Big Ten Basketball: 10 facts of 2019-20 for conference through November
By Ryan Kay
5. Big Ten teams have scored 90 or more points six times and put up 100 points twice at this point of the season
These Big Ten teams have put up 90 or more points so far this season; Indiana twice, Maryland once, Penn State once, Purdue once, and Nebraska once. Michigan State and Indiana have both scored 100 points this season. The Big Ten is known for their defense and with the three-point line moving farther from the basket you would expect a drop in offensive production but certain Big Ten teams are scoring a ton of points in non-conference play.
6. The Big Ten has won the back to back Gavitt Tipoff Games after tying the previous three Gavitt Tipoff Games
From 2015-2017 The Big Ten went 4-4 in three straight Gavitt Tipoff Games against the Big East. Last year, the Big Ten defeated the Big East going 5-3 against them and winning the Gavitt Tipoff Games for the first time. This season, after Iowa’s disappointing performance against DePaul, Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State beat three strong Big East teams and Northwestern and Penn State with somewhat surprising wins, gave the Big Ten a 5-3 edge over the Big East in the 2019 Gavitt Tipoff Games.
7. Including the Big East and American conferences, the Big Ten has played a total of 15 games against Power 5 and highly respected collegiate basketball teams from the top conferences in the nation
The breakdown goes as follows; Minnesota 3, Ohio State 2, Michigan State 2, Purdue 2, Penn State 1, Michigan 1, Illinois 1, Iowa 1, Wisconsin 1, and Northwestern 1. The Gophers, for example, have already played Oklahoma, Utah, and Butler. The Boilermakers have played Texas and Marquette and the Spartans have played Kentucky and Seton Hall. The Big Ten will play some good well-respected teams in the near future and they hope to show the rest of the country that they are not afraid to play a difficult non-conference schedule.