Bigger picture, it was an important bounce-back game. The Wolverines are in the hunt for a Big Ten title, and the win kept them near the top of the standings. They’re 6-1 in the league, behind Michigan State (7-0) and tied in the loss column with Purdue (7-1). Wisconsin is 5-2, three teams have three losses, and on down it goes.

The Spartans' win over Illinois bought breathing room against one of the Big Ten's most dangerous title contenders.

Purdue won the Big Ten by three games last season, despite three road losses. Yet it also went to Champaign and beat its closest competitor — the Illini — in the penultimate game of the regular season.