Get your summer on
Article updated: 12/28/2012 6:54 PM

Big Ten hoops could be a brutal battle

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Illinois' Brandon Paul, left, heads to the basket as Missouri's Phil Pressey defends Saturday during the first half in St. Louis.

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Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody, right, talks with guard Dave Sobolewski during the first half against Stanford.

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Big Ten men's basketball is first in overall RPI nationally as non-conference play winds down this weekend. Five league teams are ranked in the top 12 of the latest AP poll and at least eight of them have a good shot at reaching the NCAA tournament. That means this winter should be a blast for fans — and brutal for members.