Wisconsin plays Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan and Purdue just once
It looks like the Big Ten schedule-makers are doing their best to have Wisconsin meet those darn teams from Indiana as little as possible on the basketball court. And the conference must still be trying to manufacture some sort of rivalry with Penn State.
According to the matchups announced this afternoon by the Big Ten, Indiana and Northwestern will make appearances at the Kohl Center during the 2011-12 season, while the Badgers travel to Michigan and Purdue for their only meetings.
Even though I incorrectly predicted half of Wisconsin's single-play opponents earlier this month, I can appreciate swapping out Indiana to maintain two games with border rival Illinois. But taking a break from Penn State seemed like a no-brainer based on recent history. Two games against the depleted Nittany Lions next year can only hurt UW's strength of schedule.
After next season, both Michigan State and Penn State each will have played against Wisconsin more times (36) than any other conference opponent since the league started using single-plays in 1992-93. Meanwhile, Indiana and Purdue will bring up the rear with 31 games played against the Badgers.
Purdue and Illinois will probably wind up being of similar quality so I view that as a wash. And who knows, maybe Indiana's program will still be in the toilet a year from now, right next to Penn State. In a way it may help the strength of schedule to get the Wolverines and Boilermakers on the road, yet it stings season ticket holders to see the two lesser matchups among the single plays (Indiana and Nowrthwestern) occur in Madison.
Wisconsin
Home: Indiana, Northwestern
Away: Michigan, Purdue
Illinois
Home: Iowa, Michigan State
Away: Indiana, Penn State
Indiana
Home: Illinois, Northwestern
Away: Nebraska, Wisconsin
Iowa
Home: Michigan, Ohio State
Away: Illinois, Michigan State
Michigan
Home: Minnesota, Wisconsin
Away: Iowa, Nebraska
Michigan State
Home: Iowa, Penn State
Away: Illinois, Northwestern
Minnesota
Home: Ohio State, Purdue
Away: Michigan, Penn State
Nebraska
Home: Indiana, Michigan
Away: Northwestern, Purdue
Northwestern
Home: Michigan State, Nebraska
Away: Indiana, Wisconsin
Ohio State
Home: Penn State, Purdue
Away: Iowa, Minnesota
Penn State
Home: Illinois, Minnesota
Away: Michigan State, Ohio State
Purdue
Home: Nebraska, Wisconsin
Away: Minnesota, Ohio State