Who’s the green beans of the Big Ten?
Happy holidays to all the loyal readers, listeners, and followers of Land-Grant Holy Land. We hope you’ve had a wonderful week so far with family celebrating Thanksgiving, and hopefully, your week will become even sweeter with big Buckeye wins Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
Last week, Connor and Justin each picked one thing that is still concerning them about the Ohio State men’s basketball team, which is now 5-1 this season with the Pitt Panthers coming to town later this afternoon. They have picked up one resume-building win over the Texas Longhorns but dropped a tough one to Texas A&M in College Station two weeks ago.
Justin went with the starting frontcourt — and it’s gotten even murkier since then. Aaron Bradshaw is now out indefinitely, so understandably 79% of readers agreed with Justin. 12% of readers agreed with Connor, who said that the team still is not playing nearly as fast as Diebler said they would be playing. The final 9% went with “other.”
After 179 weeks:
Connor- 81
Justin- 76
Other- 18
(There have been five ties)
Because yesterday was Thanksgiving, we’re going with the turkey time theme for You’re Nuts. Have you ever thought “Yeah, Wisconsin is definitely the mashed potatoes of the Big Ten?” So have we.
This week, we’re picking which Big Ten teams are these five Thanksgiving dishes.
This week’s question: Which Big Ten teams are these Thanksgiving dishes?
Macaroni & cheese
Connor – Ohio State
The best dish at Thanksgiving, and my favorite. I always have room for more macaroni & cheese, and I’m always willing to try someone’s mac & cheese that they bring to any function. Likewise, I will always watch Ohio State basketball, whether the team is good, bad, or somewhere in between. Toss some of that on my plate.
Justin – Indiana
It is not always at my Thanksgiving, depending on where we are, but it is a great surprise when it is. I like it when Indiana is good because it is better for the conference when they are good and the Assembly Hall is rocking. My Thanksgiving is better when Mac and Cheese are there.
Sweet potato casserole
Connor – Penn State
Sweet potato casserole is the most underappreciated dish. A little marshmallow on top, some cinnamon? Oh yes. I also think that Penn State might be the most fun, under-appreciated program in the conference right now. Mike Rhoades has done a good job picking up where Shrewsberry left.
Justin – Michigan
I don’t like Sweet Potato Casserole, and I don’t like Michigan. It’s not on my plate at Thanksgiving.
Mashed potatoes
Connor – Wisconsin
Like mashed potatoes, Wisconsin is unbelievably consistent. They’re in the NCAA Tournament nearly every year, rarely finish lower than their predicted standings, and have a pretty clear ceiling every year. Sometimes, like mashed potatoes, they can be boring. Very rarely are mashed potatoes the No. 1 dish at Thanksgiving, and rarely is Wisconsin the best team in the Big Ten.
Justin – Purdue
Purdue has been the second dish to the main dish, Turkey (Michigan State), since 2000, with six Big Ten titles. They have been very accomplished, just now quite as accomplished as the Spartans, so they are the second dish. You have to have them, though.
Stuffing
Connor – Minnesota
Stuffing is tough to perfect. It’s usually too dry, and it does not reheat well. I’d say that 9 times out of 10, stuffing just is not good. Every now and then someone cooks up a good dish of stuffing that really hits the spot, but I can usually go without. Similarly, Minnesota is only good every once in a while — I appreciate good Minnesota teams, but they only come by so often.
Justin – Wisconsin
In my opinion, Wisconsin and Stuffing have something in common. They are underrated. In the Bo Ryan and Greg Gard era, Wisconsin has been pretty consistently good. Underrated like stuffing.
Turkey
Connor – Indiana
Turkey — the star of Thanksgiving, even though in reality it’s not that great. Historically Turkey is the main dish of the meal, and we are all supposed to love it. But if you ask 10 people their favorite dish, you’d be hard-pressed to find one that likes turkey the best. Indiana might be the face of Big Ten basketball, but lately, the Hoosiers have been very underwhelming — kind of like turkey.
Justin – Michigan State
The Spartans and Tom Izzo have eight Big Ten regular season championships since 2000 and have been the cornerstone of the conference ever since Izzo took over. They also haven’t missed the NCAA tournament in 26 years and counting.