Upsets Galore around Top 10 and Impact on MSU

It goes without saying this is a big week for the Spartans. It should be noted that Robbie Hummel and his creaky back were fairly ineffective (two points) in an ugly win at Iowa for Purdue on Saturday. I expect tomorrow's game to be low scoring again.

As for the other Big Ten games from last week, stick a fork in Northwestern, whose choke job Thursday parallels any of the worst MSU football meltdowns we have seen over the years. Then the 'Cats refused to make free throws down the stretch Sunday against Michigan. Penn State and the Wolverines still have a shot at the NCAA and Wisconsin may be on the inside looking out after a win over Ohio State.

The Race to 14 continues. If Michigan State gets to 14 wins, they have the conference title wrapped up - on their own.

But how about some of the other upsets around the country? MSU is in great position for a #2 or #3 seed if they can go 4-2 down the stretch, win the Big Ten and win at least a game in the conference tournament. Consider:

• #5 Duke lost at Boston College and the Blue Devils now have 4 ACC losses
• Clemson inexplicably lost at Virginia, which was 1-8 in the ACC headed into the game Sunday
• Wake Forest lost again this week
• Louisville lost at Notre Dame by 33 points
• UCLA lost to both Arizona schools
• Even Butler and Florida lost this weekend to bad conference foes

More than ever it appears the best teams in the country are (I believe in this order): North Carolina, Oklahoma and UConn (the Huskies are third given their key injury). Pitt plays UConn tonight. But the #2 seeds are wide open right now as the ACC and Big East powers keep losing.