BTN.com staff, March 21, 2013
Track all the NCAA tournament games and get TV info on our Big Ten scoreboard, and find the latest schedule of televised NCAA tournament press conferences for Big Ten teams on our BTN TV schedule page. After each game read our March Madness Quick Hits authored by BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart, and check out his three keys for each Big Ten team before Friday's games.
Also Friday, Iowa takes on Stony Brook in the second round of the NIT.
[ NCAA tourney: Scores | March Madness posts | BTN.com bracket | NCAA.com bracket | Photos ]
Let's get ready with a look back at Dienhart's NCAA tourney previews from earlier this week
Indiana: Tom Crean and the Hoosiers didn?t get the No. 1 spot in the Midwest-and the chance to play the second weekend of the tourney in Indianapolis that came along with it-but they are No. 1 in the East and open in nearby Dayton, Ohio. All in all, it?s not a terrible draw, especially when one looks at the loaded field in the Midwest. However, Indiana is only 3-3 in its last six games. Read the preview.
Illinois: Illinois is a tough team to read. On any given night, John Groce?s club is capable of beating any team, evidenced by signature wins over Butler, Gonzaga, Indiana and Ohio State. Then, on other nights, they look like they can lose to just about any team. Which Illinois team will show up when the tourney tips off? That?s the question. Read the preview.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes are one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning eight in a row en route to capturing the Big Ten tourney title. This team is playing great defense, led by Aaron Craft and his ball-hawking all over the court. The guy is the ultimate pest. Shannon Scott and Sam Thompson also are active forces, and Evan Ravenel andAmir Williams are strong in the paint. Read the preview.
Minnesota: Many are picking the No. 11 seed Gophers to knock off No. 6 UCLA in the first round of their South Region clash. Yes, Minnesota is in a funk, losing three in a row and seven of 10. But this still is a talented, athletic and physical team that?s capable of big things with players like Andre Hollins, Austin Hollins, Rodney Williams and Trevor Mbakwe, among others. Read the preview.