This B1G Week 2/11-17

Hello and welcome friends to another edition of this B1G Week. This week's B1G Storyline could've gone to the battle that's taking shape atop the conference but I'd rather look at the team in ninth. Illinois had a miserable start to the season. A lot of people had thought it would be difficult for them to win any games in the league. Yet here they are in February, 5-8 in conference play, winners of three straight and four out of their last five with a big-time upset victory over top-ten Michigan State team. The Illini still have no chance to make the big dance, a conference tourney championship excluded, but runs like they are on now are what programs can build themselves off of. 

Nonconference Game of the Midweek

Monday - 9:00 - ESPN - 2 Duke @ 15 Louisville - The game would have been UVA going up against UNC but since this post is coming out a day late it now goes to Duke and Louisville. The Cardinals came into the year with a new coach picked in the bottom half of the league but have been a very pleasant surprise. Duke is coming off of a big win over the weekend but I like the Cards to steal this one at home in a game where Duke might have their guard down.

Nonconference Game of the Weekend

Saturday - 8:00 - ESPN - 1 Tennessee @ 5 Kentucky - Another week another top-five matchup. Big Blue Nation is red hot, sorry I've been listening to Gus Johnson too much lately. Meanwhile, Tennessee is the team that I believe will be eventual national champs. While they'll be going back and forth with each other but eventually Tennessee's leadership and experience will win them the game. 

Power Ranking

1. Michigan
2. Purdue
3. Michigan State
4. Wisconsin
5. Maryland
6. Iowa
7. Ohio State
8. Minnesota
9. Indiana
10. Illinois
11. Rutgers
12. Northwestern
13. Nebraska
14. Penn State

Actual Rankings

1. Michigan 11-2 - 22-2
2. Purdue 10-2 - 17-6
3. Michigan State 10-3 - 19-5
4. Maryland 9-4 - 18-6
5. Wisconsin 9-4 - 17-7
6. Iowa 8-5 - 19-5
7. Ohio State 6-6 - 17-7
8. Minnesota - 6-6 - 16-7
9. Illinois 5-8 - 9-15
10. Indiana - 4-9 - 13-11
11. Rutgers - 4-9 - 11-12
12. Northwestern 3-9 - 12-11
13. Nebraska 3-10 - 13-11
14. Penn State 1-11 - 8-15

B1G Picks

Tuesday

6:30 pm - BTN - 12 Purdue @ 23 Maryland
Grant's Pick: , Troy's Pick: Maryland

7 pm - ESPN2 - 11 Michigan State @ 19 Wisconsin
Grant's Pick: , Troy's Pick: Wisconsin

8:30 pm - BTN - 6 Michigan @ Penn State
Grant's Pick: , Troy's Pick: Michigan

Wednesday

7 pm - BTN - Rutgers @ Northwestern

Grant's Pick: Northwestern, Troy's Pick: Northwestern

9 pm - BTN - Minnesota @ Nebraska
Grant's Pick: Minnesota, Troy's Pick: Minnesota

Thursday

7 pm - ESPN/2 - Illinois @ Ohio State
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Ohio State

Saturday

Noon - Fox - 23 Maryland @ 6 Michigan

Grant's Pick: Michigan, Troy's Pick: Michigan

2 pm - ESPN/2 - Indiana @ Minnesota
Grant's Pick: Minnesota, Troy's Pick: Minnesota

4 pm - BTN - Penn State @ 12 Purdue
Grant's Pick: Purdue, Troy's Pick: Purdue

6 pm - FS1 - 20 Iowa @ Rutgers
Grant's Pick: Iowa, Troy's Pick: Iowa

8:30 pm - BTN - Northwestern @ Nebraska
Grant's Pick: Nebraska, Troy's Pick: Nebraska

Sunday

1 pm - CBS - Ohio State @ 11 Michigan State

Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Michigan State

Grant's Previous Week Pick Record: 10-3

Grant's Total Pick Record: 37-26

Troy's Previous Week Pick Record: 9-4

Troy's Total Pick Record: 37-26



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