IU's Big Ten Schedule

To take a look at how the Big Ten schedule shakes out for the Hoosiers, I will attempt to handicap the games. What I consider to be the easiest game will receive a handicap of 18, the toughest game will receive a handicap of 1, and so on. Handicaps are in parentheses. (all times listed as Eastern) Jan 2 - at Iowa, 9:05 PM (12) Jan 8 - at Michigan, 7:00 PM (14) Jan 13 - vs. Illinois, 1:00 PM (11) Jan 17 - at Minnesota, 9:00 PM (6) Jan 20 - vs. Penn State, 2:00 PM (17) Jan 23 - vs. Iowa, 9:00 PM (16) Jan 26 - vs. Connecticut, 1:00 PM Jan 31 - at Wisconsin, 9:00 PM (3) Feb 3 - vs. Northwestern, 12:00 PM (18) Feb 7 - at Illinois, 9:00 PM (2) Feb 10 - at Ohio State, 1:00 PM (5) Feb 13 - vs. Wisconsin, 7:00 PM (7) Feb 16 - vs. Michigan State, 9:00 PM (4) Feb 19 - vs. Purdue, 7:00 PM (8) Feb 23 - at Northwestern, 8:00 PM (15) Feb 26 - vs. Ohio State, 7:00 PM (9) Mar 2 - at Michigan State, TBA (1) Mar 5 - vs. Minnesota, TBA (10) Mar 8 - at Penn State, 3:00 PM (13)

Teams we play only once: Michigan, Purdue. It's just plain wrong that we only play Purdue once.

I think IU starts out with a pretty easy schedule to start conference play. The first two games are on the road, but they are at Iowa and at Michigan. Both those teams are void of talent and have struggled under their new coaches. I think both coaches will be good in the long-term, but it is probably going to take each of them 2-3 years.

If IU can take care of business in these two road games, I am hoping it will help remove the mindset that you can't win on the road in the Big Ten. Also, I think this IU team can be successful on the road because of their ability to get to the FT line.

The other 4 games prior to the UConn non-conference game vs. Illinois, @ Minnesota, vs. Penn St, and vs. Iowa. That road trip to Minnesota worries me. Unlike Iowa and Michigan, Minnesota does have some talent and they are playing well under Tubby Smith.

Overall, I think these first 6 games are comparatively an easy way to start the Big Ten and it could be IU's chance to really climb in the polls. Also, I like having the easier part of the schedule at the beginning because I still think this team is trying to come together. Unless something else strange happens (which I wouldn't rule out this year), A.J. Ratliff should be back for the B10 opener and Sampson can really start to use a deep bench to his advantage.

Following the goofy UConn game, this team will really find out if they can win on the road with 3 of their next 4 games being @ Wisconsin, @ Illinois, and @ Ohio St. The Kohl Center is always tough and will be no different this year.

After going to Wisconsin, IU does get NW at Assembly Hall before they head to Illinois, which will be interesting to say the least. There might just be a little media attention on Gordon and IU heading into Illinois. It's going to be a nasty environment, but there is an easy way to shut them up and that is for Gordon and IU to go in there and get a win.

After 3 of 4 on the road, IU then has 3 straight at home but each are going to be tough opponents in Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Purdue.

Both games against Michigan State are in the 2nd half of the season and take place on Feb 16th and March 2nd. Will these 2 games decide the Big Ten Champion? Quite possibly.

After the big March 2nd game at Michigan State, the Hoosiers have Minnesota at home and Penn State on the road to finish out the conference schedule.

I definitely think the easiest stretch of schedule is the first 6 games before the UConn game. After the UConn game, it is going to be classic Big Ten basketball. I am hoping that is when IU really starts to hit full stride. If they do, look out for the Hoosiers!

Go IU!