Before the Big Ten tourney tips off on the Big Ten Network at noon Thursday 13, improve your hoops IQ with this primer (jump to bigten.com for up-to-the minute times and seedings). Next up is "selection Sunday," the official beginning of the country's largest illegal betting pool, which airs on CBS at 5pm.
2/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Dan Dakich, interim (25-5, 14-3)
WHERE TO WATCHKirkwood Bar & Grill, 2934 N Sheffield Ave (773-770-0700)
SPECIALS$3 Miller bottles, $4 22-oz Miller Lite stadium cups (adorned with the Hoosiers logo); $1.50 mini burgers, half-price wings
GRAD RATE78%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�They should really think about bringing back Bob Knight after the Kelvin Sampson debacle.�
3/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Todd Lickliter (13-18, 6-12)
WHERE TO WATCHMerkle�s Bar & Grill, 3516 N Clark St (773-244-1025)
SPECIALS$3 22-oz Bud Light and Miller Lite drafts; 25� wings
GRAD RATE47%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�Herky the Hawkeye won�t be making the trip to Indy since he caught the bird flu.�
4/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)John Beilein (9-20, 5-12)
WHERE TO WATCHDuffy�s, 420 W Diversey Pkwy (773-549-9090)
SPECIALS$25 �hoops buffet� of pub grub that includes wells, wine, soda and domestic drafts (Thu, Fri 10am-3pm)
GRAD RATE57%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�Wright, Sims, Udoh, Harris, Grady�there�s your new �Fab Five.�?�
5/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Tom Izzo (24-6, 12-5)
WHERE TO WATCHThe Gin Mill, 2462 N Lincoln Ave (773-549-3232)
SPECIALS$8 Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Bud and MGD pitchers
GRAD RATE67%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�How tough is State? Youtube the video of Sparty kicking Mr. Potato�s ass. I mean, picking on vegetables?�
6/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Tubby Smith (18-11, 8-9)
WHERE TO WATCHRedmond�s, 3358 N Sheffield Ave (773-404-2151)
SPECIALS$3 European drafts (Guinness and Bass, among others) as well as $4 Absolut cocktails
GRAD RATE38%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�Can you explain to me how Kevin McHale, Garrison Keillor and Prince hail from the �Land of 10,000 Lakes�?�
7/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Bill Carmody (8-20, 1-16)
WHERE TO WATCHTommy Nevin�s, 1450 Sherman Ave, Evanston (847-869-0450)
SPECIALSWhen you win just one Big Ten game, your �home bar� waits till the Big Dance for the promos ($8 Sam Adams pitchers, Sony flat-screen TV giveaways).
GRAD RATE89%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�After this season, the University of Chicago Maroons are poised to replace the Wildcats in the Big Ten.�
8/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Thad Motta (18-12, 9-8)
WHERE TO WATCHMcGee�s Tavern, 950 W Webster Ave (773-549-8200)
SPECIALS$7 32-oz domestic draws and giveaways like T�s, keychains and drinking gloves.
GRAD RATE40%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�How�s Greg Oden faring in his rookie year with the Trail Blazers?�
9/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Bill Carmody (8-20, 1-16)
WHERE TO WATCHTommy Nevin�s, 1450 Sherman Ave, Evanston (847-869-0450)
SPECIALSWhen you win just one Big Ten game, your �home bar� waits till the Big Dance for the promos ($8 Sam Adams pitchers, Sony flat-screen TV giveaways).
GRAD RATE89%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�After this season, the University of Chicago Maroons are poised to replace the Wildcats in the Big Ten.�
10/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Ed DeChellis (14-15, 6-11)
WHERE TO WATCHDark Horse Tap and Grille, 3443 N Sheffield Ave (773-248-4400)
SPECIALSDepending on the day (and how loud the Nittany Lions roar) you can score a Smithwick�s or a Guinness for $3 as well as $4 vodka Red Bulls.
GRAD RATE64%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�The Nittany Nation takes a back-seat to only the Yankees nation in terms of popularity across the country.�
11/11COACH, RECORD (OVERALL, CONFERENCE)Matt Painter (23-7, 14-3)
WHERE TO WATCHDurkin�s, 810 W Diversey Pkwy (773-525-2515)
SPECIALS$20 scores you grazing rights to pub grub buffet as well as domestic draws and wells
GRAD RATE91%
TALKING POINTS (IF YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A HORSE�S ARSE)�Who ever heard of a team mascot being named after a drink?�