2/19/07 - Weekend Notes

Ohio State coach Thad Matta shuffled up his starting lineup for Sunday's game at Minnesota, and one can't argue with the results. The Buckeyes knocked off Minnesota 85-67. OSU shot 49% for the game, took down 40 rebounds (15 offensive) and forced 15 Gopher turnovers. With Vanderbilt knocking off Florida on Saturday, the Big Ten is primed to have the #1 and #2 teams in the country when today's polls are released. Sunday's Ohio State-Wisconsin matchup could very well be #1 vs. #2. Michigan State continues it's climb back into NCAA Tournament talk with a very impressive 81-49 slaughter of Iowa. MSU shot 65.4% from the field and 53.8% (7-13) from the 3-point line in the 1st half on way to a 44-17 halftime lead. Spartan's Drew Neitzel scored 17 points on 11 shots in only 24 minutes. Iowa's only player in double figures was Adam Haluska with 11 points. Purdue's David Teague was named the Big Ten's Player of the Week. Teague scored a career high 32 points in Thursday's win over Indiana. Chief Illiniwek....HE GONE!! Illinois' controversial mascot will no longer perform at home events and the NCAA ban on Illinois hosting postseason events has been lifted. Just in time for the Illini to host an NIT game perhaps?