Big Ten bullies

Good morning! If you were glued to Notre Dame’s win over Penn State last night, and missed all the college basketball action, don’t worry. We’ve got you.

1. Jackson Shelstad saves the Ducks

After somehow surviving Monday at Minnesota, Ohio State needed a strong home performance vs. Oregon.

And it did just that for most of the game, and led by eight points with six minutes to go. However, Jackson Shelstad’s 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining was part of a 20-12 Oregon run — and spelled doom for the Buckeyes.

A back-and-forth final minute included a steal by Ohio State, followed by lots fouls and made FTs. Shelstad’s two free throws with 7.5 seconds remaining — coupled with a Bruce Thornton miss — gave Oregon a 73-71 win.

Big man Nathan Bittle added 21 points and eight rebounds.

Shelstad was the hero for the Ducks (14-2, 3-2 in Big Ten), leading the team with 24 points on 8-of-11 FG, including 4-of-6 from deep. Through four games in league play, the sophomore guard is averaging 20 ppg, shooting 52% from deep. Entering the season, Shelstad was a consensus breakout candidate, averaging just over double figures through the non-con. 

If this is the Shelstad that many were expecting, then Oregon’s chances of competing for a top-tier spot in the Big Ten have improved.

For Ohio State (10-6, 2-3), this is a missed opportunity for a team that has gone just 2-2 since its 20-point win vs. Kentucky. Thornton led the team with 20 points, while Sean Stewart produced 14 points and nine rebounds.

2. Michigan State sure looks like Michigan State of old

Unlike Ohio State and Oregon, Michigan State-Washington was not competitive.

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