Foreshadowing greatness?

If the Big Ten's exhibition results are any indication of how strong the league might be this year, look out nation! Playing perhaps the toughest exhibition schedule in the country, our conference has shown some real moxie!

Check out the Division 2 preseason poll, and you'll notice exhibition opponents from Michigan State and Ohio State:

1. Winona State
2. Bentley
3. Grand Valley State
4. Northwest Missouri State
5. Findlay

Well, nobody can say the Big Ten dodges the tough matchup. Instead of lining the preseason schedule with creampuffs, Tom Izzo and Thad Matta went out and booked a pair of the nation's top squads and nearly knocked them off! The Spartans dueled the #3 team in the nation all the way to double overtime before succumbing at the Jack Breslin Center. Then the Buckeyes scratched and clawed against #5 Findlay, only to fall by a bucket in the final seconds. No need to be embarrassed, Spartans and Buckeyes. These are what those in the know call "character-building losses." The kind of games that prepare you for the rigors of Big Ten basketball. We're all proud of you for accepting these challenges, and nearly conquering them.