by Carl James • @jovian34 • April 5
It’s another week with a lot of series between teams close in the B1G standings.
Minnesota (10-14, 5-1 B1G) at Michigan (20-7, 2-0 B1G)
Preferred Hoosier outcome: Some sort of split
Carl’s Predicted Outcome: 2-1 Minnesota
The two teams chosen preseason to win the league by various media get to beat up on each other. Minnesota struggled early with a ridiculously tough non conference slate. Michigan has excelled against poor competition. Both are doing well in league play so far. Both teams are going to need to do well in conference to get post-season consideration. Michigan may need a league title, while Minnesota needs to fix its overall win percentage.
Purdue (10-17, 4-1 B1G) at Nebraska (14-9, 4-2 B1G)
Preferred Hoosier outcome: Some sort of split
Carl’s Predicted Outcome: 2-1 Nebraska
Here’s another matchup between teams that have started league play out well. Nebraska has some impressive wins and is building a post-season resume. Purdue is rebuilding and is a bit of a surprise (even with a weak league schedule) to be off to such a good league start.
Maryland (13-14, 1-2 B1G) at Illinois (19-8, 0-3 B1G)
Preferred Hoosier outcome: Maryland win
Carl’s Predicted Outcome: 3-0 Illinois
Illinois got swept to open B1G play at Iowa but bounced back with two mid-week wins against #19 Coastal Carolina. Can Hunter Parsons repeat his magic from last week and take down the Illini tonight? I think that’s the only thing that could prevent the Illini from getting back to .500 in league play this weekend.
Indiana State (22-4, 1-2 MO Valley, 6-1 vs B1G) at Michigan State (5-21, 0-5 B1G)
Preferred Hoosier outcome: Can’t tell yet
Carl’s Predicted Outcome: 3-0 Indiana State
While off to a 1-2 start in the Missouri Valley, the Trees have a better record against the B1G than any teams in the B1G. That won’t likely change this weekend as Michigan State has been dreadful. Indiana has reasons to want it to go both ways. If Indiana State gets hot again, the Hoosiers mid-week win over the Sycamores remains a resume highlight. However, for RPI purposes, the Hoosiers play Michigan State three times so those Spartan wins marginally help the numerical strength of schedule component of the RPI.
RUTGERS (8-17, 1-2 B1G) at Iowa (14-11, 3-3 B1G)
Preferred Hoosier outcome: Rutgers win
Carl’s Predicted Outcome: 2-1 Iowa
If Iowa can sweep Illinois, they should be able to sweep RUTGERS, right? Maybe? Perhaps RUTGERS has one good game in them this week. This one is more a curiosity than anything, but you never know with the Hawkeyes.
