Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, February 29, 2016
It's finally here, the last week of the regular season. And Indiana already has wrapped a share of its 22nd Big Ten title and second in the last four years. Can the Hoosiers win the outright title? Michigan State, Maryland, Iowa and Wisconsin all hold out hope to take a share of the title.
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Game of the week: Indiana at Iowa, Tuesday. The Hoosiers are looking to win the outright league title. But Iowa is just two games behind and still has a shot to at least earn a share of its first Big Ten championship since 1978-79. The Hawkeyes are desperate for a win, losing three in a row and four of their last five. Conversely, Indiana has won three in a row and four of five. Indiana beat Iowa, 85-78, in Bloomington earlier this year.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONS!!!!
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) February 28, 2016
IU has clinched a share of its 22nd B1G title - tied for most in league history. #iubb #GoIU pic.twitter.com/Xt5f9xC3JQ
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Don?t overlook this game: Maryland at Indiana, Sunday. The final regular-season game of the year for both teams, and a lot could be on the line-including a share of the Big Ten championship for the Terrapins. This is the only meeting of the year between the foes. Maryland has lost three of its last four games. IU has won three in a row and four of five.
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Must win: Iowa vs. Indiana, Tuesday. The Hawkeyes must defend their home court against the Big Ten leader to have any shot at a share of the championship. Iowa is struggling, losing three of its last four games-including a loss to Wisconsin the last time Fran McCaffery?s crew played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes need some positive mojo heading into the postseason. A win over the front-runner Hoosiers would be the perfect elixir.
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Best individual matchup: Indiana?s Yogi Ferrell vs. Maryland?s Melo Trimble, Sunday. You won?t find two better point guards. Ferrell is playing some great basketball down the stretch. Conversely, Trimble has struggled of late before playing well in a loss at Purdue on Saturday. Ferrell is averaging 17 points, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals; Trimble is averaging 14.2 points, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals. These are two cat-quick lead guards who can take over a game and impact on many levels.
March begins tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/fjnKf4baoT
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) February 29, 2016
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Upset alert: Wisconsin at Minnesota, Wednesday. The Golden Gophers have won their last two home games, taking down Maryland and Rutgers. The Badgers are one of the hottest Big Ten teams, winning three in a row and 10 of 11 games. Could Wisconsin get clipped by their rival in hostile Williams Arena? The Badgers still have Big Ten title hopes but need to win out and have Indiana lose twice.
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Big week: Indiana. The Hoosiers have clinched a share of the Big Ten championship but would like to win the outright title. But, it won?t be easy with four schools in hot pursuit of a piece of the crown. In fact, no Big Ten school finishes with a more daunting 1-2 punch than the Hoosiers, who play at Iowa on Tuesday and host Maryland on Sunday. If Indiana drops both games-and MSU, Maryland, Iowa or Wisconsin wins both of their games this week-the Hoosiers will have to share the championship. A split for IU would clinch an outright title no matter what anyone else does.
Congrats to Tom Crean and @IndianaMBB on another Big Ten Championship. ONWARD! pic.twitter.com/PChKWUyeYz
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) February 29, 2016
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Before I leave you, here's a look at what the Big Ten tourney bracket looks like entering the final week.
One week left.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 29, 2016
It's time for your up-to-the-minute #B1GTourney bracket » https://t.co/z1SHxKGiUJ pic.twitter.com/wnYrYprA4g
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