Big Ten to enact cager tourney

Big Ten men's basketball will have a different look next year because of a newly enacted 11-team conference tournament scheduled to follow the season.

The tournament, the first men's basketball postseason event in the conference's 102-year history, will take place from March 5 to 8, 1998, at a site to be determined.

"The Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors believe a postseason tournament will have a long-term, positive impact on Big Ten men's basketball," said Nils E. Hasselmo, chair of the Council of Presidents. "The presidents and chancellors, along with conference faculty representatives, directors of athletics, men's basketball coaches and players will conduct periodic examinations of the tournament's impact, particularly on any effect it has had on the academic performances of our student-athletes."

The decision to hold a tournament was made following a report analyzing the academic impact on men's athletes, the competitive aspect and structure of the regular season and postseason tournament and the financial impact a tournament would have.

Minnesota Go-es-pher first place

But for one last year, the Big Ten championship will be decided by in-season play, and Minnesota and Iowa are leading the conference at 5-1.

Minnesota, which many picked in the preseason to win the title, has not disappointed. Averaging 82.8 points per game, the Golden Gophers lead the conference in three offensive categories.

Minnesota is led by the Big Ten's third-leading scorer in conference games, guard Bobby Jackson and his 17.5 points per contest. Jackson averaged 23 points, nine rebounds and 3.5 assists a game last week in contests against Michigan and Indiana. For his efforts, he was named the Big Ten Player of the Week.

The Gophers' only loss of the season came against Illinois on Jan. 14. Behind 24 points each from Illini guards Kiwane Garris and Kevin Turner, Minnesota fell, 96-90.

"This was a very tough loss but an excellent basketball game," Minnesota coach Clem Haskins said following the game. "We lost to a great club that really played well tonight. I am very proud of our effort."

Iowa refuses to settle for mediocrity

Iowa, surprisingly successful without the services of injured senior forward Jess Settles, won its first four games of the conference slate before falling to Michigan on Sunday, 79-71.

Iowa guard Andre Woolridge not only leads the Hawkeyes in scoring, with 22.3 points per game in the conference, but he leads the entire Big Ten.

Iowa will travel to Minnesota tonight for sole possession of first place in the conference.

"We'll approach Minnesota the same way we approached Michigan," Iowa coach Tom Davis said. "Minnesota's proven they can hurt you from the outside as well as inside."

After tonight's contest, both teams will have 13 Big Ten games left to play, though. And the Gophers and Hawkeyes will likely face several more key opponents on the way to a possible championship.

This game will be just one step.