Kevin Case- 

Well folks, tomorrow is our first Sunday without NFL football. I know the weekend after the Super Bowl can be a dark time, but step away from the window and don’t do anything drastic, because there’s plenty of college basketball to be had!

The Big 10, which features four teams ranked in the top 10, has been the class of college basketball. If you haven’t been paying attention, grab those leftover wings from last weekend and hang on to your hats. There are two great match-ups headed your way Sunday.

Indiana (1) at Ohio State (10) 1 p.m. EST, CBS

Indiana Hoosiers

Last time out (lost at Illinois 74-72)

The Hoosiers became the fifth straight number 1 to fall after losing to Illinois in Champaign on Thursday night. Indiana held the lead for the majority of the contest before succumbing to a late Illinois run and a raucous crowd.

Player to watch

Perhaps you’ve heard of Hoosier forward Victor Oladipo? The high-flying junior has been shooting up draft boards thanks to his incredible athletic ability and stellar defense. After a great game against Michigan last weekend, pundits even began to mention Oladipo as a potential National Player of the Year candidate.

Oladipo was only able to muster nine points in the Hoosiers recent loss to Illinois. His turnover in the final seconds of the game also indirectly lead to Illinois’ buzzer beating lay in. Expect the forward to come out and show why he’s one of the best players in the country on Sunday.

Ohio State

Last time out (loss at Michigan 76-74)

The Buckeyes lost at Michigan in an overtime thriller on Tuesday evening. Ohio State scored at will all night before running out of steam in overtime, as they scored just two points in the extra period.

Player to watch

The engine of the Ohio State scoring machine is forward Deshaun Thomas, as the 6’7” junior is averaging nearly 20 points per game. Thomas is notorious for favoring his left hand, but few defenders have been able to keep him on the right side of the court this season.

Thomas will almost certainly draw the matchup of aforementioned defensive stud Victor Oladipo. What ensues will be a college basketball fan’s dream: one of the best defenders in the country matched up with one of the most explosive scorers in the country. Enjoy!

Prediction (Ohio State: 78 Indiana: 70)

The athletic Oladipo is able to hold Thomas to under his 20-point average, but Thomas’ Ohio State teammates pick up the slack and protect their home court.

Illinois at Minnesota (18), 6 p.m. EST, Big Ten Network 

Illinois

Last time out (win vs. Indiana W74-72)

The Illini grabbed what could become a season saving upset when they took down Indiana Thursday. Illinois closed out the game on an astounding 15-3 run to shock the Hoosiers on a buzzer beating lay in, check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmKxaGRgxns.

Player to watch

Most people have heard about Illini senior guard Brandon Paul. But against Indiana it was guard D.J. Richardson who led the way for the Illini, as the senior poured in 23 points and was 4-8 from downtown.

Richardson is only averaging around 12 points a game this season. If the guard can stay hot, perhaps the Illini can pull off a second consecutive upset on Sunday.

Minnesota

Last time out (loss at Michigan State 61-50)

The Golden Gophers continued their road struggles losing at Michigan State on Wednesday. The Spartans used a 21-4 second half run to pull away for a comfortable victory.

Player to watch

Minnesota consistently plays with three guards on the floor at the same time. One of those guards is sophomore Andre Hollins, who leads the trio with 14 points per game.

Hollins was only 4-11 from the field in the Gophers loss at Michigan State, and his teammates weren’t much better.  Head Coach Tubby Smith’s perimeter players combined to go just 10-34 from the field Wednesday night. They’ll need to shoot a lot better if they want to hold off the surging Illini.

Prediction (Minnesota: 70 Illinois: 67)

Illinois’ guards win the battle of the backcourts, but the Illini can’t quite get the win in Minneapolis. These Golden Gophers simply do not lose at home. They are 12-1 at Williams Arena this season, and by Sunday night they’ll have lucky number 13.

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