Player of the Week
EJ Liddell, Ohio State
This week has been very good for Ohio State but also for their star junior forward E.J. Liddell, who is awarded this week’s Player of the Week. In their game against Towson, Liddell put up 15 points and 7 rebounds in just 24 minutes. Playing the Badgers on Saturday Liddell balled out, dropping 28 points and 9 rebounds with 11-16 shooting from the floor in the victory. Ohio State is hot right now and that has a lot to do with the presence of their veteran star. To use a Former Buckeye, and legendary hoops analyst, Clark Kellogg expression, EJ Liddell is a “stat sheet stuffer”. On the season, he’s tearing through the competition to the tune of 20.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 3.0 blocks.
Who’s Hot
Ohio State
The Buckeyes have been rolling since their November 71-68 loss to Florida and this week was nothing different. Ohio State started off the week with Towson beating them 85-74 behind four players (three in the starting five) having double digit points. Following their win over the Tigers, the Buckeyes hosted their first conference home game against #22 Wisconsin. E.J. Liddell shined against the Badgers dropping 28 points and 9 rebounds on 11-16 shooting from the field in a 73-55 victory. It’ll be exciting to watch and see if the #15 Buckeyes can continue to roll against #21 Kentucky on Saturday.
Michigan State
Two conference wins during the week definitely earns you a spot on this week’s “Who’s Hot” list. The Spartans started out the week will a 75-67 win over Minnesota with also having four players (three in the starting five) having double digit points. Following up their win over the Gophers, the Spartans hosted the Nittany Lions on Saturday defeating them 80-64 behind senior forward Gabe Brown’s 15 points on 4-7 shooting from three. Starting off the year 9-2 and #12 in the new AP Poll ranking, this is Michigan State’s best start to a season in four years.
Who’s Not
Purdue
You would think after being ranked #1 for the first time in school history the dominance would continue, well Ron Harper Jr. had other plans. Harper Jr. hit a crazy buzzer beater shot to seal the 70-68 upset over Purdue and that’s the only reason why they’re on the “Who’s Not” list for this week. The Boilermakers bounced back strong against NC State beating the Wolfpack 82-72 and I wouldn’t be worried Purdue fans, this was just a bad game and with the severity of the rankings, that’s the only reason why you guys are on this list for this week.
Top 5 Best Arenas in the Big Ten (no order)
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (Indiana)
Opening in the 1971-72 season as the Assembly Hall and recently being dedicated in 2016 as the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, the Hoosiers stadiums holds a capacity of about 17,000 people. The stadium has been known for its history hosting some very big games including three teams who’ve won championships here.
Xfinity Center (Maryland)
Being fully built by 2002, Maryland’s home arena hosts on average about 18,000 people per game. The Xfinity Center has set records amongst the Big Ten and the NCAA with the Terrapins attendance throughout the years. Another plus note, besides basketball, Maryland uses this arena to host volleyball games and other school circular events.
The Breslin Center (Michigan State)
Named after former Michigan State alumni Jack Breslin, the Breslin Center opened up in 1989 and holds a capacity of about 15,000. This stadium has become a hard environment to play in against the Spartans which ultimately put them in the “Blue Blood” category with their success throughout the years.
Mackey Arena (Purdue)
Located in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Purdue’s historic stadium opened up in 1967 and holds a capacity of around 14,000 people. With lots and lots of banners hanging up above the court, this arena holds a lot of dominant history for the Boilermakers throughout all of college basketball.
Pinnacle Bank Arena (Nebraska)
Now this might come as a shock to some, but Nebraska’s arena is one of the most fascinating arenas in all of Big Ten. Holding a capacity of around 15,500 people, the Pinnacle Bank Arena was opened up back in 2013 replacing the previous arena, Bob Devaney Sports Center. Once the crowd noise gets better after Nebraska gets better, this arena can easily be one of the best in the Big Ten’s and that’s why I’m ranking it in the Top 5 based on potential.