Crazy to think an upper Big Ten team is on the brink but their numbers aren't great and they just lost to the (formerly) worst team in conference, Illinois.
They have wins over Michigan and Maryland but will it be enough?
They probably need 2 more wins, one of them in the tourney. The host Indiana and Penn State in their final two games, and those are the two main contenders to take their spot - especially Penn State, who could also easily top 20 wins. Those are huge games.
I see the B1G as a 5 bid conference. The 5th one not locked down.
Penn State and Nebraska are very lucky to be playing one another. If not, both could be in trouble. And both still could be.
(02-19-2018 02:14 AM)Stugray2 Wrote: [ -> ]I see the B1G as a 5 bid conference. The 5th one not locked down.
I don't think there was room for both PSU and Nebraska, but PSU had the better chance for a grab based on the remaining schedules. PSU almost got it done with Purdue...lose to Michigan, and I doubt the final game between PSU and Nebraska has any meaning for either.
I don't think the Big Ten deserves the fifth bid. If Maryland wasn't so inconsistent this year, it might have been easier to accept them...looking at the NC-SOS...no, there's nothing to really write home about after the Terps. The four top teams in the conference are pretty much even...nobody's great.
I read somewhere Nebraska’s only played 1 of the B1G’s top 9 teams twice.
Yep and that game is coming up.
Looks like they don't get much bang for their buck when it comes to being in the Big Ten, although going 2-6 so far against the top 9 (one of the wins being mediocre Northwestern) means they had their shot to make more noise. The best they can do is have big wins over Penn State and Michigan short of a run in the Big Ten Tournament. And if they beat Penn State, is it really all that big of a win? It's just a win over another bubble team.
(02-19-2018 05:58 AM)_C2_ Wrote: [ -> ]And if they beat Penn State, is it really all that big of a win? It's just a win over another bubble team.
As of now, the win over Maryland is better than a win over Penn State. If Penn State comes up short against Michigan, the win against Maryland will still hold more potency than Penn State.
I think any fifth spot hinges on how Maryland performs from here on out. Keep winning, and that resume instantly bumps UNL's and PSU's down the stack.
Both that and whoever wins the Big Ten Tournament. Best case scenario, Maryland loses to a non-top 4 team in the Finals. And if that team isn't Nebraska or Penn State, maybe one of them slide in anyways assuming they make the semifinals. Far fetched as it may be, it can happen. 6-7 teams isn't out of the realm although 4 is also possible.
(02-19-2018 01:39 AM)_C2_ Wrote: [ -> ]Crazy to think an upper Big Ten team is on the brink but their numbers aren't great and they just lost to the (formerly) worst team in conference, Illinois.
They have wins over Michigan and Maryland but will it be enough?
To be fair, Illinois is much better than "what their record says". They played tough against the better teams in the conference, but never quite managed to close the deal.
Honestly, in order for Nebraska to have a chance, they need to win out and probably win at least one (probably 2) games in the tournament.
They will definitely need to win out, no question. I think if they win out to the Big Ten semis (which likely means a second win over Michigan), they're in.
Nebraska won’t even be in the big 10 much longer
(02-19-2018 10:13 AM)JHS55 Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska won’t even be in the big 10 much longer
Are they joining the Great Northern along with the Dakota/Montana Schools?
(02-19-2018 01:01 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ] (02-19-2018 10:13 AM)JHS55 Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska won’t even be in the big 10 much longer
Are they joining the Great Northern along with the Dakota/Montana Schools?
Good guess but no, the Big 12! Why wouldn't they want less money and less stability to leave a conference most schools would kill to be in and join a conference that they escaped 7 years ago and is facing imminent collapse in another 7?
(02-19-2018 01:01 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ] (02-19-2018 10:13 AM)JHS55 Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska won’t even be in the big 10 much longer
Are they joining the Great Northern along with the Dakota/Montana Schools?
Eastern Washington, scratch that.
Weber State, scratch that.
Nebraska. There we go. Travel partner with Omaha.
(02-19-2018 02:03 PM)MissouriStateBears Wrote: [ -> ] (02-19-2018 01:01 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ] (02-19-2018 10:13 AM)JHS55 Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska won’t even be in the big 10 much longer
Are they joining the Great Northern along with the Dakota/Montana Schools?
Eastern Washington, scratch that.
Weber State, scratch that.
Nebraska. There we go. Travel partner with Omaha.
Genius
(02-19-2018 01:48 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote: [ -> ] (02-19-2018 01:01 PM)dbackjon Wrote: [ -> ] (02-19-2018 10:13 AM)JHS55 Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska won’t even be in the big 10 much longer
Are they joining the Great Northern along with the Dakota/Montana Schools?
Good guess but no, the Big 12! Why wouldn't they want less money and less stability to leave a conference most schools would kill to be in and join a conference that they escaped 7 years ago and is facing imminent collapse in another 7?
Nebraska is not coming home to the Big 12. That train has already left the station and is not coming back. After their 5 year buy-in period, they now have full equity partnership in BTN. They're not giving that up.
I wish the Huskers well in the B1G. I root for them in their new home. Go Big Red.
Not after losing at Illinois.