USA TODAY International Edition
Big Ten duo not enjoying bubble
In November, usual Big Ten kingpins Michigan State and Indiana were preseason top- 12 teams in the coaches poll and projected No. 3 seeds in USA TODAY Sports’ preseason bracketology.
One week from March, the Spartans ( 16- 11, 8- 6) and the Hoosiers ( 15- 12, 5- 9) are in jeopardy of missing out on the field of 68 — as at- large bids.
The Hoosiers, on a four- game losing streak, are on thin ice. Non- conference wins against projected No. 1 seeds Kansas and North Carolina keep the Hoosiers in the at- large discussion, but a Rating Percentage Index in the 90s is glaring, as is a loss to Indiana- Purdue Fort Wayne. For much of the season, Tom Crean’s team has been somewhat schizophrenic.
Now it is just consistently bad, having lost six of seven. A road loss to Iowa on Tuesday would all but eliminate the Hoosiers’ atlarge chances.
Michigan State is a much different story.
The Spartans have fared way better in the Big Ten, including victories against Northwestern and Minnesota. But they’re lacking the signature win — one they could have gotten Saturday at Purdue — that would put them over the top.
Now they face a rough fourgame stretch that includes two of the league’s other top teams, Wisconsin and Maryland, and they’ll have to play without No. 3 scorer and veteran Eron Harris, who is out for the season with a knee injury. That leaves coach Tom Izzo with a ridiculously young lineup with waves of postseason pressure hanging in the balance.
Not an ideal scenario, but at least a freshman- laden roster and injuries could explain a season without an NCAA tournament appearance. Indiana has less room for excuses.
Unlike fellow Big Ten bubble team Michigan, which is trending upward with wins against Indiana and Michigan State — as well as Wisconsin — it’s safe to say the Hoosiers and Spartans are in the danger zone. This week and next will be as pivotal as it gets for both squads.
MICHIGAN STATE
Profile: 16- 11 ( 8- 6) 43 RPI, 14 strength of schedule, 18 non- conference strength of schedule The good: Wins vs. Minnesota ( twice), Northwestern, Wichita State, Michigan, Ohio State The bad: Loss vs. Northeastern INDIANA Profile: 15- 12 ( 5- 9) 90 RPI, 37 strength of schedule, 151 nonconference strength of schedule
The good: Wins vs. Kansas, North Carolina, Michigan State, Illinois The bad: Loss vs. IPFW