2009-10 Big Ten basketball

[Faceman]

So, in the 2009-10 Big Ten basketball thread, we're talking about the past 25 years.

Got it.

Here is the quote that much of the talk derived from (sorry JL)

I like Crean and I feel like NCAA basketball is a better world when IU is a power.

They haven't been for 15 years or more. The Big 10 doesn't need Indiana to be good. That is the point.

No worries...I'm going to try and move away from the most hated man in Big 10 country soon. With my degree, maybe I'll be commissioner of it one day.

Yes - when you are, please be a dear and try to find a way to make Big 10 football more aesthetically pleasing, would ya?

Did you go to the U?

No, I didn't go to the U, I've just been a fan since January 3rd, 1984. Can't explain why other than I thought the smoke was insanely awesome at a young age, and they're in my blood now.

I did both my undergraduate, and graduate work at Missouri State.

Well, I thought you were making a comment based on the fact that Jim Delaney (Big 10 Commish) is an ACC grad (UNC I believe).

[phins]

No, it was more to the fact that one of my undergrad's is in Sports Management, and my Master is in Administration.

[PurdueSTL]

Huzzah, Big Ten!

While the NCAA tourney is probably a better indicator of the relative strength of a conference, finally winning the Challenge removes some of the negative stigma attached to Big Ten hoops in recent years.

After a decade of bumblin' and stumblin' against the ACC, it's nice to have something over those guys in basketball for a change.

Hail Purdue, and kudos also to Scoonie, the Illini, the Buckeyes, the 'Cats, and the Lions for doing the Conference proud

Honestly - I think PSU winning game 1 meant quite a bit. Maybe to give teams like NU an extra bit of confidence, playing on the road in a challenge they generally lose in.

You've hit on the key to winning this thing--it's the mediocre to less than-highly-regarded conference schools handling their counterparts....

In past years, the ACC's "LTHR" schools have had their way with the Big Ten's LTHRs, which left the upper-tier schools without a chance.

[Faceman]

I agree. That is why, as much as I do love the challenge (and love finally winning it), it is not the almighty decider of which conference is better.

The ACC has probably been a better conference for the last 10 years (some years it's close, some years there is a gap) but it surely isn't because FSU beats Northwestern or whatever. The mid to bottom for the Big 10 have really hurt their chances in these challenges.

[albertmvpujols]

If I heard correctly, since this Big 10/ACC challenge has started there isn't a single Big 10 team that is above .500 in it, and only MSU is at .500. Last night's Wisconsin win was the first time Duke has lost in it as well I believe.

[Socnorb11]

Pretty slick 11 point win for Illinois over a decent Vanderbilt team tonight.

[ghostrunner]

IU beat PItt. Sadly that's their best victory of the last two seasons. Something to build on, though.

[PurdueSTL]

Pretty good weekend for the Big Ten:

Purdue demonstrates they belong among the nation's elite (so far) by going into Tuscaloosa, enduring an absolutlely euphoric atmosphere with the Mark Ingram Heisman announcement, and storming back from a 16-point second half deficit to take down a very athletic Alabama team;

Scoonie secures America's Dairyland bragging rights by holding off Marquette;

Indiana shows signs of feistiness before succumbing to Kentucky;

OSU gives some hope that there may be life without Evan Turner by taking Butler to the wire at Hinkel Fieldhouse;

Unfortunately, Penn State (except for the valiant Talor Battle) looked inept and uninspired in losing to VA Tech at home....

[phins]

Big Ten looks really solid in the upper tier this year...nothing wrong with Big Ten basketball at all this year.

[lukethedrifter]

Pretty good weekend for the Big Ten:

Purdue demonstrates they belong among the nation's elite (so far) by going into Tuscaloosa, enduring an absolutlely euphoric atmosphere with the Mark Ingram Heisman announcement, and storming back from a 16-point second half deficit to take down a very athletic Alabama team;

That Bama team lost to Cornell. I'm not saying it's not good to win away but don't get carried away with the level of competition.