Big Ten Basketball Tuesday Recap: Michigan Makes a Statement, Purdue Slips Again, and Fears Jr. Shines in OT Thriller
Tuesday night in the Big Ten delivered everything you want from a midseason conference slate - drama, comebacks, and a few teams showing us exactly who they are (for better or worse). We were one possession away from a full upset sweep, but in the end, Michigan stood tall, Purdue stumbled again, and Jeremy Fears Jr. reminded everyone why he's one of the most electric guards in college basketball.
Let’s break down what went down across the conference.
Michigan State 88, Rutgers 79 (OT)
Jeremy Fears Jr. takes over late to lift Spartans
If there was any doubt about Jeremy Fears Jr.'s star power, Tuesday night in East Lansing erased it. The freshman guard exploded for 29 points and 9 assists, including 27 points after halftime, to power Michigan State past a gritty Rutgers squad in overtime.
This had all the makings of a trap game. Rutgers came in with nothing to lose and gave the Spartans everything they could handle. The Scarlet Knights built a double-digit lead in the second half behind a spark-plug bench performance - Tariq Francis dropped 23 and Harun Zrno added 16, giving Rutgers a real shot at the upset.
But when the moment got tight, Fears Jr. got better. He controlled the tempo, attacked the rim, and made big-time plays when the Spartans needed them most.
Rutgers, on the other hand, ran out of gas. A team that’s been successful in overtime earlier this season couldn’t find a rhythm when it mattered.
The shots stopped falling, and Michigan State took full advantage.
In the end, the better team - and the best player on the floor - prevailed.
Michigan 75, Nebraska 72
Wolverines rally late to hand Huskers their first Big Ten loss
This was the heavyweight bout of the night - No. 3 Michigan vs.
No. 5 Nebraska - and it absolutely lived up to the billing.
For most of the game, Nebraska looked like they were going to walk out with a statement win. Their hot shooting from beyond the arc gave them control for much of the night.
But Michigan didn’t panic. They stayed within striking distance and then flipped the switch in the final minutes. The Wolverines closed strong, riding the steady play of Morez Johnson Jr., who finished with 17 points and was a consistent force on both ends.
The real difference? The glass.
Michigan dominated the boards, outrebounding Nebraska 32-21, and it showed in the second-chance points and physicality late. Nebraska missed forward Rienk Mast, and it cost them dearly in a game where every possession mattered.
This win doesn’t just keep Michigan in the Big Ten title hunt - it plants their flag as the team to beat right now.
Indiana 72, Purdue 67
Hoosiers get their groove back, Boilermakers keep sliding
Purdue’s struggles are starting to get real. The Boilermakers dropped their third straight game, this time falling to an Indiana team that came into the night with something to prove - and proved it.
Lamar Wilkerson led the way for the Hoosiers with 19 points, but this was a full-team effort. Indiana came out with energy, confidence, and a clear game plan. They built an 11-point halftime lead and never let Purdue get all the way back in it.
This was more than just a rivalry win - it was a statement. Indiana had lost four straight before this recent two-game rebound, and this one might be the turning point. The Hoosiers have now won four of their last five home games against Purdue, and they looked every bit like a team that believes they can keep climbing.
As for Purdue, the timing couldn’t be worse. While other Big Ten contenders are heating up, the Boilermakers are cooling off fast. The talent is there, but the execution - especially in crunch time - just hasn’t been.
Big Ten Landscape Check-In
Nebraska’s early run at the top of the Big Ten hit a speed bump Tuesday night, and with a matchup against Illinois looming, we’re about to find out just how real their title hopes are. Michigan, meanwhile, looks like a team peaking at the right time - balanced, tough, and built for March.
Purdue? They’ve got work to do.
Mental mistakes, inconsistent play, and a lack of urgency have them sliding down the standings. If they don’t tighten things up soon, they’ll be watching the Big Ten title race from the outside.
What’s Next: Rivalry Heat and Statement Opportunities
Tonight’s slate brings more fireworks. USC faces Iowa in a matchup that could turn into a shootout.
USC’s coming off a big win over Wisconsin, and Iowa’s offense is starting to hum again. Expect that one to go down to the wire.
Elsewhere, we’ve got two rivalry showdowns: Minnesota vs. Wisconsin and Oregon vs.
UCLA. The Badgers are trying to stay in the hunt, while UCLA looks to keep building momentum.
These are the kind of games that shape the conference race - and we’re just getting started.
Bottom line: Tuesday night gave us clarity. Michigan is for real.
Purdue is reeling. And Jeremy Fears Jr.?
He’s not just a rising star - he’s already arrived.