Purdue and Michigan State did their part in clinching a share of the Big Ten regular season championship, but now is the time where we find out who is and who isn’t made for March. Michigan State received the #1 seed and receives a double bye along with Purdue, Michigan and Wisconsin. Indiana and Ohio State are going to need to do some serious damage if they want to find their way into the NCAA Tournament especially with St. Marys, who was on the bubble, taking an automatic bid with their win over Gonzaga. As we have seen all year, anyone can beat anybody in this conference which will set up for a wild week in Chicago.
Predictions:
Wednesday
Game 1: Rutgers Over Nebraska
Nebraska is down to 8 active players with two starters and their first two guys off the bench out. Rutgers will pull this one off.
Game 2: Illinois Over Northwestern.
The Wildcats have continued to struggle and the Fighting Illini are continuing to get better. If one of the first day teams are going to make a run, it will be Brad Underwood’s group.
Thursday
Game 3: Indiana Over Ohio State
The loser of this game can say goodbye to their NCAA Tournament hopes. Indiana has gone on a little late season surge, and Ohio State has continued to struggle
Game 4: Maryland Over Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights have improved, but Anthony Cowan Jr. and Bruno Fernando will be too much for Rutgers to handle.
Game 5: Penn State Over Minnesota.
The Nittany Lions seemed like a lock for most of the year to be playing in the first round but they are on a roll, and I think they will continue their streak in Chicago
Game 6: Illinois Over Iowa
Iowa allowed 16 points in the final minute on Sunday against Nebraska to blow the game. Illinois pulls this off and may kick the Hawkeyes out of the NCAA Tournament
Friday
Game 7: Michigan State Over Indiana
Third time’s the charm right? Indiana got the best of Spartans the first two times, but I don’t see Tom Izzo’s group giving this one up especially with the return of Nick Ward.
Game 8: Maryland Over Wisconsin
These team split the season series, but I think Maryland has a little more talent the Badgers which will give them the edge on a neutral court.
Game 9: Purdue Over Penn State
If it wasn’t for Purdue’s slip up against Minnesota, we would be talking about the Boilermakers as one of the hottest teams in the country. Purdue by double digits
Game 10: Illinois Over Michigan
A conference tournament isn’t a conference tournament without a shocking upset. This year, it will come on Friday night, as Illinois is going to win their third game in as many days to shock the Wolverines.
Saturday
Game 11: Michigan State Over Maryland
Cassius Winston. Do I need to say more?
Game 12: Purdue Over Illinois
It was a stretch to put Illinois in this game anyway but the tired legs will get to them, and I think the Boilermakers will run away with this one.
Sunday
Game 13: Michigan State Over Purdue
I think Michigan State will be primed and ready for Sunday’s matchup, and I think this will be an absolute thriller. Cassius Winston has been playing better than Carsen Edwards which will put Sparty on top of the Big Ten on Sunday afternoon.
My Power Rankings.
- Michigan State
- Purdue
- Michigan
- Maryland
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Penn State
- Nebraska
- Rutgers
- Northwestern
