A 69-63 overtime win by Illinois over Kent State last night tempered somewhat the pain of three stinging Big Ten losses within 24 hours.  On Thanksgiving, Michigan State was regrettably pushed around by Maryland. On Friday afternoon, with the added burden of a whistle happy officiating crew, Purdue faded against an Oklahoma team it should have beaten.  And for a night cap, despite marked improvement in its offensive execution, Iowa was pummeled by the rough pressure of Bob Huggins’ latest incarnation of tough guys at West Virgina, including the erstwhile former IU commit Devin Ebanks.  (more…)

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Ohio State escaped Louis Orr’s Bowling Green team 61-57 on Monday night in Columbus.  They played poor perimeter defense against players named Jakubowski and Clements and, most glaringly, they demonstrated a desperate need for a replacement to Jamar Butler at the point. (more…)

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With a belly full of prime beef lathered with Roquefort cheese and washed down by a crisp Old Speckled Hen from the Spotted Pig, Hoopraker will witness the season begin in earnest for Purdue tonight in Madison Square Garden against Boston College, the red-headed step-child of the ACC.  After Wisconsin was rudely awakened to the reality of competitive basketball by UConn, the Big Ten looks to its premier team to Boiler Up. (more…)

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So it’s official.  On Friday night, Michigan was the first Big Ten team to fall, losing fair and square to Duke. They’ll get another crack at Duke in two weeks in Ann Arbor. Wisconsin could be the second conference team to stumble when they play No. 2 UConn tonight. After a weekend of football blow outs, Big Ten fans now turn their attention in earnest to basketball. (more…)

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It means little and it all might end tonight when Michigan plays Duke, but through ten days of hoops and 27 games, the Big Ten is undefeated.  In Michigan’s win over Ben Howland’s young but talent-laden 4th ranked UCLA Bruins 55-52 last night in Madison Square Garden and in Illinois’ 69-63 win over Vanderbilt in Nashville, two Big Ten coaches served notice that last year’s numerous losses didn’t disguise impressive seasons of growth by their programs. (more…)

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Matt Painter and Purdue enter a season marked with high expectations.  But, in a season-opening 82-50 win against Detroit, E’twaun Moore found himself on the bench at tip off, having lost his starting spot for what’s been called a violation of team rules during practice.  Painter laid down the law and swiftly.  While Moore’s digression may or may not be an isolated incident, with the cascade of transfers in recent seasons (none more surprising than Scott Martin) at the very least, it’s worth keeping one eye gazed on Purdue’s chemistry as they steam into a season as Conference favorites.  (more…)

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Save the miraculous Blake Hoffarber shot against Indiana at Conseco last March, the Gophers of last season beat who they were supposed to beat and lost to whom they were supposed to lose.  Hoopraker looks forward to the progress Tubby Smith has hopefully made in restoring some of the luster to Minnesota’s proud hoops history. (more…)

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Radio Silence.  The opening tips are upon us and I catch myself shooting free throws against my bedroom walls with socks.  Disgusted with the whimper of the Big Ten basketball last March, Hoopraker abruptly unplugged its Mac and tuned out.  But, with leaves now thoroughly covering my yard, I must reconcile my addiction.  I’m hooked. I have little choice.  A few of the storylines that keeps Hoopraker coming back for more sweet and pure basketball junk: (more…)

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