The Big Ten just did get the six wins they needed to claim another Challenge from the ACC, and it was perilously close. In fact, the game that put the conference over the top couldn't be decided in regulation...

Purdue showed what will likely be their model to beat good teams this year, as the Boilermakers locked up Virginia Tech in a 58-55 overtime win. This was a defensive slugfest, much like the games Purdue won to reach the Sweet Sixteen, and it was played at a snails pace (65 possessions with overtime, which translates to 58 possessions per 40 minutes). Virginia Tech was ice cold from two (41 percent), and even worse from three (2 for 14). A large chunk of the Hokie's struggles came from lead guard Malcolm Delaney, who shot just 2 of 18 from the field and had 4 turnovers. Lewis Jackson and Kelsey Barlow did a fantastic job. It is worth noting, however, that this wasn't Virginia Tech's worst output of the season--Kansas State's defense against the Hokies was actually better than Purdue's.

The ugly part of Purdue's win was on the offensive end, where they were nearly as frigid shooting the ball (43 percent on twos, 24 percent on threes). JaJuan Johnson was the only Boiler looking for his offense, and he finished with 29 points on 24 shots. E'Twaun Moore played mostly the role of distributor, as he finished with 14 points, 4 assists, and just 1 turnover. D.J. Byrd had a Robbie Hummel-like rebounding effort (8 boards), but he was basically non-existent elsewhere (0 for 5 shooting, 1 assist). Considering he injured his shoulder late in the game, the fact that Byrd was even still playing is pretty impressive (and speaks to Matt Painter's feelings about Patrick Bade, Sandi Marcius, and Travis Carroll).

Wisconsin demolished NC State 87-48 on the strength of 1.39 points per possession. That's the type of output the Badgers were putting up against early season cupcakes, so to do so against even a mediocre ACC team is certainly noteworthy. Wisconsin turned it over just 6 times and shot 55 percent from three. When they did miss from the field, they grabbed the offensive rebound 45 percent of the time. This was a dominant offensive performance, and the Badger defense was quite good as well.

Jon Leuer had 22 points (11 shots) and 11 rebounds, which in itself is impressive, but it becomes even more so when you consider he played just 27 minutes of a 63 possession game. Prorated, that works out to about 43 possessions for Leuer, a total that can be achieved in one half by a team like Missouri. If Leuer had put up 22 and 11 in one half, he'd be getting a heck of a lot more attention for it. Wisconsin's slow pace makes it more difficult for Leuer to pile up the counting stats, so it may be an uphill climb for him to achieve individual accolades this season. Regardless, he's been fantastic. Jordan Taylor had a great night as well: 21 points (12 shots), 3 assists, and 1 turnover.

Indiana had an historically bad night on the defensive end in their 88-76 loss at Boston College. Since at least 2002 (the furthest back I can find efficiency data), no Hoosier team had allowed an opponent to score 1.45 points per possession, and this season's version just did it. Boston College turned it over on just 10 percent of their possessions, rebounded over half their misses, shot 58 percent from two, and nailed 42 precent from three. The Eagles basically got anything they wanted, and some pretty good offense from Indiana (with a genuinely low turnover rate!) wasn't enough to keep up.

Christian Watford scored 23 points on 12 shots, but amazingly grabbed only 2 rebounds in 35 minutes. Those are sub-six-foot point guard rebounding rates. Maurice Creek chipped in 15 points on 12 shots.

Maryland came into the Bryce Jordan Center and spanked Penn State 62-39. The Nittany Lions simply couldn't hit anything, shooting 27 percent on twos and 11 percent on threes. Take out Talor Battle and the numbers were even worse (21 percent on twos, 6 percent on threes). The resulting 0.60 points per possession is the worst efficiency posted by Penn State since the first season of the Ed DeChellis era (2003-04).

Battle finished with 21 points on 21 shots. The rest of the team contributed 18 points on 47 shots, with freshman Taran Buie having the roughest go of it (zero points on 9 shots).

In the night's biggest matchup, Michigan State acquitted themselves fairly well against one of the nation's best teams, falling 84-79 at Duke. The Spartans overcame a big turnover issue (27 percent TO Rate) to score 1.06 points per possession--the first time this season that a Duke opponent scored over a point per trip. If Michigan State could have reduced the miscues just a touch, they might have pulled off the big road upset. Instead, Tom Izzo is left puzzling at the same old monkey that's been on his team's back for years.

It was a balanced attack for MSU, with four players taking 11 to 13 shots and scoring in double figures. Korie Lucious led the way with 20 points, 8 assists, and 3 turnovers, while Draymond Green epitomized the night his team had (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks, but 5 turnovers).

After taking their second consecutive Challenge from the ACC, the Big Ten's teams will rest until Saturday, when nine teams get back into action. Until then, revel in the glow of Midwestern magnificence.

- Posted by Mike Portscheller