Word Of The Weekend: Revenge

Before I get into a recap of this past mid-week and picks for the weekend, congratulations are in order to Pat Summitt of Tennessee. Her 1,000th win is just another accolade to add to her already astounding 35-year career at Rocky Top. Definitely one of the best coaches in any sport ever, men or women.

Now, a few notes on the mid-week that was...

-- Congrats to Indiana on picking up their first conference win. I think we all knew the Hoosiers would get somebody eventually and a struggling Iowa team was just what the doctor ordered. Tom Crean will have Indiana back before long and they will be a force once again.

-- Wisconsin and Michigan State rebounded to put up huge wins at home. Wisky snapped a six-game conference losing streak behind some hot shooting from guard Jason Bohannon, while Michigan State completely annihalated an overmatched Minnesota squad in East Lansing.

-- In a battle of the team's top two players, Manny Harris got the better of Talor Battle Wednesday, helping his Wolverines pick up a huge conference win against Penn State. Had Michigan lost this game, their NCAA Tournament hopes would have been in question. But they are alive, though they have a tough non-conference game this weekend (see below).

SATURDAY

Indiana at Michigan State (3 p.m., ESPN) -- Truly a David vs. Goliath match-up. Indiana won't be intimated going to the Breslin Center coming off of their first conference win, but Michigan State is simply too talented. Sparty has righted the ship at home.

Michigan at Connecticut (5 p.m., ESPN) -- Speaking of not being intimated, Michigan won't be as they go to Storrs this weekend after already proving they can beat the big dogs (Duke, UCLA) earlier this season. However, they don't have an answer for 7'3" Hasheem Thabeet. A DeShawn Sims-Jeff Adrien match-up will be fun to watch, but Connecticut will win.

Northwestern at Iowa (5 p.m., BTN) -- Iowa now holds the conference's longest losing streak. Though they are tough to beat at home, Iowa is just not in a good place right now and doesn't have an answer for Kevin Coble on the defensive end. The Wildcats' press and zone defenses will cause a ton of fits for Iowa's young team. Wouldn't be surprised to see an Iowa upset here, but I think Northwestern will win a close one in Iowa City.

Minnesota at Ohio State (7 p.m., BTN) -- Ohio State will be looking for some revenge after losing at Minnesota earlier in the season and they are playing some of the best basketball in the conference. Minnesota has struggled on the road recently, so I'm going with the Buckeyes.

SUNDAY

Purdue at Illinois (12 p.m., CBS) -- Illinois got the better of the Boilermakers earlier this season in West Lafayette and Purdue will no doubtedly be looking for a measure of revenge. Robbie Hummell is the key. If he plays, I think Purdue wins, but if he doesn't, I'm giving the edge to Illinois. Tough one to call here. I expect a very close game regardless of Hummel's status, but Illinois has the slight edge at home.

Wisconsin at Penn State (2 p.m., BTN) -- One of Wisconsin's only conference wins came at Penn State's expense. A strong performance from Talor Battle should give Penn State the win at home, where they are tough to beat. A Jamelle Cornley-Marcus Landry battle in the post will be fun to watch.

Pick Record: 15-1