The Big Ten Conference is up for grabs, but a few teams have placed themselves near the top by handling business on their home courts. Thus far, Ohio State and Indiana have emerged as the teams to beat. Before last night’s key match-up, each team had an identical conference record at 6-1, with Ohio State holding the lead by virtue of their overall record at 15-3. The surprising Wisconsin Badgers hold the third spot with a record of 5-3, with Illinois right behind them at 4-3.
The one thing these four teams all have in common is their only conference losses have come on the road.
“It’s tough to win a basketball game on the road in this conference,” said Indiana head coach Mike Davis. The Hoosiers’ only loss in conference came on a trip to Ohio State, who lost their only Big Ten game last week at Minnesota. Wisconsin’s three losses have come at the hands of Iowa, Penn State, and a blowout by Illinois, all in their opponents’ arenas.
The rest of the league hasn’t fared much better on the road. Teams have been clawing and fighting one another for position since conference play has started, and it’s clear the home-court advantage is extremely important.
Illinois coach Bill Self, who hasn’t won on the road yet this season, was calling this week’s game at Ohio State “almost a must-win” to prove to his team they can, indeed, win on the road. Minnesota coach Dan Monson, whose team handed Ohio State its first conference loss in Minneapolis, saw firsthand what a help it is to have 15,000 fans encouraging the home players to go after those loose balls and rebounds, especially with a young team.
If any one of the top teams is able to establish the ability to win road games in the Big Ten in the second half of the season, that team would be the sure favorite to finish number one in the Big Ten regular season. Until that happens, each team will have to continue to take care of home court to stay even.
Jeffries emerging as top player: Indiana’s Jarred Jeffries is only a sophomore, but he has quickly become one of the top players in the league and has been garnering both respect and accolades around the Big Ten early this season.
Jeffries shared Big Ten Player of the Week honors with Minnesota’s Travarus Bennett after he averaged 16.5 points and 12.0 rebounds in two games last week. Several Big Ten coaches had nothing but good things to say about the player.
The forward combines his 6-foot-10 size with impressive speed that suits him to both the perimeter and interior play.
“He is the only player in the Big 10 that can play all five positions,” said Iowa’s Steve Alford.
Jefferies’ coach, Mike Davis, attributes his success to maturity and getting used to being the “go-to guy.” Davis said that in high school, Jeffries was one of the most unselfish players he had ever seen at that level with his talent.
In his second year, he has become more adapted to handling the pressure.
“Everything is coming together [for Jeffries],” Davis said..
This is the third Big Ten Player of the Week that last year’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year has earned this season. In 19 games, Jeffries has averaged 17.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
