Indiana was a big winner this week, showing why it’s the No. 1 team in the nation and a favorite to win the school’s first national championship since 1987, when Keith Smart hit one of the biggest shots in school history to down Syracuse. The Hoosiers’ win in East Lansing against Michigan State was very impressive. But that’s not all that went on last week.

Here is how Athlon ranks the Big Ten tandems.

Self-important, fast-talking, arm-waving weather people who predicted a massive Midwest snow storm yesterday called “Winter Storm Q”? Over-hyped. Indiana hoops? Not over-hyped. That’s why the Hoosiers get the lead in my daily links. Michigan guard Trey Burke agrees with me on the formidable Hoosiers. In fact, he says Indiana is the best team the Wolverines have played this season, and another expert says Victor Oladipo’s NBA stock is rising.

Please forgive me for any errors in daily links as I fret about the impending doom and havoc an on-coming snow/ice storm surely will bring to the Midlands. Time to race to my local Piggly Wiggly for eggs, bread and milk because, well, that’s what people do in times like this—make French toast, and worry.

Since slumping to 2-7 in the Big Ten, Illinois has ripped off four wins in a row to greatly enhance its NCAA profile. And, it’s an impressive profile, with wins over the likes of Gonzaga, Butler, Ohio State and Indiana. D.J. Richardson has played a big role in the Fighting Illini’s surge.

As we near the stretch run of the Big Ten schedule, there are plenty of races to keep an eye on. The most intriguing one, other than the Big Ten title race, is the battle for Big Ten Player of the Year. Will it be the season-long frontrunner Trey Burke? Or the quickly surging Victor Oladipo? BTN.com’s Tom Dienhart and Brent Yarina debate the topic in this post.

Fun item here from SB Nation on the highest-paid assistant coaches in college football.

No edition of daily links on this morning could start anywhere but with last night’s big Indiana 72-68 win at Michigan State. The victory ended a miserable 17-game losing skid for the No. 1 Hoosiers at Michigan State. But, more importantly, it put Indiana alone in first place in the Big Ten and in firm control of its destiny. In fact, it will take a big flop by the Hoosiers for them not to win the Big Ten for the first time since 2002 back when IU lost the national title game to Maryland. Games remain at Minnesota; vs. Iowa; vs. Ohio State; at Michigan.

It’s time to check the mock brackets to see how the Big Ten rates for March Madness. The league holds steady with seven bids; the Big East also has seven in each bracket and as many as eight in some.

This is a relatively light week in the Big Ten with just eight games. But there is plenty of heft on top with tonight’s No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Michigan State game, which will be the first battle of top-five teams in East Lansing. In fact, it’s a big week for the Spartans, who visit No. 18 Ohio State after playing host to the Hoosiers. Here is how I rank this week’s games.

In case you hadn’t heard, there’s a big game tonight in East Lansing, as No. 1 Indiana visits No. 5 Michigan State. So, let’s start our daily links right there. The good news for the Hoosiers is that play star guard Victor Oladipo will play after hurting an ankle in the last game. Good thing, because IU will need him.

It’s that time of the week when I reach into my mail bag to take your questions. Hoops dominate the talk as we head toward the home stretch of the season. Scheduling also is a hot topic. Let’s go!

All eyes will be on Michigan State (22-4 overall; 11-2 Big Ten) this week. If the Spartans can beat Indiana (23-3; 11-2) and Ohio State (18-7; 8-5), they will be in control of the Big Ten race as we head toward the home stretch.

After a less-than-scintillating Sunday of hoops—Who knew Penn State-Michigan would be the best game?–let’s hope Tuesday’s huge Indiana and Michigan State game lives up to the hype. So, I’m gonna jump ahead and start daily links there.

Michigan State offensive coordinator Dan Roushar is leaving to be the running backs coach of the New Orleans Saints, the school announced in a release Saturday.