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[ Thursday, March 4, 1999 ]
Windy City Worries
Eleven teams vie for a spot in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center
By CRAIG KACKENMEISTER
Collegian Staff Writer
Eleven teams -- six in the top 25 -- 10 games, four days and one automatic NCAA berth on the line. The madness has begun. Starting today through Sunday, the madness will reside in Chicago's United Center as the second-ever Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament plays itself out. No. 11 seed Illinois (11-17, 3-13 Big Ten) The Fighting Illini come into the tournament in a new position -- huge underdogs. Last year Illinois came into the tournament as the No. 2 seed. This year the Illini struggled after losing all five of its starters from last year, but will try to begin a string of upsets when they meet No. 6 Minnesota at 7 p.m. today. No. 10 seed Michigan (11-18, 5-11) The defending Big Ten champs will have a tough time getting back to the finals where they beat Purdue 76-67 last year for the inaugural title. Senior guards Louis Bullock and Robbie Reid helped the Wolverines finish strong. Michigan opens the first round against Purdue at 4:30 p.m. today. No. 9 seed Penn State (13-13, 5-11) The Nittany Lions had a roller-coaster season with tough losses to Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan State and Minnesota. Penn State will try to extend its three-game win streak and reach .500 for National Invitation Tournament qualification against Northwestern at 2 p.m. today on ESPN2. No. 8 seed Northwestern (14-12, 6-10) The Wildcats enter the tournament in almost the same position as last year, where they were the No. 9 seed and lost to No. 8 Minnesota, 64-56. Northwestern and sixth-year senior Evan Eschmeyer have lost seven straight but will try to rebound against Penn State. No. 7 seed Purdue (19-11, 7-9) It's been a rough year for the Boilermakers, who finished the season losing four out of their last five games. "We're looking forward to a fresh start and a new season (in the tournament)," coach Gene Keady said. "We're not playing well right now." Purdue will face the Wolverines at 4:30 p.m. today. No. 6 seed Minnesota (17-9, 8-8)
PHOTO: Kevin Moreau
Northwestern center Evan Eschmeyer pulls down a rebound earlier this season at The Bryce Jordan Center.
Just like last season, the Golden Gophers finished the regular season on a strong note winning three of their last four games.
The defending National Invitation Tournament champs knocked out No. 1-seeded Michigan State last year in the tournament.
No. 5 seed Iowa (18-8, 9-7)
The Hawkeyes enter the tournament in the same position as last year, where they lost to Michigan in the first round, but this season they hope to send coach Tom Davis out on a positive note.
Iowa plays Wisconsin in the second round at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow.
No. 4 seed Wisconsin (21-8, 9-7)
The Badgers come into the tournament as one of the most improved teams in the conference, having already locked up an NCAA bid.
Wisconsin closed the regular season with a tough 51-39 loss to Michigan at home, but looks to get back on track against Iowa.
"I would like to have come into the tournament in a more upbeat situation," coach Dick Bennett said. "We were strong in February, but we appeared to have worn down a bit."
No. 3 seed Indiana (22-9, 9-7)
Last season Indiana entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed and was ousted in the second round by Purdue.
Indiana is led by sophomore guard Luke Recker (16.5 points per game) and junior guard A.J. Guyton (16.4 points per game). The Hoosiers play the winner of the Minnesota-Illinois game at 10 p.m. tomorrow.
No. 2 seed Ohio State (22-7, 12-4)
They say one player usually doesn't make a difference, but junior transfer James "Scoonie" Penn made a difference with the Buckeyes. Penn, who was selected by the media as Player of the Year, helped Ohio State improve from a 1-15 season to second seed with 17.2 points per game.
The Buckeyes will play the winner of the Purdue-Michigan game at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.
No. 1 seed Michigan State (26-4, 15-1)
Michigan State is looking to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and junior guard Mateen Cleaves (12 points a game, 204 assists on the season), selected Player of the Year by the coaches, is a big reason they are in that position.
"We feel we have a tough road ahead of us," coach Tom Izzo said.
Michigan State plays the winner of Northwestern-Penn State at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
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