“The Big Ten was bad this year. No way around the truth.”
– Bracketography’s David Mihm on Selection Sunday.
Lost in all the Selection Sunday madness was any discussion of the Big Ten. And, because of the questionable season the entire conference put together, maybe the lack of discussion [...]

Regardless of what happens in Indianapolis at this week’s Big Ten Tournament, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Wisconsin all are dancing. One team – Ohio State – still has realistic dreams of a landing on the right side of the Selection Sunday bubble.
That makes this year’s Big Ten Tournament a little mundane, but there are still [...]

Record: (24-4, 14-2 Big Ten)
Key Wins: @Texas, Indiana, @Indiana, Michigan State.
Key Losses: @Purdue, Purdue, @Duke, Marquette
Key Stat: 54.9. That is how many points per game the Badgers allow – best in the nation.
Key Numbers: RPI: 12; SOS: 42; NSOS: 61; Vs. Top 50: 4-4
Biggest Strengths: For years, coach Bo Ryan has used pieces of various [...]

When analyzing matchups, experts tend to look at the obvious: rankings, star players, and big-name coaches. All of these play a factor, but sometimes a win just comes down to knowing your opponent.
How does the opposition score? From the foul line? Mid-range jumpers? Three-pointers? And, almost as important, where are your team’s defensive weaknesses? Can [...]

2006-2007 Record: 30-6 (13-3) 2nd
Postseason Games:

3/9/2007
Michigan State
Big Ten Tournament
W
70-57

3/10/2007
Illinois
Big Ten Tournament
W
53-41

3/11/2007
Ohio State
Big Ten Tournament
L
66-49

3/16/2007
Texas A&M-CC
NCAA
W
76-63

3/18/2007
UNLV
NCAA
L
74-68

Returning Statistical Leaders:
8.8 ppg – Brian Butch
5.9 rpg – Brian Butch
2.9 apg – Michael Flowers

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Greg Stiemsma
6’11
Sr.
Fouls have limited potential breakthrough

PF
Brian Butch
6’11
Sr.
Don’t underestimate experience (88 games played)

SF
Marcus Landry
6’7
Jr.
Led team in blocks (31) last season

SG
Trevon Hughes
6’1
So.
Shot 31% in 31 games in [...]

Wisconsin (5-0) has not left the Kohl Center yet this season, but it will be much different environment in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Tuesday. It could be different outcome as well, considering the Badgers are undefeated after five home games. They pounded three puffcakes then destroyed Colorado by 26 and rolled past Georgia by 19. [...]

General Comments:
Selection Committee Chair Gary Walters has repeated in numerous interviews that this was the hardest field to select and seed that he has encountered in his five years on the Selection Committee. I agree wholeheartedly. The number of teams in contention for the last couple of at-large slots was already massive before all of [...]

Team personality: The Badgers are a true example of a team (with a little Alando on the side). Outside of Alando Tucker, a top three candidate for National Player of the Year, the Badgers have a slew of role players that do all the dirty work and play within coach Bo Ryan’s system.
Ryan’s swing offense, [...]