Best team of the week: Indiana. The Hoosiers snatched a 69-50 win at Minnesota to exorcise any leftover demons from the Gophers' upset at their house … and then took the momentum back home to overcome No. 5 Michigan State. This is a good time to be playing your best ball.


Worst team of the week: Minnesota. I know, I know, I know … but they're not letting me pick anyone else! Those were two winnable games against meaningful opponents, and the losses -- barring a run to the conference tournament title -- solidified the Gophers' spot outside the NCAA tournament. Nebraska and Penn State were the only other teams that lost two this week, and obviously those two didn't have as much to shoot for, or to lose.

Player who impressed: Robbie Hummel. It's been an emotional road as witnessed by the showing of love for the forward at senior night on Wednesday. Hummel responded with 26 points and eight rebounds in the win over Penn State. You can't help but like Hummel now and be buoyed by his journey and stellar finish.

Three thoughts around the league:

1. Jared Sullinger needs to get out of his funk, quick. OK, he thumped the Wildcats with 22 points and, uh, 18 rebounds on Wednesday – and that looks like a pretty big sign and Ohio State certainly hopes it is because the Buckeyes hugely rely on the big man for their success. He needs to put out dominating performances like that reliably if the Buckeyes are going to win the Big Ten Championship – in the previous two games, Sullinger didn't break out of single digits and he scored a humble (for him) 14 points and eight rebounds the game before. 2. Indiana is ramping up for a good run. They've worked through their issues and now the Hoosiers are riding high, most recently knocking off Michigan State en route to a strong finish heading into the Big Ten tourney. Who knows what could happen? 3. Could Michigan win the Big Ten? Even a setback against Purdue leaves real possibility. The Wolverines won last night at Illinois and would need to notch a victory at Penn State and hope for an Ohio State win at Michigan State on Sunday. Michigan hasn't done it since 1985-86.