Hoopraker

Back on January 4, Michigan State opened the Big Ten with a 62-60 loss in Iowa City. It was game where the depleted Spartans had numerous chances but couldn’t close the deal on the road. The Hawkeyes took advantage of the win and put the humiliating losses to Drake and Northern Iowa out to pasture. Entering Saturday’s game with Michigan State at the Breslin Center, Iowa’s young team is playing its best basketball of the season but it may not be enough. (more…)

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One boasts a 10 game winning streak. One is mired in a vortex of 10 straight losses. For twenty minutes last night, standings, gaudy wins, bleak losses, five-star recruits, and marginal prospects were rendered meaningless. Inspired by a confident and positive Ed DeChellis, Penn State outscored Ohio State by 19 points in the second half, 43-24. Let me repeat that for emphasis, Ohio State gave up 43 points to Penn State in the second half. One wonders what was said in Ohio State’s locker room. (more…)

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From a rivalry standpoint tonight’s game in East Lansing has no value. Since his arrival to the Big Ten in 2001-02, Amaker has gone 2-6 against Izzo with an average loss margin of 15.3 points. From a pure basketball standpoint it is not the kind of matchup that has connoisseurs giddy in anticipation. (more…)

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There’s a revival afoot in Bloomington, Indiana and it’s swelling the church on East 17th Street with a hungry and increasingly fervent faithful. Leading the ecstasy is a charismatic newcomer with a forked tongue who promises redemption, rectitude, and above all, life after February for his flock. (more…)

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I should reconsider my assessment of Ohio State being the best hope for the Conference in the NCAA Tourney. Wisconsin is flat out sweet and getting sweeter every game. Bo Ryan has each player understanding their role in the Wisconsin Swing Offense. They play a full forty minutes without time off for good behavior. They make the extra pass. They screen and cut with precision. It’s a team where everyone complements the whole. Who wouldn’t want to play for Hambone Ryan before a packed Kohl Center? It’s thing of beauty. (more…)

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February 3, Madison, Wis. - Northwestern traveled to the Kohl Center for their second game in the home and away match-up with the Badgers. Recall that the Cats gave the Badgers a very good scare on Jan. 13th before losing 56 to 50. On this artic cold afternoon both teams were sluggish from the start. (more…)

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What’s happened to Penn State?  A team with Gerry Claxton and Jamelle Cornley shouldn’t be this bad. In a season that started with the promise of an NCAA tourney bid, Ed DeChellis’s squad is, as the Lemonheads might say, a ship without a rudder. (more…)

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The refrain is as familiar to the national sports media as Brick House to a wedding DJ. Every year about this time the same song is sung. Always in late January or early February, usually after many of the conference’s teams have been beating up on each other, inflicting tough losses, and before the pivotal final month of conference play when the well-coached teams have fully evolved. (more…)

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