Player of the Week:
Boo Buie, Northwestern
The Northwestern Wildcats are kind of like a cheesy horror movie in the best of ways. They’re constantly middling around, being kind of okay, not much happening in the public eye or anything like that. And then, BOOM! They beat one of the best teams in the country in a manner that feels more akin to a jumpscare than any kind of slow burn psychological horror. And if Northwestern is like a cheesy scary movie, waiting for the right time to make you pee yourself with a repeating gag, then Boo Buie is Freddy Krueger. If you fall asleep and take your eyes away from him for one second, you’re dead; it also helps that the guys name is Boo. Buie shot 12/25 from the field and laced 29 points for the Wildcats in another massive upset of a title contending favorite, Illinois. Buie added 7 assists, went 60% from downtown and 100% from the line, only turned the ball over twice in 42 minutes of play and made the three in overtime that gave Northwestern a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish until the horn sounded. Northwestern picks up its second top-10 win of the season with this one and continues to be dominant at home where they’ve only lost 2 games. They match up once again against Edey and company on the 31st in Indiana in a game that should be fireworks.
Who’s Hot?
Nebraska Cornhuskers
After a couple of tough losses last week that had the general public questioning if the magic had run out, Nebraska got two massive wins over Northwestern and Ohio State at home this past week. Against Northwestern, the legend of Keisei Tominaga added another chapter, hitting a huge three to essentially win the game, allowing Nebraska to beat the Wildcats for the first time since 2019. Josiah Allick led the way alongside Tominaga, scoring 15 and 14 respectively. Against Ohio State, it was the Rienk Mast show in a blowout win over the January Buckeyes. Mast dropped 34 points in the game on ludicrous shooting splits, 76.5 FG%, 75 3PT% and 100% from the charity stripe. Just otherworldly efficiency and another great win on a quality opponent (depending on who you ask). Nebraska continues to make a name for themselves and make their case to enter March Madness as a higher seed. They play Maryland, Wisconsin and Illinois in their next 3 games; a huge test for the Huskers.
Wisconsin Badgers
Despite the frustrating loss to Penn State in Happy Valley, Wisconsin managed to grab wins against Indiana and in Minnesota thanks to two impressive performances from Tyler Wahl and Max Klesmit. Wahl had a huge game against Minnesota, shooting a cool 6-7 from the field and putting up 16 points alongside 3 blocks in the game against the Gophers, hitting 2 free throws to win the game. Max Klesmit went on one of the most impressive scoring sprees I’ve seen in collegiate hoops in a while. He scored 20 straight points against Wisconsin, something that (according to my research) hasn’t been done by any D1 player since Emoni Bates last year. He admitted in the post-game presser that he plays “a little out of control,” his scoring run was punctuated by two free throws he got from getting elbowed in the face as well which adds to the whole “out of control” thing. But, Klesmit is fun to watch, and is a sharp contrast to the efficiency and overall laser-focused solid-as-ever vibe that the rest of the roster brings to the court. He might be the spark they need to level up their offense the rest of the way.
Who’s Not?
Indiana Hoosiers
After a solid start to the season, the Hoosiers have lost 4 of their last 6 and have sputtered their way through the last 3 weeks with poor defensive outings and the inability to win big games. Now, it’s unfortunate that right now they’re in the middle of a ranked-team-gauntlet, lining up against Purdue and Wisconsin already (both losses) and then Illinois tomorrow, however, in those aforementioned last 6 games they also lost to Rutgers and Nebraska by sizable margins. In the Rutgers game Indiana didn’t even crack 60 points, something they’ve done against every team this season except the number one in the country UConn Huskies. They’ve been the victim of huge performances too, between Edey’s 33-point game and Max Klesmit dropping TWENTY CONSECUTIVE POINTS against the Hoosiers. With one of the lowest PPG in the conference and one of the worst defenses, this is one of the worst Hoosier teams we’ve seen in quite some time.
The January Buckeyes
It’s impressive how the Buckeyes get into a rut every new year. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it. Typically a team struggles down the stretch or in the playoffs, like the Sixers or the Cowboys, but to always struggle in the middle of the season is just so weird to me. It’s kind of like how Steph Curry always sucks it up on Christmas day. The game doesn’t matter as much, no, but it’s still weird that it happens every holidays. Since the new year, Ohio State has averaged around 69 points per game, in 2023’s part of the season they were averaging about 80. They’re 2-4 since the new year including a loss to rival Michigan who has been the worst team in the conference this year. And to be frank, I don’t think they’ll win another game in January. They play Northwestern in Chicago (where the Wildcats rarely lose) and then Illinois at home, where I have serious doubts the Buckeyes will be able to guard TSJ or Marcus Domask.
Power Rankings
5. Northwestern Wildcats
They loom in the shadows, like Batman, always ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers
They’re electrifying and fun to watch, youthful and just happy to be competing. They’re off to their best start since 1991.
3. Illinois Fighting Illini
The return of TSJ is huge but we’ll see if his presence remains and if he’s the same player after the allegations, or if he turns into Deshaun Watson.
2. Wisconsin Badgers
2 big wins after a tough loss is how great teams respond.
1. Purdue Boilermakers
4 straight wins after a tough loss is how even greater teams respond.