Cosmetic touches: Iowa is almost certainly a lock for the NCAA tournament, and its remaining schedule won't wow anyone. But with a three-game winning streak going into a game at Penn State (5 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU), Iowa's focus should be on avoiding the end-of-season letdown last year brought. The Hawkeyes could earn as high as a No. 6 seed.
Wildcat fever: The focus in late February is on tournament contenders and away from teams like Northwestern, who likely won't be playing in any postseason. But after you looked away — no doubt during that 10-game skid — the Wildcats compiled an impressive four-game winning streak and look to continue it at Illinois (6 p.m. Saturday, BTN).
Big Chances for the Big Dance: Purdue is in crunch time despite a four-game winning streak, as the Boilermakers still need all the help they can get to remain on the right side of the bubble. Lucky for coach Matt Painter's team, the Boilermakers still have chances to impress, starting at Ohio State (6:30 p.m. Sunday, BTN).
