Today's menu of games for the 2011 Big Ten tournament includes matchups featuring teams known for their football rivalries. Usually when Michigan and Ohio State and Michigan State and Penn State get together on the same Saturday, it's to bring the football regular season to an end. Today, however, the rivalry games will be on the hardwood, and two teams will have their run in the Big Ten tournament ended.
The first game that will be played today is between Michigan and Ohio State. The Wolverines made it to the semifinals via a comeback win over Illinois. Ohio State got here by beating Northwestern in overtime. Now the two rivals will meet for the third time this season, and Michigan will look to get its first win.
The second semifinal is between Michigan State and Penn State. MSU's stunning blowout win over Purdue vaulted the Spartans into the semifinals. Later on Friday, Penn State's stunning (for different reasons) 36-33 win over Wisconsin put them in the semis and in the conversation for an NCAA tournament bid.
Here is a look at the 2011 Big Ten tournament bracket going into today's games:
No. 1 Ohio State (beat Northwestern, 67-61 in OT, in quarterfinals) vs. No. 4 Michigan (beat Illinois, 60-55, in quarterfinals)
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No. 7 Michigan State (beat Purdue, 74-56, in quarterfinals) vs. No. 6 Penn State (beat Wisconsin, 36-33, in quarterfinals)
And here is a look at the broken down schedule:
Game 8: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Michigan (1:40 p.m., CBS)
Game 9: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Michigan State (25 minutes after Game 8, CBS)
For more on the 2011 Big Ten tournament, check out SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream.