#1 is exactly opposite of the historical perception of the BIG10or14or20. It's always been the rationale that the conference is TOO physical, then gets whistled out of the tourney due to finesse and guard play dominating there.
Now, I'd tend to agree with you. This NCAA is the most physical, disorganized playground ball I've ever seen. It's why a team like Iowa (about as soft as they come) didn't stand a chance. Meanwhile, teams like Tennessee - with a roster full of 26 year-old giant foreign men - just brutalizes whoever they play and many more than usual sweet-16 teams (Bama, SDSU, Houston, Tenn, Ark, Mich St) are known as much for their physical D as for their overall talent.
#2 Of all B10-ish teams, Michigan St has always played a handsy style of D. It's been Izzo's teams' calling card along with him knowing how to work the refs to swallow whistles. He was concerned his guys weren't defending a couple weeks ago, now, it's just been an easy flip-the-switch for him, since, they are just letting teams play this tourney.