In the space of 25 hours over the weekend, the thick layer of fog that has been hanging over this year’s wide-open Big Ten basketball race almost lifted.
It’s down to this: Wednesday night’s Illinois-Wisconsin game in Madison is for the Big Ten regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament March 13-16 at the United Center.
If the Illini defeat Wisconsin, they’ll guarantee themselves a share of their third straight league title. A subsequent victory over Minnesota in Champaign on Saturday or Sunday would give Illinois its first outright crown since 1951-52. An Illini loss would hand the Badgers a share.
If the Badgers defeat the Illini in their regular-season finale, they’ll clinch their second straight league title. But this one would be undisputed. Last year, the Badgers shared the title with Illinois, Indiana and Ohio State. Even if Illinois loses at Wisconsin, it can still earn the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten tournament with a victory over Minnesota next weekend.
The Illini would win a tiebreaker for second place with Michigan because of their two wins over the Wolverines.
Michigan (9-5) has to win their remaining games, at Penn State and at home against Purdue, and hope Illinois beats Wisconsin and then loses to Minnesota.
Big Ten title run
Teams still alive in the chase for the Big Ten title:
Wisconsin (11-4)
vs. Illinois, Wednesday
Illinois (10-4)
at Wisconsin, Wednesday
vs. Minnesota, Saturday or Sunday
Michigan (9-5)
at Penn State, Wednesday
vs. Purdue, Saturday or Sunday
The first time
Illinois 69, Wisconsin 63
The Fighting Illini can thank senior Brian Cook for this home victory since he scored 24 of his 31 points after halftime and helped hold the Badgers to five points over the first 9:22 of the second half. “He’s become the best player that I’ve ever coached,” Illinois coach Bill Self said after the game.
