JaJuan Johnson was named the Big Ten's Player of the Week and Michigan freshman Tim Hardaway Jr. was named the league’s Freshman of the Week for the third straight week and fourth time overall.

The Big Ten coaches had a teleconference on Monday to talk about tournament play.

Most of the coaches agreed with the sentiment that successful tournament teams have experienced quality play from their guards.

“You’ve got to have some good players across the board,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “But you’ve got to have some guards.”

In the Big Ten, all of the main contenders have good guards: Purdue (E’Twaun Moore), Ohio State (David Lighty, William Buford), Wisconsin (Jordan Taylor), Penn State (Talor Battle), Illinois (Demetri McCamey), Michigan State (Lucas) and Michigan (Darius Morris).

"When it’s one-and-done time, your margin for error is so small," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "That’s why they always say good guards are key, because they can control the ball and make better decisions."

Josh Gasser banked in a desperation 3-pointer as time expired to lift the 12th-ranked Badgers to a 53-52 victory over Michigan, a game that severely damaged its NCAA Tournament hopes.

"You don't draw that up, ever — from the top of the key to the wing. I was just trying to get it up there and give it a chance," Gasser said. "It doesn't matter how it goes in — as long as it goes in."

Wisconsin trailed by two with 5.4 seconds left when Gasser inbounded to Taylor, who was double-teamed. Gasser went to the other side of the floor and found himself open.

"We wanted Jordan to drive and finish at the rim and if he didn't have it, we knew someone would be open on the perimeter," Gasser said. "Once I found myself open, I wanted the ball and I wanted to take that shot. I was confident when I had it and luckily, it went in."

Entering its final three regular-season games, each of Michigan’s opponents -- Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan State -- is in the top 50 in terms of RPI.

Coach John Beilein likes his team's chances for an at-large bid.

"I was looking this morning at schedules of other people, of other teams in a similar situation to us, maybe even a little bit better at this point; they don't have opportunities to play top-50 teams," Beilein said on Monday's Big Ten coaches teleconference.

"We have not one, not two, but three in the remaining games. (It's) the tougher schedules at this time of the year that give you an opportunity to really show some progress and get your team heavily discussed ... if you can get your wins. We have a few of those, but we'd like to have more of those."

Notre Dame coach Mike Brey, Michigan coach John Beilein and Oregon State assistant David Grace were in attendance on Tuesday for Pike's 83-79 win over Hamilton Southeastern.

Marquis Teague of Pike had 21 points and five assists, shooting 8-for-16 from the floor. Teague will attend Kentucky in the fall.

Pike junior R.J. Hunter had 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the floor and 3-for-7 from distance. He also had nine rebounds.

Gary Harris of Hamilton Southeastern had 28 points, but needed 29 shots to get there. Harris is one of the top recruits of the 2012 incoming class and is undecided.

Sophomore Zak Irvin scored 15 points and is considered one of the top recruits of 2013.

A '30 For 30' documentary on Michigan's Fab Five will air on ESPN on Sunday, March 13, at 9 p.m., on the eve of the NCAA Tournament.

Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson were part of Michigan's freshman class in the 91-92 that reached the NCAA championship game in 1992 and 1993.

Ohio State, the number one team in the nation, improved to 23-0 on Thursday night after their 62-53 victory over Michigan.

The Buckeyes trailed by three at halftime, but outscored the Wolverines by 12 in the second half.

Jared Sullinger starred for Ohio State, notching 19 points and 15 rebounds.

"Sullinger is a freshman, but he's a very unusual freshman," Michigan coach John Beilein said.

Ohio State has won 13 of the past 15 meetings with Michigan.