With the Big Ten turning to the second half of its men's basketball schedule, Michigan State sits atop the standings with a half-game lead over Purdue. While both schools look to be a lock for the NCAA tournament, speculation has risen as to how many teams from the Big Ten will be selected to the postseason extravaganza.

With parity running amuck in the conference, skeptics are questioning the strength of the Big Ten and its teams -- some believe it is weak and that the conference will not be sending as many teams to the "big dance" as it has in the past.

"Compared to last year, the Big Ten is down a little bit," Penn State Coach Bruce Parkhill said, "but when you lose seven or eight players to the NBA, it's going to be different. But it's still one of the top . . . probably three leagues in the country."

But Parkhill and the other conference coaches will have to wait until March to see if that is good enough.

Big Ten Teaser

Name the only Big Ten player to score over 1,000 points in a season. Extra credit for correctly guessing the year this record was set. (Answer at bottom).

Game of the Week

Purdue at Indiana (12:45 p.m. Sunday). With Purdue (16-5, 7-2 Big Ten) beating Michigan State 78-69 on Tuesday, the Boilermakers sit just one-half game behind the Spartans for the conference lead. A win could boost Purdue into the lead, while a loss will create even a bigger jam at the top. Indiana (13-8, 5-4) has to win just to stay in the middle of the pack.

"Some teams have great defense or great offense," Boilermaker Coach Gene Keady said, "but I think our depth has been the real key."

Clark is Benched

Illinois center Shelly Clark was picked up by police on two traffic charges -- driving without a license plate and with a suspended license -- last weekend. This marks the third time that Clark, a 6-foot-9, 261 pound, senior, has been confronted by police since October. Coach Lou Henson declined commment on the situation.

Quiz Answer

Purdue forward Glenn Robinson set the precedent by totaling 1,030 points in 34 games -- a 30.3 point average -- last season.