #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Mackey Arena on January 3, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Grady Eifert #24 of the Purdue Boilermakers battles for a first half rebound with Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Grady Eifert #24 of the Purdue Boilermakers battles for a first half rebound with Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Top Contenders

Michigan State

Big Ten Record: 10-3

Best Big Ten Wins: Swept Iowa, Purdue, and Maryland

Worst Big Ten Loss: At Illinois

Spartans started Big Ten play 9-0 before losing three straight. They went from a team that was running away with the Big Ten title to a team who might fall to 3rd place in the Big Ten. Michigan State physiologically after hearing that Joshua Langford is out for the season, has not looked the same on the court. However, the Spartans came back in a huge way by beating Minnesota by 24 points and ending their losing streak. They have some good opponents coming up so time will tell if Winston and Ward can get Michigan State back in 1st place.

The good news is that Michigan State only has three remaining road games. However, the Spartans have to play Michigan twice, at Wisconsin, and they have a redemption game at Indiana. The Spartans also need to essentially win out or maybe lose just one of their last remaining games to repeat as sole Big Ten regular season champions.

Michigan

Big Ten Record: 11-2

Best Big Ten Wins: Purdue, Wisconsin, Swept Indiana, and Minnesota

Worst Big Ten Loss: At Iowa

The Wolverines are currently in the driver’s seat as they are in 1st place in the Big Ten. Their two Big Ten losses have been on the road but at home they are undefeated. Michigan is led by Ignas Brazdeikis and Zavier Simpson and they will look to both of them for leadership as they enter the end of the Big Ten season. The won their last game against Wisconsin and they lost next to get a victory at Penn State.

Michigan does not have an easy remaining schedule. They still have to go on the road for four of their remaining Big Ten games that includes playing Michigan State twice, at Maryland, and at Minnesota. However, they control their own destiny as they don’t have to play at Purdue this season. The Wolverines are consistent overall and they have a solid opportunity to win the Big Ten regular-season title.

Purdue

Big Ten Record: 10-2

Best Big Ten Wins: Michigan State, at Wisconsin, Iowa

Worst Big Ten Loss: At Michigan

The Boilermakers have been playing very well of late. They have won eight straight Big Ten games and they have a good chance to win the Big Ten title. They are led by their All American candidate Carsen Edwards who leads the team in points, assists, and steals per game. Purdue looks to finish the Big Ten season with a title but they have to hold off the other contenders to do so.

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Similar to the Wolverines, Purdue controls their own destiny. They also have a relatively easy remaining Big Ten schedule of games. They have no remaining games against Michigan, Wisconsin, or Michigan State. However, they have to be careful because they still have five road games left on their schedule. Some believe at this point they have the best chance to win the Big Ten regular-season title.

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