Big Ten Basketball

Purdue point guard Jaden Ivey could very well be the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. However, he doesn't appear keen on playing for the franchise that currently owns the fourth overall selection.

The Sacramento Kings "aren't Ivey's preferred destination," according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. However, the Kings could still pick Ivey even if he withholds medical information and declines workouts with them because they haven't been afraid to do so in the past, per Givony.

Givony adds that "many around the NBA feel that this pick is available for a team looking to swap picks and move up the draft for Ivey." It wouldn't make much sense for the Kings to select Ivey, as they have recent lottery picks De'Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell as their starting guards.

With that said, NBA insider Quinton Mayo (h/t Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee) reported that the Washington Wizards are interested in acquiring the fourth overall pick to select Ivey.

The Wizards could use a point guard to pair with Bradley Beal, so their interest in Ivey comes as no surprise. However, the asking price for the fourth overall selection could be hefty, so there's no guarantee that Sacramento trades the pick.

In an interview with The Spun's Matt Hladik, Ivey said he "would love to go anywhere," but that playing for the Detroit Pistons or Indiana Pacers would be special because his mother, Niele Ivey, played for the WNBA's Detroit Shock and Indiana Fever during her playing career.

The Pistons own the No. 5 pick and the Pacers own the sixth overall selection. However, Detroit already has Cade Cunningham and Indiana has Malcolm Brogdon, so it's unclear how interested they would be in Ivey.

With that said, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer recently reported that the Pacers were testing the market for Brogdon. That means they might be open to taking Ivey at No. 6 and pairing him with combo guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Ivey is widely believed to be the best point guard available in the 2022 draft class. During his sophomore season at Purdue, he averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 46.- percent from the floor and 35.8 percent from deep in 36 games.

Rick Pitino's return to high-major college basketball may be nigh.

Eric Bickel and Jason Bishop of 106.7 The Fan's Sports Junkies reported Wednesday that Maryland is "heavily pursuing" Pitino, who's in his second season at Iona.

Bickel said the 69-year-old is the Terrapins' "No. 1 choice" and that some donors are "leading the charge."

Mark Turgeon stepped down as Maryland's head coach in December following a 5-3 start to the season. The pressure had been mounting following a 17-14 finish for the Terps in 2020-21.

Turgeon's departure was an example of the high expectations in College Park. He compiled a 226-116 record in 11 seasons but couldn't overcome his relative lack of NCAA tournament success—one trip to the Sweet 16.

Pitino is a proven winner. He led Kentucky and Louisville to one national championship apiece and guided his teams to seven Final Fours.

His impact is already being felt at Iona, with the Gaels on pace to finish with their third-highest winning percentage (.828) thanks to a 24-5 start.

Btw, at some point some high major AD is gonna bite the bullet, deal with one week of bad PR and hire Pitino. And they're going to look damn smart for doing it.

With the portal I think he could turn just about any high major into a tourney team by Year 2

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 26, 2021

The dilemma for Maryland or any other major program is whether hiring Pitino is worth the inevitable scrutiny it would bring.

Louisville vacated its 2013 national title and its 2012 Final Four run in February 2018 after a former assistant coach allegedly paid to have exotic dancers at parties for players and prospective recruits at an on-campus dorm.

Pitino was already gone by that point, getting fired in October 2017 after the school was implicated in the FBI's investigation into corruption in college basketball.

Basketball insider Adam Zagoria reported in February that Pitino was discussing a "lifetime" contract with Iona, so any speculation linking him to Maryland or another school could be moot.

Because of his age, the legendary coach might nevertheless relish the opportunity to win one more championship before he retires. Maryland clearly isn't at that level right now but because of its general stature shouldn't require a long rebuild to be nationally relevant again.

The Big Ten has been one of the most entertaining conferences to watch in men's college basketball this season.

The top spot in the conference standings has changed hands multiple times. The Wisconsin Badgers own that position entering the final week of the regular season.

Wisconsin's top spot will be challenged by the Purdue Boilermakers on Tuesday night in a game that could either set the top spots in the Big Ten tournament field or make the picture more jumbled going into the final few days of regular-season action.

There are a few clear paths to top four seeds, but one unexpected loss could shift the seeding picture for the forthcoming event in Indianapolis.

              

Big Ten Tournament Schedule

Wednesday, March 9

No. 12 seed vs. No. 13 seed (6 p.m. ET, BTN)

No. 11 seed vs. No. 14 seed (8:30 p.m. ET, BTN) 

      

Thursday, March 10

No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed (11:30 a.m. ET. BTN)

No. 5 seed vs. No. 12 vs. No. 13 winner (2 p.m. ET. BTN) 

No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 seed (6:30 p.m. ET, BTN) 

No. 6 seed vs. No. 11 vs. No. 14 winner (9 p.m. ET, BTN) 

      

Friday, March 11

No. 1 seed vs. No. 8 vs. No. 9 winner (11:30 a.m. ET, BTN)

No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 vs. No. 12/13 winner (2 p.m. ET, BTN) 

No. 2 seed vs. No. 7 vs. No. 10 winner (6:30 p.m. ET, BTN) 

No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 vs. No. 11/14 winner (9 p.m. ET, BTN)

         

Saturday, March 12

Semifinal No. 1 (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Semifinal No. 2 (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) 

         

Sunday, March 13

Championship Game (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) 

               

Bracket Predictions

1. Wisconsin

2. Illinois

3. Purdue

4. Ohio State

5. Rutgers

6. Iowa

7. Michigan State

8. Michigan

9. Indiana

10. Penn State

11. Maryland

12. Northwestern

13. Minnesota

14. Nebraska

           

The top of the Big Ten tournament bracket will be determined by Tuesday's clash between the Wisconsin Badgers and Purdue Boilermakers.

Wisconsin used a four-game winning streak to reach the top of the conference, and it gets the edge going into Tuesday night because of its home-court advantage. Purdue lost two of its past three road games—against the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans—and it only beat the Northwestern Wildcats by six points in its lone win in that span.

Tuesday's clash at Kohl Center could be a back-and-forth duel between Johnny Davis and Jaden Ivey, who are two of the individual stars you must watch in March.

The Illinois Fighting Illini will likely swoop up the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten tournament if Wisconsin holds serve at home. Illinois closes the regular season with home games against the Penn State Nittany Lions and Iowa Hawkeyes.

The Ohio State Buckeyes' play over their final three games will determine the final double bye and the order beneath the No. 3 seed. Ohio State plays host to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Michigan State and Michigan. It enters Tuesday one game ahead of Iowa and Michigan State in the loss column.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights could be the biggest beneficiary of the results over the coming days. Rutgers finishes with the Indiana Hoosiers on the road and a home game with Penn State. Rutgers could move ahead of Iowa and Michigan State with wins since both those programs have tougher schedules in the final week of the regular season.

Iowa could lose to Illinois, and Michigan State may stumble in one of its road games at Michigan or Ohio State. Any one of Rutgers, Iowa and Michigan State would love to earn the No. 5 seed to avoid a tough matchup in the first round in Indianapolis.

Michigan and Indiana will be the most desperate teams in the Big Ten tournament as they look to make one final push to secure spots in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The Wolverines and Hoosiers could play each other in a bubble elimination game, with the winner taking on the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.

The top teams in the Big Ten tournament field will be fighting for NCAA tournament seeding along with the right to cut down the nets in Indianapolis.

The two Michigan schools have won six of the past nine Big Ten tournaments, while Illinois is the reigning champion.

Wisconsin and Purdue could have extra motivation to end their Big Ten tournament droughts and potentially move up a seed line in the field of 68 in the process.

Tyson Walker drilled a three-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining as the unranked Michigan State men's basketball team upset No. 4 Purdue 68-65 at East Lansing's Breslin Center on Saturday afternoon.

Tyson Walker just hit the biggest shot of his life. 😱 pic.twitter.com/jlV4C1LR8u

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 26, 2022

Purdue tied the game at 65 with 30 seconds left when big man Trevion Williams followed his own miss with a putback.

After a Spartans timeout, Williams was left to guard Walker behind the three-point line. The junior guard then drained a long-range shot for the upset.

Purdue still had a chance for a miracle finish, but a long inbounds pass caromed out of bounds.

There were still four-tenths of a second remaining, though, with some drama to resolve.

Malik Hall's inbounds pass sailed over Walker's head, and as he tried to save it, Walker was called out of bounds. After a lengthy review, the call stood, and Purdue had another chance.

However, Hall deflected the inbounds pass, and the clock hit zero.

Michigan State benefitted from a balanced scoring attack led by Gabe Brown's 13 points. Julius Marble II (12 points), Max Christie (11) and A.J. Hoggard (11) also scored in double figures, while Hoggard pitched in six assists. Walker had eight points off the bench.

Purdue sophomore center Zach Edey scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, and Jaden Ivey added 16 points. Williams had 11 off the bench. The Boilermakers shot 52.1 percent from the field but made just one of nine three-point attempts.

Purdue out-rebounded Michigan State 34-24 but committed 17 turnovers to the Spartans' 10.

MSU led by as many as 11 points after Marble's Iayup with 10:43 left. Purdue chipped away at the lead, though, with some great defense and eight points from Edey.

Ivey went to the free throw line with 52 seconds remaining and a chance to put the Boilermakers up 64-63. He made the first and missed the second, but Edey committed a loose ball foul on the rebound to send Marble to the line for a one-and-one. He hit both free throws for a 65-63 advantage, leading to the game's final moments.

Purdue fell to 24-5 overall and 13-5 in the Big Ten. Michigan State is 19-9 and 10-7.

The Boilermakers will close the regular season at Wisconsin and at home versus Indiana. MSU has road tilts with Michigan and Ohio State before it hosts Maryland.

Fred Hoiberg's third season as the head coach of Nebraska's men's basketball team has gone poorly, just like the first two did. However, he will be back for a fourth in 2022-23 despite a 6-49 overall record in Big Ten play.

Athletic director Trev Alberts and Hoiberg released statements announcing the news and noting the coach's contract will be restructured:

Statement from @TrevAlberts & @CoachHoiberg. pic.twitter.com/x8UPudSPpp

— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) February 25, 2022

"Fred has presented a plan to me that I believe is in the best long-term interest of the Nebraska athletic department and our men's basketball program," Alberts said. "Additionally, Fred has agreed to restructure his contract to help us make the changes that are necessary to reorient our program."

According to Jeff Borzello of ESPN, Hoiberg's original buyout had he been let go following the 2021-22 campaign was expected to be approximately $18.5 million. The restructuring means it is now $11 million.

To say Hoiberg's time at the program has not gone as planned would be an understatement.

After all, he had connections to Nebraska—he was born in the state and his grandfather was the head coach from 1955 through 1963. He also had an impressive resume that included time as an NBA player from 1995 to 2005 and coaching stops with Iowa State and the Chicago Bulls.

He finished his tenure with the Bulls with a 115-155 record and made the playoffs once after lots of success with the Cyclones at the collegiate level.

Hoiberg's Iowa State teams went a combined 115-56 with two Big 12 titles and four NCAA tournament appearances in five seasons from 2010-15. He seemed like a natural fit at Nebraska given his time in the midwest as a college coach, but the Cornhuskers have struggled.

They went 7-25 in his first season and 7-20 in his second. They are 7-20 overall and an ugly 1-15 in Big Ten play this season.

Nebraska's lone conference win came over Minnesota on Feb. 9, and 10 of its Big Ten losses have come by double digits. The only chance the Huskers have to reach the NCAA tournament is by shocking the league and winning the conference tournament in Indianapolis.

Yet Hoiberg said he has a plan and will be given the chance to execute it next season.            

Michigan men's basketball will continue to participate in handshake lines under acting head coach Phil Martelli despite the recent altercation involving Juwan Howard.

"Do not get rid of them," Martelli said Tuesday, via ESPN. "This is about more than basketball, it's about teaching young people lessons."

Howard, the Wolverines' head coach, was suspended for the rest of the regular season after striking Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft following the Badgers' win on Sunday. 

Juwan Howard strikes Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft after Michigan-Wisconsin game https://t.co/fbv0WKzbT6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 20, 2022

The incident began with an argument between Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard and Howard, who was upset about a late timeout called by the Badgers in their 77-63 win.

Howard offered an apology on Monday:

Quote from Juwan Howard pic.twitter.com/aKQUzXhWQx

— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) February 22, 2022

The incident still raised a discussion over the need for handshake lines, which create opportunities for conflict after heated competition. 

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo countered by telling reporters Tuesday it would be the "biggest farce" if the NCAA did away with the handshake lines. 

"We've already told these kids that it's hard to hold them accountable," Izzo said. "And now we're going to tell them to not man up and walk down a line to someone who's kicked your butt and have enough class to shake their hand is utterly ridiculous."

Martelli clearly agrees as he prepares to lead the Wolverines for the rest of the regular season.   

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is strongly against the idea of eliminating the postgame handshake line in the wake of Sunday's incident between Michigan's Juwan Howard and Wisconsin coaches Greg Gard and Joe Krabbenhoft. 

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Izzo called the possibility of not having the handshake line "the biggest farce, joke, ridiculous nature of anything I've ever heard of."

The Big Ten Conference announced on Monday that Howard has been fined $40,000 and suspended for the rest of the regular season for shoving Krabbenhoft in the face after the Wolverines' 77-63 loss to Wisconsin. 

Juwan Howard strikes Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft after Michigan-Wisconsin game https://t.co/fbv0WKzbT6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 20, 2022

Izzo attempted to equate the postgame handshake line with teaching players lessons about sportsmanship and values. 

"We've already taught these poor 18-year-olds that when you're told to go to class and you don't like it, you can leave. We've already told these kids that if you're not happy, you can do something else. We've already told these kids that it's hard to hold them accountable," he said.

Howard put his finger in the face of Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard, who appeared to stop Howard from walking past him in the line by grabbing his arm, and grabbed at his shirt before Krabbenhoft intervened. 

During his postgame press conference, Howard explained he took exception to Gard calling a timeout with 15 seconds remaining in the game when the Badgers were up 76-61. 

"I didn’t like the timeout being called, to be totally honest," said Howard. "I thought it was not necessary at that moment, especially being a large lead."

In the aftermath of the skirmish, there were conflicting discussions from members of the media about doing away with the postgame handshake line. 

And I don't want to hear people say "this is why we should get rid of handshake lines." If you can't handle a handshake line, you shouldn't be in college athletics.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 20, 2022

The time has come to eliminate the line after games of shaking hands . Too many incidents taking places with the action in the @BadgerMBB vs @umichbball being SICKENING . Punches thrown behavior was out of control & UGLY ! The @B1GMBBall Commish must act on what happened .

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 20, 2022

There were multiple opportunities for Juwan Howard to apologize or admit he erred during his postgame press conference. He instead doubled down, calling Greg Gard's timeout "not necessary" and insisting that Gard touching him in the handshake line was what "escalated it."

— Jeff Eisenberg (@JeffEisenberg) February 20, 2022

Howard has had issues with opposing coaches before. He was ejected in the second half of a 2019 Big Ten tournament game against Maryland for getting into a verbal altercation with Mark Turgeon.

A member of Michigan's famed 1991-92 Fab Five team, Howard was named head basketball coach at his alma mater in May 2019. He led the Wolverines to a regular-season Big Ten title and an appearance in the Elite Eight in the 2020-21 season. 

Michigan (14-11, 8-7 in the Big Ten) has five games remaining in the regular season. The Big Ten tournament will begin March 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. 

The Wolverines and Spartans are scheduled to play at the Breslin Center on March 1. Michigan State beat Michigan 83-67 in Ann Arbor on Jan. 29.    

The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that University of Michigan men's basketball head coach Juwan Howard has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season for his role in the skirmish following Sunday's 77-63 loss to Wisconsin.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports broke the news earlier Monday. Michigan has five regular-season games left before the Big Ten Tournament.

Juwan Howard strikes Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft after Michigan-Wisconsin game https://t.co/fbv0WKzbT6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 20, 2022

Howard was also fined $40,000.

Michigan forwards Terrance Williams II and Moussa Diabate were each suspended one game for their roles in the altercation, as was Wisconsin guard Jahcobi Neath.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard was not suspended, though he was fined $10,000. Badgers director of athletics Chris McIntosh said in a statement that the school would cover the fine, as he views it as a "'Wisconsin fine' and not a 'Greg Gard fine'":

Statement from Wisconsin Athletics pic.twitter.com/Lyo5ai8uHf

— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) February 22, 2022

Badgers assistant Joe Krabbenhoft was not disciplined.

Howard and Gard started yelling at each other in the handshake line before players and assistants came to separate them. It was then that Howard reached across and physically struck Krabbenhoft.

That escalated the tension and led to a scrum with players pushing each other.

The Big Ten released a statement in the aftermath indicating it was "aware of a physical altercation involving [Howard]" and was "in contact with both member institutions and is currently assessing the incident."

The Associated Press (via ESPN) noted Wisconsin called a timeout with 15 seconds left despite enjoying a healthy lead, which angered Howard.

"I didn't like the timeout being called, to be totally honest," Howard said in his postgame press conference. "I thought it was not necessary at the moment, especially being a large lead."

Howard apologized Monday for his "unacceptable" actions and words:

Michigan coach Juwan Howard has released a statement. pic.twitter.com/gvrkYbqwsi

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) February 22, 2022

McIntosh said some members of his team's staff were "affected and injured."

McIntosh also said he contacted Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren and added, "There's no room, no space for conduct like that in any competition, much less a Big Ten competition. The Big Ten takes pride in sportsmanship. The Big Ten takes pride in acting with class. That didn't happen today."

Gard discussed the incident in the aftermath and explained he called timeout to reset the 10-second half-court clock before he emptied his bench:

"Apparently, he didn't like that I called a timeout."

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard explains what led to the postgame fight with Juwan Howard and the Michigan team. pic.twitter.com/tjgRpGsCQB

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) February 20, 2022

On the court, the Badgers improved to 21-5 overall and 12-4 in conference play with the win. All five Wisconsin starters scored in double figures, including Johnny Davis, who led the way with 25 points and six boards.

Hunter Dickinson's 21 points were not enough for the Wolverines, who are firmly on the NCAA tournament bubble heading into the season's stretch run after the latest loss dropped them to 14-11 overall and 8-7 in the Big Ten.