At the beginning of the season, everyone circled a certain early game on the schedule that would do a lot to determine who would get the inside track on the Big Ten title.

That game was not the Saturday match-up of Indiana and Ohio State.

However, that is the case in what has been a surprising conference season. Though Illinois and Iowa were clear favorites coming into the year, and their game last night was expected to be huge because the teams only play once this season, they both have struggled, starting out 2-2 in conference and the winner will still have a lot more to do to get back to the top of the standings.

The Hoosiers and Buckeyes are the conference's only two unbeatens, and if the Buckeyes get past Penn State Wednesday, that game will be for sole possession of first place.

The Buckeyes are off to a 12-2 overall start, and though their non-conference schedule was somewhat weak, an upset over Iowa has certified their status as a conference contender. After winning their last seven conference games last season, the Buckeyes now boast a ten-game regular season conference winning streak.

"When you just limit to the Big Ten we're only talking about three games. I don't think it's that much of a fluke that anyone can get off if the schedule played out right," Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien said. "We've been living a little bit of a charmed existence. I think it has to do with how our guys have responded, but if we're going to continue to win games such as we've won, we have to play a little bit better."

After playing a brutal non-conference schedule, ranked the second toughest slate in the country, the Hoosiers have looked dominant in their first four conference games with resounding wins over No. 22 Michigan State and No. 13 Iowa.

Coach Mike Davis felt the non-conference schedule was greatly beneficial to his team, which has only two seniors.

"I was so upset with our schedule, but now I think it's the best thing that ever happened to us," Davis said. "It's really helped us, because now we're able to go into a game and not fear in crunch time."

Two-Timer

Much of the Hoosiers' success is due to the coming of age of small forward Jared Jeffries. After winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors last season, Jeffries has become one of the premier players in the conference.

He has averaged 20.2 points per game in the four conference games, and was named Player of the Week for the second time this season after putting up 21 points against Michigan State and 26 against Iowa.

"His development is unbelievable," coach Mike Davis said. "He's making this team go by making an opportunity for our guards, and also hitting a lot of his outside shots. If Jared Jeffries keeps playing like he's playing he could be the Player of the Year in the Big Ten."

Spartans Badgered into poor start

Considering the team has had a share of the conference title for the past four years, the Spartans find themselves in an unlikely spot, the basement of the Big Ten. They have started conference play with three losses and had the nation's longest home winning streak snapped at 53 games when they dropped a 64-63 decision to Wisconsin.

"We're off to a rough start and looking to get back on track," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "We are lacking a little mental and physical toughness and we better regain it fast or watch the season disappear."

The Spartans take on Purdue tonight at home and then travel to Happy Valley on Saturday to battle Penn State.

Falling off?

Many believe the Big Ten is in jeopardy this season of not being well represented in the NCAA Tournament.

The Big Ten sent seven teams to the NCAA Tournament last year and at least five teams every year since the tournament has expanded to 64 teams.

But, with a drop-off of .100 percentage points from last year's non-conference winning percentage, the Big Ten has been hurting in non-conference play.

They are just 25-31 in games against opponents in the Top Ten conference RPI rating. Compared to last year's 38-29 mark.