This B1G Week 11/25-12/1

Hello and welcome friends to another edition of this B1G Week. So close. We were so close to having a perfect week in the Big Ten. The league as the whole went 20-1 with the lone loss belonging to Northwestern against Radford. Sure it wasn't against the toughest competition but perfection is still perfection.

That light competition is well deserved though with what's coming up. This is Feast Week with several Big Ten teams competing in Thanksgiving tournaments. This week will be followed up with the Big Ten ACC challenge and immediately after by the December conference games.

Note: we will not be making prediction for tournament games past the first round as opponents past that round are yet to be determined. 

Big Ten Game of the Week

Monday-Wednesday - Various Times - ESPN Networks - Maui Invitation - I'm choosing this as the conference game of the week because Michigan State has the potential to have the biggest matchup, possibly facing off against Kansas in the final. Georgia and Virginia Tech will be interesting teams to watch in the top half of the bracket but it'll be surprising if it's not the Jayhawks and Spartans playing for the title.

Nonconference Game of the Week

Wednesday-Friday - Various Times - ESPN Networks - Battle 4 Atlantis - This tournament does feature a conference team in Michigan but they aren't the featured player down in the Bahamas. Paradise Island this year features two top ten teams, North Carolina and Gonzaga, and a top fifteen matchup in the first round, Seton Hall vs Oregon. I expect Carolina to make it to the championship game but the bottom half of the bracket is anyone's game. 

Power Ranking

1. Michigan State (0)
2. Ohio State (0)
3. Maryland (0)
4. Michigan (0)
5. Wisconsin (0)
6. Penn State (0)
7. Indiana (0)
8. Purdue (0)
9. Illinois (0)
10. Rutgers (0)
11. Iowa (0)
12. Minnesota (0)
13. Nebraska (+1)
14. Northwestern (-1)

Power Ranking Thoughts

Only one change in this week's power rankings. We were left with no choice but to move Northwestern down a notch due to them ruining the conference's perfect week. That wasn't very Rad(ford) of them. 

Actual Rankings

1. Indiana - 5-0
2. Maryland - 5-0
3. Ohio State - 5-0
4. Penn State - 5-0
5. Michigan - 4-0
6. Illinois - 5-1
7. Iowa - 4-1
8. Rutgers - 4-1
9. Wisconsin - 4-1
10. Michigan State - 3-1
11. Purdue - 3-2
12. Minnesota - 3-3
13. Nebraska - 2-2
14. Northwestern - 2-2

B1G Picks

Monday

5 pm - ESPN 2 - Virginia Tech @ Michigan State

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

6:30 pm - BTN - Kent State @ Ohio State
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Ohio State

7 pm - ESPN 2 - Wisconsin vs Richmond
Grant's Pick: Wisconsin, Troy's Pick: Wisconsin

7:30 pm - Washington State @ Nebraska
Grant's Pick: Nebraska, Troy's Pick: Nebraska

8:30 pm - BTN - Lousiana Tech @ Indiana
Grant's Pick: Indiana, Troy's Pick: Indiana

8:30 pm - FS1 - Bradley vs Northwestern
Grant's Pick: Bradley, Troy's Pick: Bradley

Tuesday

7 pm - BTN - NJIT @ Rutgers
Grant's Pick: Rutgers, Troy's Pick: Rutgers

8 - BTN + - Lindenwood @ Illinois
Grant's Pick: Illinois, Troy's Pick: Illinois

TBD - Wisconsin vs Auburn/New Mexico

TBD - Nebraska vs George Mason/Old Dominion 

TBD - Michigan State vs Dayton/Georgia

Wednesday

Noon - BTN - Michigan vs Iowa State

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

5 pm - ESPN 2 - Ole Miss @ Penn State
Grant's Pick: Ole Miss, Troy's Pick: Penn State

TBD - Northwestern vs Kansas State/Pittsburgh

TBD - Nebraska vs TBD

TBD - Michigan State vs TBD

Thursday

11 am - ESPN 2 - Maryland vs Temple
Grant's Pick: Maryland, Troy's Pick: Maryland

8 pm - FS1 - Texas Tech vs Iowa
Grant's Pick: Texas Tech, Troy's Pick: Texas Tech

TBD - ESPN/2 - Michigan vs Alabama/North Carolina

Friday

2 pm - BTN + - UMass @ Rutgers
Grant's Pick: Rutgers, Troy's Pick: Rutgers

3 pm - BTN + - DePaul @ Minnesota
Grant's Pick: Minnesota, Troy's Pick: Minnesota

9 pm - BTN - Morgan State @ Ohio State
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Ohio State

9:30 - CBS Sports - VCU vs Purdue
Grant's Pick: VCU, Troy's Pick: VCU

TBD - ESPN 2/U/News - Penn State vs Oklahoma State/Syracuse

TBD - ESPN/2 - Michigan vs TBD

TBD - Maryland vs Texas A&M/Harvard

TBD - FS1 - Iowa vs Creighton/San Diego State

Saturday

Noon/4 pm - BTN/+ - South Dakota State @ Indiana

Grant's Pick: Indiana, Troy's Pick: Indiana

Sunday

TBD - Maryland vs TBD

Grant's Previous Week Pick Record: 20-1

Grant's Total Pick Record: 57-8

Troy's Previous Week Pick Record: 20-1

Troy's Total Pick Record: 55-11



To stay up to date on the newest Head in the Game articles (and general sports commentary), follow @headingameblog on Twitter. You can also find us on Twitter @T_RoyStory (Troy) and @G_Tingley (Grant)

This B1G Week 11/18-24

Hello and welcome friends to another edition of this B1G Week. Another Gavitt Tipoff Games have come and gone with the Big Ten being victorious for the second straight season with another 5-3 win. The biggest shock was Ohio State beating Villanova by 25 points. Michigan State pulled off a close victory over what should end up being a very good Seton Hall squad. On the more disappointing side is Iowa, who lost by 15 at to a pedestrian DePaul team, and Purdue, who blew a big lead to lose by ten to Marquette.

Looking ahead, this week could be classified as the calm before the storm. There isn't a single power conference team played this week and only three top 150 KenPom teams, in fact the average KenPom ranking for this week is only 242. Several of the teams are playing in Thanksgiving tournaments next week so this week will be light on the competition. 

Big Ten Game of the Week

Tuesday - 6:30 pm - BTN - Bucknell @ Penn State - This is a pretty sleepy week for the league with the Big Ten collectively playing not one power conference team and only three top 150 KenPom opponents. Two of those opponents are playing Penn State. That's it, that's the rationale behind picking this game.

Nonconference Game of the Week

Thursday-Friday - Varies - ESPN Family - Empire Classic - Early season tournaments are just starting up and the Empire Classic is the first interesting one to come up. The tournament begins with Texas and Georgetown facing off at 7 pm on Thursday and Duke vs Cal following. The championship and third-place games take place on Friday evening. Duke is the clear favorite to win this one but look out for Texas to put up a good fight. 

Power Ranking

1. Michigan State (0)
2. Ohio State (+1)
3. Maryland (-1)
4. Michigan (0)
5. Wisconsin (+3)
6. Penn State (+1)
7. Indiana (-1)
8. Purdue (-3)
9. Illinois (+1)
10. Rutgers (+1)
11. Iowa (-1)
12. Minnesota (0)
13. Northwestern (0)
14. Nebraska (0)

Power Ranking Thoughts

There was some moving and shaking in the middle of the pack this week. Wisconsin made the biggest leap of the week after their impressive win against in-state rival Marquette. On the other end, Purdue had the biggest fall after blowing a huge lead against the same Marquette team. 

Actual Rankings

1. Indiana 4-0
2. Maryland 3-0
3. Michigan 3-0
4. Ohio State 3-0
5. Penn State 3-0
6. Rutgers 3-1
7. Wisconsin 3-1
8. Illinois 2-1
9. Iowa 2-1
10. Michigan State 2-1
11. Purdue 2-2
12. Northwestern 1-1
13. Nebraska 1-2
14. Minnesota 1-3

B1G Picks

Monday

6:30 pm - BTN - Charleston Southern @ Michigan

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

8 pm - ESPNU - Hawai'i @ Illinois 
Grant's Pick: Illinois, Troy's Pick: Illinois

8:30 pm - BTN - Stetson @ Ohio State
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Ohio State

Tuesday

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

8 pm - BTN + - Radford @ Northwestern
Grant's Pick: Northwestern, Troy's Pick: Northwestern

8:30 pm - BTN - Fairfield @ Maryland
Grant's Pick: Maryland, Troy's Pick: Maryland

Wednesday

7 pm - BTN + - Stephen F Austin @ Rutgers

Grant's Pick: Rutgers, Troy's Pick: Rutgers

7 pm - BTN - Princeton @ Indiana
Grant's Pick: Indiana, Troy's Pick: Indiana

9 pm - BTN - The Citadel @ Illinois
Grant's Pick: Illinois, Troy's Pick: Illinois

Thursday

7 pm - BTN - North Florida @ Iowa
Grant's Pick: Iowa, Troy's Pick: Iowa

8 pm - BTN + - Central Michigan @ Minnesota
Grant's Pick: Minnesota, Troy's Pick: Minnesota

9 pm - BTN - Green Bay @ Wisconsin
Grant's Pick: Wisconsin, Troy's Pick: Wisconsin

Friday

7 pm - BTN - George Mason @ Maryland
Grant's Pick: Maryland, Troy's Pick: Maryland

7 pm - BTN + - Houston Baptist @ Michigan
Grant's Pick: Michigan, Troy's Pick: Michigan

7 pm - BTN + - IPFW @ Ohio State
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Ohio State

8 pm - Norfolk State @ Northwestern
Grant's Pick: Northwestern, Troy's Pick: Northwestern

8 pm - BTN + - Southern @ Nebraska
Grant's Pick: Nebraska, Troy's Pick: Nebraska

Saturday

Noon - BTN + -  Yale @ Penn State
Grant's Pick: Penn State, Troy's Pick: Penn State

8 - BTN - Jackson State @ Purdue

Grant's Pick: Purdue, Troy's Pick: Purdue

8 - BTN+ - Hampton @ Illinois
Grant's Pick: Illinois, Troy's Pick: Illinois

Sunday

5 pm - BTN - Cal Poly @ Iowa

Grant's Pick: Iowa, Troy's Pick: Iowa

7 pm - BTN - North Dakota @ Minnesota
Grant's Pick: Minnesota, Troy's Pick: Minnesota

Grant's Previous Week Pick Record: 16-3

Grant's Total Pick Record: 37-7

Troy's Previous Week Pick Record: 14-5

Troy's Total Pick Record: 35-10



To stay up to date on the newest Head in the Game articles (and general sports commentary), follow @headingameblog on Twitter. You can also find us on Twitter @T_RoyStory (Troy) and @G_Tingley (Grant)

This B1G Week 11/11-17

Before beginning, we would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Michigan State's Cassius Winston and his family on the sudden loss of his brother Zachary who tragically passed away Saturday evening. 

Hello and welcome friends to another edition of this B1G Week. The very first week of the 2019-2020 college basketball season is in the books. We've already seen one blockbuster not fall the Big Ten's way and a couple extremely disappointing efforts but the bottom of the league table.

The new week brings many of the league's teams' first real challenge of the season with the Gavitt Tipoff Games. Entering the fifth year of these games the Big Ten and Big East split the first three series and the Big Ten winning last year's edition. I expect this season to be as competitive as ever but my current prediction is that the Midwest concurs the East Coast again this year. 

Big Ten Game of the Week

Wednesday - 7 PM - FS1 - Villanova @ Ohio State - The highlight matchup of this year's Gavitt Tipoff Games of undoubtedly this game. Nova has won two of the last four National Titles while Ohio State has hopes to compete for a Big Ten title. Ohio State has a chance playing at home but at the end of the day, I feel like the Buckeyes just can't match the Wildcats' roster or coaching talent.

Nonconference Game of the Week

Tuesday - 9 PM - ESPN - Oregon vs Memphis - The Memphis Tigers have had an interesting week. News broke that number one overall recruit, James Wiseman, is ineligible for the season, or is he, hours before their game on Friday yet he still played in that game. The whole situation has a lot of grey area and that isn't clear right now. If he plays I like Memphis, if not I'm taking the Ducks.  

Power Ranking

Change from the previous week in parentheses

1. Michigan State (0)
2. Maryland (0)
3. Ohio State (0)
4. Michigan (0)
5. Purdue (0)
6. Indiana (+1)
7. Penn State (+1)
8. Wisconsin (-2)
9. Iowa (+1)
10. Illinois (-1)
11. Rutgers (0)
12. Minnesota (0)
13. Northwestern (+1)
14. Nebraska (-1)

Power Ranking Thoughts

The Power Rankings haven't drastically changed yet as it is hard to tell much yet about teams after just the first week of the year. The top five remains unchanged as it's hard to fault MSU for losing to the number two team in the country. Wisconsin fell two spots simply due to them losing at home, all be it to a good Saint Mary's team, while IU and Penn State starting 2-0. Northwestern and Nebraska flipped places because of Nebraska losing two buy games at home. 

Actual Rankings

Teams with Similar Records are Listed Alphabetically

1. Indiana 2-0
2. Ohio State 2-0
3. Penn State 2-0
4. Maryland 2-0
5. Rutgers 2-0
6. Illinois 2-1
7. Iowa 1-0
8. Michigan 1-0
9. Michigan State 1-1
10. Minnesota 1-1
11. Purdue 1-1
12. Wisconsin 1-1
13. Northwestern 0-1
14. Nebraska 0-2

B1G Picks

Monday

8 pm - FS1 - DePaul @ Iowa

Grant's Pick: Iowa, Troy's Pick: Iowa

Tuesday

6:30 pm - FS1 - Creighton @ Michigan
Grant's Pick: Michigan, Troy's Pick: Michigan

7 pm - BTN - Northern Alabama @ Indiana
Grant's Pick: Indiana, Troy's Pick: Indiana

8:30 pm - FS1 - Minnesota @ Butler
Grant's Pick: Minnesota, Troy's Pick: Minnesota

Wednesday

7 pm - FS1- Villanova @ Ohio State

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

7 pm - BTN - McNeese @ Wisconsin
Grant's Pick: Wisconsin, Troy's Pick: Wisconsin

8 pm - BTN + - Drexel @ Rutgers
Grant's Pick: Rutgers, Troy's Pick: Rutgers

9 pm - FS1 - Purdue @ Marquette 
Grant's Pick: Marquette, Troy's Pick: Marquette

9 pm - BTN - Providence @ Northwestern
Grant's Pick: Providence, Troy's Pick: Providence

Thursday

6:30 pm - FS1 - Penn State @ Georgetown
Grant's Pick: Penn State, Troy's Pick: Penn State

8:30 pm - FS1 - Michigan State @ Seton Hall
Grant's Pick: Michigan State, Troy's Pick: Michigan State

Friday

7 pm - BTN - Elon @ Michigan
Grant's Pick: Michigan, Troy's Pick: Michigan

8 pm - BTN + - Oral Roberts @ Iowa
Grant's Pick: Iowa, Troy's Pick: Iowa

9 pm - BTN - South Dakota State @ Nebraska 
Grant's Pick: Nebraska, Troy's Pick: Nebraska

9 pm - PAC-12 Network - Minnesota @ Utah
Grant's Pick: Utah, Troy's Pick: Utah

Saturday

Noon - BTN+ - Oakland @ Maryland

Grant's Pick: Maryland, Troy's Pick: Maryland

2 pm - BTN+ - Chicago State @ Purdue 
Grant's Pick: Purdue, Troy's Pick: Purdue

7:30 pm - ESPN + - Rutgers @ St. Bonaventure
Grant's Pick: St. Bonaventure, Troy's Pick: Rutgers

8 pm - BTN - Troy @ Indiana
Grant's Pick: Indiana, Troy's Pick: Indiana

Sunday

1 pm - FS1 - Marquette @ Wisconsin

Grant's Pick: Marquette, Troy's Pick: Wisconsin

Grant's Previous Week Pick Record: 22-4

Grant's Total Pick Record: 22-4

Troy's Previous Week Pick Record: 21-5

Troy's Total Pick Record: 21-5



To stay up to date on the newest Head in the Game articles (and general sports commentary), follow @headingameblog on Twitter. You can also find us on Twitter @T_RoyStory (Troy) and @G_Tingley (Grant)

This B1G Week 11/4-10

Hello and welcome friends to another edition of This B1G Week. Do you smell that smell? That smelly smell that smells...smelly. That smell that your smelling is the beautiful scent of collegiate basketball. More importantly, Big Ten Basketball is back. This year is shaping up to be another hype competitive one. The league enters the 2019-2020 season with four ranked teams and two in the top ten with the top-ranked team in America.

The conference will once again be very deep. Almost the entirety of the Big Ten could legitimately make the tournament. The first week of the year is a majority of low mid-major schools going up against Big Ten teams with the exception of a couple high profile games including Michigan State vs Kentucky, Saint Mary's @ Wisconsin, and a couple more over the weekend.

Oh also This B1G Week is officially going to be going on every week of the college basketball season so you can tune in every week. 

Big Ten Game of the Week

Tuesday 11/5 - 9:30 PM - ESPN - 1 Michigan State vs 2 Kentucky - I feel like this is fairly obvious. The preseason number one team is playing the preseason number two seed on opening night. It's one and dones vs experience. The preseason favorite for Big Ten player of the year vs potential lottery picks. Being the first game of the year I give the edge to Michigan State and Cassius Winston in this game.

Nonconference Game of the Week

Tuesday 11/5 - 7 PM - ESPN - 3 Kansas vs 4 Duke - Another obvious pick here as the preseason number three is playing the preseason number four. This will be another hotly contested matchup between two young and highly talented teams. I think Kansas is a little more well balanced as to where they have their talent so I think they'll squeeze this one out.  

Power Ranking

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

B1G Picks

Tuesday

7 pm - BTN - Appalachian State @ Michigan
Grant's Pick: Michigan, Troy's Pick: Michigan

7 pm - BTN + - Western Illinois @ Indiana 
Grant's Pick: Indiana, Troy's Pick: Indiana

7 pm - BTN + - Maryland-Eastern Shores @ Penn State
Grant's Pick: Penn State, Troy's Pick: Penn State

7:30 pm - BTN + - Holy Cross @ 7 Maryland
Grant's Pick: Maryland, Troy's Pick: Maryland

8 pm - BTN + - Nicholls @ Illinois 
Grant's Pick: Illinois, Troy's Pick: Illinois

8 pm - BTN + - Cleveland State @ Minnesota
Grant's Pick: Minnesota, Troy's Pick: Minnesota

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

9 pm - ESPNU - 20 Saint Mary's @ Wisconsin
Grant's Pick: Saint Mary's, Troy's Pick: Wisconsin

9:30 - ESPN - 1 Michigan State @ 2 Kentucky
Grant's Pick: Kentucky, Troy's Pick: Michigan State

Wednesday

7 pm - BTN - Green Bay @ 23 Purdue

Grant's Pick: Purdue, Troy's Pick: Purdue

8:30 pm - FS1 - Cincinnati @ 18 Ohio State
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Ohio State

Thursday

7 pm - BTN - Bryant @Rutgers
Grant's Pick: Rutgers, Troy's Pick: Rutgers

Friday

8 pm - BTN + - Eastern Illinois @ Wisconsin
Grant's Pick: Wisconsin, Troy's Pick: Wisconsin

8 pm - BTN + - Merrimack @ Northwestern
Grant's Pick: Northwestern, Troy's Pick: Northwestern

9 pm - BTN - SIU-Edwardsville @ Iowa
Grant's Pick: Iowa, Troy's Pick: Iowa

9 pm - Illinois @ Grand Canyon
Grant's Pick: Illinois, Troy's Pick: Illinois

Saturday

2 pm - BTN + - Southern Utah @ Nebraska

Grant's Pick: Nebraska, Troy's Pick: Nebraska

2 pm - BTN + - Portland State @ Indiana
Grant's Pick: Indiana, Troy's Pick: Indiana

5 pm - BTN + - Wagner @ Penn State
Grant's Pick: Penn State, Troy's Pick: Penn State

7 pm - FS1 - Texas @ 23 Purdue
Grant's Pick: Purdue, Troy's Pick: Texas

8 pm - BTN - Oklahoma vs Minnesota
Grant's Pick: Oklahoma, Troy's Pick: Oklahoma

9 pm - FS1 - Rhode Island @ 7 Maryland
Grant's Pick: Maryland, Troy's Pick: Maryland

Sunday

1 pm - BTN + - Niagara @ Rutgers

Grant's Pick: Rutgers, Troy's Pick: Rutgers

4 pm - ESPNU - UMass Lowell @ 18 Ohio State
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Ohio State

7 pm - BTN - Binghampton @ 1 Michigan State
Grant's Pick: Michigan State, Troy's Pick: Michigan State

9 pm - PAC-12 Network - Illinois @ 21 Arizona
Grant's Pick: Arizona, Troy's Pick: Arizona




Grant's Previous Season Pick Record: 60-43 (58.3%)

Troy's Previous Season Pick Record: 72-41 (63.7%)

To stay up to date on the newest Head in the Game articles (and general sports commentary), follow @headingameblog on Twitter. You can also find us on Twitter @T_RoyStory (Troy) and @G_Tingley (Grant)