Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Ranking each team’s league schedule for 2021-22 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

Feb 13, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big Ten Basketball Northwestern Wildcats Boo Buie Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Big Ten Basketball Northwestern Wildcats Boo Buie Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Northwestern Wildcats

Home & Away – Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue
Home Only – Indiana, Rutgers, Wisconsin
Away Only – Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State

Head Coach Chris Collins and the Wildcats finished 6-13 in conference play and their season concluded with a five-point loss to Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Four of their six victories came in front of their fans at Welsh-Ryan Arena, and while their schedule was not as favorable last season, their roster is not as favorable as well. 

The greatest difference to the Wildcats’ roster is the transfer of Miller Kopp (11.3 ppg). With Kopp, the six combined games versus Minnesota, Nebraska, and Penn State would be enough to match their win total last season. The addition of 6’7 Fairleigh Dickinson transfer Elyjah Williams (13.9 ppg) will be their attempt to replace Miller Kopp.

Their home-only schedule includes three games that home-court advantage could be the deciding factor, such was the case last season in their home wins over Michigan State and Ohio State. Northwestern and Rutgers match up very well, with Pete Nance and Ron Harper Jr as well as Buie versus Geo Baker being the highlights. The game with Wisconsin might very well decide the tenth position in the Big Ten.

When the Wildcats travel to Michigan and Ohio State they will need the perfect circumstances to come away with a victory and the responsibility will rest with the backcourt.  The Iowa game should be circled as a potential upset road victory as the Nance and Rebraca match-up will be important as the Hawkeyes have the more mobile frontcourt

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