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Tournament time positioning
By Aaron Sharockman, Special to CNNSI.com There's a sense of excitement in the Big Ten this week. But for the most part, it's in all of the wrong places. While the Big Ten's best are reeling from losses, it's the teams scrapping for a playoff bid, and teams fighting for pride that are most enthused about the Big Ten tournament, which gets underway Thursday in Grand Rapids, Mich. Here's a preview of what to expect from the first four games inside Van Andel Arena. No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Michigan StateThe best players in the Big Ten tournament's opening round game will be on the sidelines in street clothes. LaToya Turner, Candice Jackson, and Becky Cummings are all out with injuries, making this play-in contest more like a battle of attrition than a battle of basketball talent. Turner and Jackson were definitely out, and Cummings, bothered by a foot problem all season, won't dress either, Spartan coach Joanne McCallie said. "Becky's career is officially over," McCallie said. "Her complications with her foot are so severe that she can't practice." That being said, this should be the best game on the tournament's first day, boasting the best match-up. I hope OSU coach Beth Burns and McCallie match Courntey Coleman and Julie Pagel up. Two of the biggest surprises in the league this season -- mainly because the known commodities like Cummings and Turner got hurt -- they have been bright spots in otherwise forgetting years for the Spartans and Buckeyes. Coming off a win against Minnesota -- only their second in nearly 50 days -- McCallie said the Spartans (10-17, 4-12 Big Ten) are ready to get back on the court. "We're excited especially coming after a win," McCallie said. "But we know Ohio State is going to be tough. They can shoot the ball and it's going to be a great game." No. 7 Indiana vs. No. 10 MinnesotaThe Gophers (8-19, 1-15 Big Ten) come into the Big Ten tournament stumbling after 10 consecutive losses including 53 and 43-point losses to Purdue and Wisconsin respectively.Minnesota is playing without its starting point guard Ozlem Piroglu who is injured and gone for the season. Piroglu's absence means Lindsey Whalen, named to the conference's all-freshman squad Tuesday has been forced to take over the point guard responsibilities. Whalen is close to scoring 17 points a contest for Sheryl Littlejohn's team. Indiana (18-9, 9-7) is on the bubble for a NCAA tournament berth and needs at least one win at the Big Ten tournament to stay in the picture. With two wins already against the Gophers -- who are struggling to find any scoring -- a third win seems likely. No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 NorthwesternThe Fighting Illini (14-14, 9-7 Big Ten) are also on the bubble for a NCAA selection and must defeat Northwestern to even be considered by the committee (according to NCAA selection rules, a team must have a .500 record to be considered for postseason play). The Illini have continue their up-and-down play that has characterized their season, but a severe letdown against the Wildcats, winless in Big Ten play, is unlikely. Northwestern (4-22, 0-16) is just playing out its season. They looked better in their home finale against Indiana, but the Wildcats just don't have the talent to match-up with Allison Curtin and company.No. 4 Penn State vs. No. 5 MichiganThe Wolverines are still shaking after their last-second defeat of the Lady Lions Feb. 25. The three from the corner of the Bryce Jordan Center with just over five seconds left is a shot Anne Thorius won't forget anytime soon. Unfortunately, Penn State won't either.The Wolverines (17-10, 10-6 Big Ten) have beaten PSU (19-8, 11-5) twice this year -- no other team can say that. Besides being a dramatic shot in the arm for its NCAA tournament chance, Michigan certainly will have confidence -- and the friendly Michigan crowd -- on its side. Michigan also touts the player of the week in LeAnn Bies. Meanwhile, Penn State has struggled of late, sinking from a national contender, to a team that may not play host to NCAA tourney games. Michigan is probably safely in their field of 64 with a strong RPI and a stronger finish, but a third win over PSU would all-but-guarantee the Wolverines a spot. Penn State doesn't have much to play for, on the other hand. All the signs point to Michigan getting its third win over Penn State in one season. But I just don't see it happening. Rene Portland knows how to win tournament games and will pepper the ball down low to Maren Walseth, who has sat in Lisa Sheperd and Kelly Mazzante's shadow this season.
Aaron Sharockman is a reporter for the Indiana Daily Student, the student newspaper serving Indiana University.
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