*Purdue (16-9, 6-6) 87
Northwestern (15-9, 5-7) 77
*home team
- This matchup held considerable ramifications for IU fans, as the Hoosiers will play Purdue and Northwestern in 2 of their remaining 6 games.
- It was just another day at the office for the leading scorers, as NU forward John Shurna set a game-high 30 points and Purdue senior Robbie Hummel scored a season-high with 27 (12-of-14 from the free throw line). Northwestern took another step towards the Big Ten's basement, while the Boilers are still trying to prove they are a NCAA Tournament team. With each victory, Purdue's date with IU on March 4 in Bloomington to end the regular season becomes more and more significant.
- With both teams shooting better than 40% from the field and behind the arc, the Boilermakers separated themselves on the boards and foul line. Purdue outrebounded the Wildcats 38-25 and made 24-of-33 free throws compared to 11-of-17 for Northwestern
- In a curious move, Purdue senior guard Lewis Jackson did not start and was subbed in at the 16:05 in the first half. However, Jackson finished with 25 minutes, 5 points and 8 assists.
*Michigan (19-7, 9-4) 70
Illinois (16-9, 5-7) 61
- Fresh off a frustrating loss in Bloomington, Meyers Leonard and the Fighting Illini fell in another tough road test, coming up short to a surging Michigan squad that has won 3 of its last 4.
- Guard play dominated this matchup as both starting centers -Leonard and Michigan's Jordan Morgan- each finished with four fouls. Despite bringing down 12 boards, Leonard scored just 5 points, while Morgan had 2 rebounds and 4 points in just 12 minutes of playing time
- Although Illini guard Brandon Paul scored 21 points (6-of-12 from the field, 4-of-8 from three), he committed an astounding 7 of Illinois' 13 turnovers. While Paul led his team in scoring and turnovers, Michigan's Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Wolverines through a resurgent effort fueled by discipline. Hardaway was one of 3 Michigan players to score in double-figures, scoring 15 points through 5-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 from deep.
- The clock is running out Illinois' NCAA Tournament hopes and perhaps head coach Bruce Weber's time in Champaign.
UPDATED BIG TEN RANKINGS
| Ohio State | 9-3 | 21-4 |
| Michigan State | 9-3 | 20-5 |
| Michigan | 9-4 | 19-7 |
| Wisconsin | 8-4 | 19-6 |
| Indiana | 7-6 | 19-6 |
| Purdue | 6-6 | 16-9 |
| Minnesota | 5-7 | 17-8 |
| Illinois | 5-7 | 16-9 |
| Northwestern | 5-7 | 15-9 |
| Iowa | 5-7 | 13-12 |
| Nebraska | 3-10 | 11-13 |
| Penn State | 3-10 | 11-15 |
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