Rooting against Michigan State won't be a problem. It's just that rooting for Ohio State part.
But Michigan has to do it.
If the 13th-ranked Wolverines take care of their business Sunday with a victory at Penn State, they will be part of a three-way tie for first place in the Big Ten if Ohio State then beats Michigan State in East Lansing.
Michigan State, which has a one-game lead on Ohio State and Michigan, can win the title outright with a victory.
"I don't know if I'll be rooting for anyone," Michigan coach John Beilein said, tongue in cheek, during a teleconference with reporters. "I'll just be watching the scoreboard with great interest."
This is certainly set up for a fun day of Big Ten basketball. The Michigan-Penn State game begins at 1 p.m. ET. Michigan State and Ohio State tip off shortly after 4 p.m.
"I love the idea of the timing of the games," Beilein said. "We play first. We don't know what's going on.
"This is what we've been fighting for all year long, to be in this position."
Michigan hasn't won a Big Ten regular-season championship since 1986. Michigan State has won eight since then, including seven now in Tom Izzo's 17 years as coach.
Two of Michigan's top players — starting center Jordan Morgan (shoulder) and reserve forward Evan Smotrycz (hip) — are questionable for the game.
Michigan (22-8, 12-5 Big Ten) defeated Penn State, 71-53, in the conference opener in late December. The Nittany Lions (12-18, 4-13) are tied for last place with Nebraska.
Beilein said the team will fly back home immediately after the game rather than wait for the Michigan State outcome.
"Hopefully, we'll get back by 5 p.m.," Beilein said. "Maybe we'll be able to watch some or listen to it. The big thing is just concentrate on our game."
This will be Michigan State's second chance to clinch the title outright. The Spartans, who wrapped up a share of the championship last Sunday, had their seven-game winning streak end Tuesday with a 70-55 loss at Indiana.
Although Izzo and the players knew they were entering a tough two-game stretch to end the regular season, it would be a significant disappointment not to finish the job.
"We're not satisfied with sharing it," Michigan State captain Draymond Green told reporters.
Green will be celebrating Senior Day along with his 22nd birthday on Sunday at the Breslin Center. It's the final home game of his career. He'd like to add a victory and outright title to the party.
Ohio State, a prohibitive preseason favorite to win the Big Ten, has been struggling but likely won't go down easily. Not with a chance to salvage a co-championship.
Izzo expects the 10th-ranked Buckeyes (24-6, 12-5) to "come in guns loaded" after having had their 39-game home winning streak snapped by Michigan State three weeks ago.
Ohio State has a chance for a payback of sorts. No. 5 Michigan State (24-6, 13-4) will be putting its 17-0 home record on the line.
The overall scenario creates for a nice little prelude to the real madness, which includes the Big Ten tournament starting next Thursday and the NCAA Tournament a week later.
If Beilein's Wolverines can win the opener of this championship-day doubleheader, you just might hear him say, "Go Ohio."
#LetDelvonPlay update
Delvon Roe, whose Spartan career ended last September because of chronic knee problems, is expected to be on the bench in street clothes and take part in Sunday's Senior Day festivities.
But Roe apparently won't be in uniform nor allowed to make a final cameo appearance because of NCAA eligibility rules regarding his professional acting career.
Some Michigan State fans started a campaign on Twitter aimed at getting the NCAA to bend the rules for Roe's sake, but MSU athletic director Mark Hollis seems satisfied with how the popular Spartan senior will be recognized on Sunday.
"Looking forward to @delvonroe10 being part of Sunday on-court tribute along with current seniors on the team," Hollis wrote in a series of messages on Twitter.
"The NCAA staff provided great compassion in allowing Delvon to participate in a way that Coach Izzo, Delvon and I desired.
"MSU did not submit a reinstatement request that could have possibly allowed Delvon to step onto the court during competition.
"The focus of Delvon and the entire MSU community is on a B1G title. We love the support. Distractions must be placed on the shelf.
"Delvon will be on the bench, take part in our senior recognition, and at some point have an opportunity to kiss center court at the Bres."
Roe, concerned that he had become a distraction, also responded with a tweet in response to those fans who wanted to see him get one final chance in uniform. He thanked them for their support but said that this isn't about him and encouraged the fans to put their focus on "wrappin up this big10 title OUTRIGHT!!"
As for Sunday's ceremony, which is likely to take place after the game, Roe wrote, "I am looking forward to it."
