Michigan Basketball vs Michigan State is dream matchup for Big Ten

It doesn’t get much bigger than Michigan basketball vs Michigan State in the Big Ten semifinals and for the conference, it’s a match made in heaven.

There were lots of questions about how the Big Ten Tournament would do in the Big Apple. But after getting a dream matchup in the semifinals between Michigan basketball and Michigan State, the five-day extravaganza might just live up to the hype.

Of course, the fact that Michigan basketball played its way into the semis against arch rival Michigan State isn’t the only reason it’s been successful. There have been a number of close and exciting games. The Wolverines needed overtime to beat Iowa Thursday, while Rutgers and Penn State both pulled out dramatic come-from-behind wins the same day.

But things got even better Friday. For starters, Michigan basketball dominated Nebraska. The Wolverines buried 11 3-pointers and made the Garden seem like their home playground. That win set up a juicy semifinal with Michigan State and UM. Between the two teams, they have won 20 in a row. Michigan State 13 and Michigan seven.

Truthfully, the Big Ten Conference couldn’t ask for more. Purdue and Penn State certainly shouldn’t be counted out. The Boilermakers have beaten Michigan twice and will prevent a major problem for whoever makes the championship game. Assuming Purdue makes it there. Penn State will have something to say about that.

Outside of Michigan’s win, all three quarterfinal games were exciting. Michigan State watched Wisconsin miss a game-tying three in the final seconds and Purdue recovered from a 3-point halftime deficit to beat upstart Rutgers, which had beaten Minnesota and Indiana on a quest to win five in a row.

All those games were good, but the best moment so far, had to be this:

Thanks to fan Connor Nolte for the video. I can’t imagine anything capturing the excitment of Penn State, as well as the suffering of Ohio State and its fan base better. Truly, a work of beauty and a tremendous win for the Nittany Lions. It was their third over Ohio State. Another over Purdue should put them in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan State and Purdue are playing for a shot at being a No.1 seed, which either could be with a Big Ten Championship. And Michigan, well, it wants to repeat the magic from a year ago in Washington, D.C.

The Wolverines also could make a huge jump up the seed line with two more wins, especially if those wins are over Michigan State and Purdue. It’s a tall order, but if the Wolverines somehow pull it off, they’d have a darn good argument for a two or three seed.

Simply put, this year’s Big Ten Tournament has been incredible. It has lived up to the stage that is New York and Madison Square Garden. And with everything on the line Saturday and the rest of the weekend, it should only get better.

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Turns out that the Big Ten Tournament and the Big Apple mix pretty well after all.