The Big Ten Tournament invaded Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the fourth-straight year. With twelve teams involved for the first time ever, four teams earned a bye while the other eight played on opening day.
All games are airing live on the Big Ten Network and are also available on BTN2Go. Details of the first day of games below:
No. 7 Michigan 68, No. 10 Illinois 53.
In the first game of the tourney, Michigan took care of Illinois with ease. Courtney Boylan of Michigan scored a game-high 17 points thanks to an efficient afternoon. She was 6-of-8 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 at the line. As a team, the Wolverines shot 88-percent from the charity line (15-for-17).
Illinois had little fire-power and made plenty of poor decisions. They turned the ball over 20 times, and shot just 3-of-11 from downtown. The Illini had three players finish in double-figures, Adrienne Godbold with 12 (and ten rebounds), Karisma Penn and Lydia McCully each with ten.
Michigan never trailed, and led by 19 at one point. They will play their rival, second-seeded Ohio State Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the quarterfinals.
No. 6 Nebraska 88, No. 11 Northwestern 56.
The Big Ten has four teams ranked in the top-25, but based on their overall record, Nebraska was the six-seed (behind Iowa and Michigan State). This second game resembled the opening game above, too much.
The Huskers, playing in their first Big Ten affiliated tournament, the Huskers dominated early and often. They took a 29-point lead into halftime, thanks to a 29-1 run at one point. Northwestern made all kinds of mistakes — off-target passes, stepping out of bounds, fouling, shooting air-balls, you get the drift — and they too, were never competed.
Nebraska controlled the inside game, outrebounding Northwestern 36 to 21, and allowing just one offensive board. Jordan Hooper scored a game-high 18 points and also added six rebounds. There were a lot of fouls called in this one, 46 in total, and the teams combined to shoot 56 free throws. Northwestern turned the ball over 24 times, making it very hard to compete at this level.
Because of the blowout, Nebraska had plenty of time for everyone to play. All ten players were on the court as least 14 minutes, with nobody playing more than 28 minutes. Nebraska advances to play No. 3 Iowa at 2:00 p.m. Friday.
No. 8 Minnesota 81, No. 9 Wisconsin 49.
Poor shooting (13-50, 26-percent) didn’t help the Wisconsin Badgers chances in advancing to the second-round of the tournament. Meantime, Minnesota shot 50-percent, distributed the ball well, and attacked the glass in route to a 81-49 victory.
Wisconsin was outscored by Minnesota 17 to zero, meaning they were turning it over, not getting defensive stops and the Gophers made them pay. Most lopsided stat? Points in the paint. Minnesota scored more points in the lane than the Badgers did total. 50 to 42.
Kiara Buford scored 19, Kionna Kellogg had 11, Rachel Banham finished with a double-double 11 and 10.
Minnesota plays at 6:00 p.m. once again tomorrow, against top-seeded Penn State.
No. 5 Michigan State 97, No. 12 Indiana 68.
Sparty handled Indiana very decisively 97 to 68 in the fourth and final game on opening day. They had already beat Indiana twice during the regular season, the same feat they accomplished with Big Ten champion-Penn State.
Michigan St led from the beginning and grew a big lead thanks to an early 13-nothing run. IU was down 15 at half and never got much closer than 11. The Spartans starters were pulled with about 13 minutes to go, thus gaining adequate rest before playing again Friday against Purdue.
Aulani Sinclair had led Indiana in scoring four of the last five games but looked like her legs weren’t underneath her, air-balling a couple three’s and only scoring four points. Alisha Goodman was one of two seniors playing her last game in the cream and crimson and she left it out on the floor. She scored a season-high 16 points, played hard, assertive and how you want to play your last game. Freshman Quaneisha McCurty, who finished with 15 points, ran the floor very well, got some good looks inside and converted.
Michigan State will play Purdue Friday at 8:30 p.m.
Now Indiana has to decide the direction of the program. After a 6-24 season, change is never easy but inevitable. The Hoosiers have lost in the opening round of the tournament in each of the last three years.
On to day two…