Big Ten Conference Notebook
by John Sahly
This week in the Big 10 provided fans with one of the more newsworthy weeks in recent memory. There were some great games, off the court trouble and still a few unanswered questions going into this week.
Illini keep on rolling
It’s a new week, but the same old story for the No. 1 Illinois Fighting Illini.
This week Wisconsin provided Illinois with one of its biggest challenges this season thus far, and the Fighting Illini responded with ending the Badgers 38-game home winning streak. It was coach Bo Ryan’s first home loss in his Big Ten career and the Illini avenged an embarrassing 20-point loss in Madison last season. Unheralded senior forward Jack Ingram provided two daggers for the Illini in the form of back-to-back three pointers late in the second half.
Ingram had made two three-pointers all season up to that point. Senior guard Luther Head proved once again why he might be the most dangerous guard in Illinois’ lineup, as he led all scorers with 18 points.
Horton charged with domestic violence
Michigan guard Daniel Horton was suspended from the team indefinitely after being charged with domestic violence on Monday. “Given the seriousness and sensitivity of the situation, we feel it is in everyone’s best interest that we suspend Daniel pending further review,” coach Tommy Amaker said in a statement.
“We feel this is the right course of action at this time.” The charge alleges Horton grabbed his girlfriend around the neck and choked her on Dec. 10.
Horton’s girlfriend filed a police report on Dec. 13. If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, Horton faces as much as 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Iowa changes things up
No. 24 Iowa benched four of its starters for Saturday’s game against Indiana because of sluggish play in an overtime loss to Northwestern earlier this week.
What was the result? A big 72-57 win, pulling the team up to 3-4 in conference.
Pierre Pierce, Jeff Horner, Erek Hansen and Greg Brunner started the game on the bench and responded nicely for Steve Alford’s club. Pierce led all scorers with 25 points, Horner added 16 points and Brunner 13.
Purdue notches first win
Hooray for Gene Keady! Purdue won its first conference game on Sunday, beating up on Michigan 84-55. This win ends a seven-game losing streak for the Boilermakers. Purdue closed the half on a 17-5 run and didn’t look back.
Matt Kiefer had 21 points and eight rebounds, while junior Carl Landry added 19 points and seven boards. Only two Wolverines scored in double figures and Purdue shot twice as many free throws – 36 – as Michigan – 18.
Big 10 Player of the Week
Luther Head, G, Illinois
Sure he wasn’t the big game player on Saturday against Minnesota, but he didn’t need to be. Head came through against Wisconsin, scoring 18 points and keeping the Illini in the fight with key defensive stops. Illinois would not be where they are today without him.
Big 10 Newcomer of the Week
Carl Landry, F, Purdue
The Michigan game wasn’t Landry’s only big game of the week, even if the only victory was over the Wolverines. Landry had a double-double against Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Wednesday, with 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting and 10 rebounds. Gene Keady has found a budding star in this JuCo transfer.
Around the Big 10
Illinois
Record: 21-0, 7-0 Big 10
Leading Scorer: Head, 16.5
Leading Rebounder: James Augustine, 7.7
Leading Assist Man: Deron Williams, 7.0
Indiana
Record: 9-9, 4-3 Big 10
Points: Bracey Wright, 18.6
Rebounds: D.J. White, 5.3
Assists: Marshall Strickland, 3.1
Iowa
Record: 15-5, 3-4 Big 10
Points: Pierre Pierce, 17.8
Rebounds: Greg Brunner, 8.2
Assists: Jeff Horner, 5.7
Michigan
Record: 12-9, 3-4 Big 10
Points: Dion Harris, 13.1
Rebounds: Brent Petway, 6.3
Assists: Harris, 3.5
Michigan State
Record: 14-3, 5-1 Big 10
Points: Maurice Ager, 14.5
Rebounds: Paul Davis, 6.6
Assists: Chris Hill, 4.6
Minnesota
Record: 14-6, 4-3 Big 10
Points: Vincent Grier, 16.5
Rebounds: Grier, 5.4
Assists: Aaron Robinson, 2.8
Northwestern
Record: 9-10, 2-5 Big 10
Points: Vedran Vukusic, 17.6
Rebounds: Michael Thompson, 4.9
Assists: Tim Doyle, 2.7
Ohio State
Record: 14-7, 3-4 Big 10
Points: Terence Dials, 15.4
Rebounds: Dials, 8.1
Assists: Brandon Fuss-Cheatham, 3.8
Penn State
Record: 7-13, 1-6 Big 10
Points: Aaron Johnson, 13.9
Rebounds: Johnson, 10.7
Assists: Ben Luber, 3.5
Purdue
Record: 5-13, 1-6 Big 10
Points: Landry, 18.9
Rebounds: Landry, 7.4
Assists: Brandon McKnight, 4.0
Wisconsin
Record: 14-4, 5-2 Big 10
Points: Alando Tucker, 14.8
Rebounds: Mike Wilkinson, 7.4
Assists: Sharif Chambliss, 2.9
Three games to watch this weekend
Iowa at Michigan State, Saturday
This game is another tough test for the Spartans and a possible must-win game for the Hawkeyes.
Indiana at Illinois, Saturday
Mike Davis has his club back on track, but this game could derail any progress that’s been made.
Michigan at Ohio State, Saturday
When can the Wolverines turn it around? This rivalry game could determine a key seeding in the Big 10 Tournament.
