The Nebraska Cornhuskers' quest for a double-bye in the Big Ten tournament got a boost on Tuesday night. And Fred Hoiberg's crew didn't even have to play a game.
The boost came in the form of the Wisconsin Badgers continuing to trip over their own feet as they head to the end of the regular season. The stumble on Tuesday was an ugly loss to an Indiana Hoosiers squad just playing out the string at this point.
Wisconsin's 74-70 loss is just another blow to a team that seemed to have a legit claim on a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. They even looked like a strong squad when matching up against the Purdue Boilermakers. And then they ran into the buzzsaw that is the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln.
The Huskers knocked off Wisconsin 80-72 and that sparked a four game losing streak for Wiscy. That streak included losses to Michigan and Rutgers. Even after finally snapping the skid, the Badgers have gone just 2-2 since.
Their second loss in their last four games officially pushes them a half-game behind the Nebraska Cornhuskers and officially out of the last double-bye spot.
Nebraska Cornhuskers move into double-bye spot with rival's loss
As of Tuesday night, the Big Ten standings are thus:
Team Name | W-L | G.B. |
|---|---|---|
Purdue Boilermakers | 14-3 | - |
Illinois Fighting Illini | 11-5 | 2.5 |
Northwestern Wildcats | 10-6 | 3.5 |
Nebraska Cornhuskers | 10-7 | 4.0 |
Wisconsin Badgers | 10-7 | 4.0 |
Michigan State Spartans | 9-8 | 5.0 |
Things get even tougher for Wisconsin which, all of the sudden, must be wondering if they're officially on the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Badgers have two of their last three games left against Top 15 teams in Purdue and Illinois. They also take on a Rutgers squad that already beat them once this year.
Even if they finish 1-2, that puts their regular season record at 19-12. Hardly a lock for the tourney.
As far as the Nebraska Cornhuskers' march to the double bye? Things could get even better tomorrow night as Northwestern will take on a Maryland team that is 11-4 at home this season.