Greetings, basketball fans, from the Big Ten tournament

By Jeff Mayfield

[March 11, 2011]  And hello from Conseco Fieldhouse in beautiful downtown Indianapolis, Ind., where this afternoon the Illinois Fighting Illini will tangle with the Michigan Wolverines. Lots of our friends have asked how we think the Illini will fare. And my response has been the same in each and every conversation... I have no idea! If I did, I'm sure that Illini coach Bruce Weber would love for me to share the secret formula.

Unfortunately, I have no magic. I know no secret recipes. I know no shortcuts, and I have no idea what the formula is. All I know is that when I played (and some think dinosaurs roamed the earth then), the two hours of game competition was something I totally lived for. I wanted any guest who might be seeing me for the first or only time to remember my team and maybe remember me. I tried to totally release whatever I had to bring for that particular game. I think IF Illinois does that, they will have a good chance to win. If they don't... they can sit in the situation room for the next 24-30 hours and sweat it out with all the other bubble teams in America.

I could tell you that Michigan has been playing extremely well the last month or so. But I could also tell you that Illinois probably has a size advantage in the matchup. UM's guards are really scary and if you let them get going, it could be a long day in Indy. On the other hand, if the Illini can get things going, they might be able to make a little noise themselves.

This tourney has shown me through the years that it is way too topsy-turvy to even try to make a sensible prediction. Since anything can happen, it usually does. For guys like me who have just enjoyed basketball since I was a kid, it's just fun to be in a place where basketball takes the spotlight off all the other crazy stuff that's going on in the world. I know I need the diversion... and if you're reading my column, apparently you do too.

So, since I can't even begin to give you any insightful analysis, I'll just say, "Throw the ball up and see where it takes us."

First day stuff

What we witnessed on Thursday was Northwestern dumping Minnesota, Michigan State taking out Iowa, and Penn State eliminating Indiana.

I spoke to Spartan head coach Tom Izzo in a private moment during the last game. I asked him if he was worried during his team's close shave versus Iowa. He said, "That's the way it's been all season, my man." I told him that my son likes his team as well as the Illini and he said great, tell him to come to Michigan State.

We sat behind the Iowa bench and it was entertaining as well as enlightening to see how they were going to attack. And while we're on that subject, what a great job their coach Fran McCaffery has turned in during his inaugural season.

In the nightcap, Penn State seemed to me like they were going through the motions. Nittany Lion superstar Taylor Battle didn't seem to get going until the last five minutes of the contest. And it's a good thing he did or I think IU may have upset them.

Thursday's results set up these games for Friday:

• Northwestern vs. Ohio State

• Illinois vs. Michigan

• Michigan State vs. Purdue

• Penn State vs. Wisconsin

Other hoops-related stuff

I got an e-mail from a friend who coaches at Belmont U. who just qualified for the NCAA tournament. They won 30 games this year and Roger Idstrom said it was the most enjoyable season he's ever had as an assistant coach.

Another friend, Rusty Osborne, who coaches the Alaska Seawolves, saw his team advance to the NCAA II regional playoffs out on the West Coast. Rusty has done a great job out there and we wish him well.

One other team that the LDN has had an eye on is the Missouri State Bears. Coach Cuonzo Martin (a former Big Ten player) led Mo. State to a 25-win season. However, the Bears could be on the outside looking in as the upstart Indiana State Sycamores surprisingly won the MVC tourney. Hopefully, the Bears can still squeak into the Big Dance, but if not, make some noise at the NIT!

Updates

Will be back in touch pending a good outcome on Friday. Have a great weekend, everybody!

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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