Kyle Beery | 97.1 The Ticket
Michigan and Michigan State fans were rudely reminded on Sunday just what life on the road in the Big Ten is all about. Purdue thrashed the Spartans 71-42 and forced 18 turnovers at Mackey Arena, while the Wolverines went into The Barn and saw Daniel Oturu lead Minnesota to a 75-67 win.
Big Ten teams are 5-32 on the road in conference play this season, so it's no real surprise that either team took their lumps over the weekend. But it was surprising to see the way the Spartans' offense failed to make the trip to West Lafayette. Really that's the story all across the sport. Road games are never easy.
It'll only get tougher from here on out.
Here's a look at the best games you should be watching around the world of college basketball this week.
Local Games
Friday, Jan. 17
Wisconsin @ No. 15 Michigan State – 7 p.m., FS1
Cassius Winston played what was likely the worst game he'll play in the Big Ten slate this season on Sunday, with just 10 points and nine turnovers in the blowout loss at Purdue.
Winston and the Spartans will be looking to get back on track against a peculiar Wisconsin team. The Badgers own nice wins at Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee, but have taken losses to Richmond, New Mexico and an underachieving Illinois team. Micah Potter, a transfer from OSU, is now eligible and is averaging 9.5 points through his first six games.
No. 19 Michigan @ Iowa – 9 p.m., FS1
Michigan's biggest weakness has been exposed. They do not defend against big men well. At all. There have been three different Big Ten centers that have eclipsed the 30-point mark against the Wolverines. In last week's games, Purdue's Trevion Williams went for 36 points and 20 rebounds, while Minnesota's Daniel Oturu scored 30.
Now they have to face the other guy who did that to them – Iowa's Luka Garza, who put up a gaudy 44 points in Ann Arbor in early December. The Hawkeyes have one of the best offensive efficiency ratings in the country and they just dismantled Maryland at home last Friday. This is a tough spot for a Michigan team that needs to start stacking quality wins to bolster its tournament resume.
National Games
Tuesday, Jan. 14
VCU @ No. 13 Dayton – 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
If you haven't seen Dayton's Obi Toppin play yet, you're doing something wrong.
More Obi Toppin, who has 14 points. pic.twitter.com/r4RsWmiYME
— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) January 11, 2020He's expected to be a game-time decision Tuesday after suffering an ankle injury against UMass over the weekend, but if he's on the court, he's a must-watch.
Though VCU just took a tough loss against Rhode Island after things were finally looking up for the preseason A-10 favorite. Finding a way to win on the road against a potential Final Four contender would be a huge boost to the Rams' resume.
Wednesday, Jan. 15
No. 18 Seton Hall @ No. 5 Butler – 6:30 p.m., FS1
This is without a doubt the best game of the week. It features two great guards in Myles Powell and Kamar Baldwin and two top-10 defenses. Hinkle Fieldhouse will be fired up.
What more could you want in a mid-week showdown? This will come down to whose defense can do a better job of containing the other team's star.
Saturday, Jan. 18
UConn @ No. 14 Villanova – Noon, FS1
In a rare jump back to non-conference play, this one is a preview of what's to come in the near future, as UConn makes its move back to the Big East next season. The Huskies are off to a rough start in their final year in the American, but are capable of playing with quality opponents – see Sunday's overtime loss to Wichita State.
Playing at Villanova is a whole other beast, though. The Wildcats have a top-10 offense, thanks to emerging star Saddiq Bey – one of five players averaging double figures for Jay Wright's team.
No. 4 Auburn @ Florida – 1:30 p.m., CBS
The Tigers' unblemished record may be in jeopardy at the O'Dome on Saturday. The Gators fell well short of preseason expectations early on, but losses to Florida State and Butler have turned out to be not nearly as bad as when they happened.
Virginia Tech transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr. is starting to come around and Florida could inject life back into its season with a win over a very good Auburn team.
No. 8 Oregon @ Washington – 3:45 p.m., CBS
The Huskies are floundering, having lost three of four to start Pac-12 play. While that record may not sound as bad, given the league's very-much improved standing this year, the losses to Cal and UCLA are brutal. The freshmen talent is still there, however, and it will need to show up Saturday to knock off player of the year candidate Payton Pritchard and the Ducks.
No. 10 Kentucky @ Arkansas – 4 p.m., ESPN
Former Nevada coach Eric Musselman has the Razorbacks quietly sitting at 13-2 and likely headed for an NCAA Tournament spot. A loss to Western Kentucky is the only thing keeping the Hogs from being ranked at this point. Dispatching of the Wildcats inside Bud Walton Arena would do the trick.
No. 11 Louisville @ No. 3 Duke – 6 p.m., ESPN
"Duke is 0.2 seconds on an off night over Thanksgiving break away from being undefeated and considered the undisputed No. 1 team in the country." The Blue Devils' offense is finally humming, Vernon Carey and Tre Jones looking unstoppable at times.
Louisville is trending in the other direction. In their last four games, the Cards have lost to Kentucky and Florida State, while surviving a major scare form Notre Dame over the weekend.
BYU @ No. 1 Gonzaga – 10 p.m., ESPN2
Say what you will about the Bulldogs belonging to a mid-major conference. Gonzaga. Is. Good.
The Zags own wins over Oregon, Arizona and Washington and their lone loss came to a blazing hot Michigan team in their third game in three days. And the WCC isn't as bad as you think. Saint Mary's is a tournament team and BYU, despite a rough start to the season without Yoeli Childs, is in the mix as well. Three tournament teams out of the WCC could very well match the number of teams out of the ACC if this season continues on the weird trajectory it's on.
Treat yourself to some great late night hoops this Saturday.
