The Big Ten is the largest conference tournament in college basketball, with all 18 teams being included this year. This league is full of dangerous teams; they currently have 6 teams ranked in the AP Poll. Let’s dive into what should be an exciting 6 day tournament!
We have 4 categories to sort these teams into; top contenders, dangerous teams looking to make a run, sleeper picks, everyone else.
Top Contenders
Michigan Wolverines: These guys are the heavy favorites to win this tourney, with -135 odds on DraftKings. Michigan is the 1 seed in the Big Ten and the projected #2 overall seed in all of CBB. They have a Player of the Year contender in the do-it-all Forward Yaxel Lendeborg. Yaxel’s dominance combined with the frontcourt Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr is nearly impossible to slow down.
Illinois Fighting Illini: The Fighting Illini are the 4 seed in the Big Ten but they are an elite squad with the 2nd best odds to win on DraftKings. They have major wins that include winning at Nebraska and Purdue. They also have an extremely dangerous freshman guard in Keaton Wagler, who averages 17.9 PPG and has dropped a 40 point game. A player like that can put the Illini on his back and carry them to a tournament win.
Michigan State Spartans: The Spartans are the 3 seed in the Big Ten and have the third best odds to win this tournament. Tom Izzo is an excellent coach all year, but when March comes around he is on a different level. MSU has the talent and coaching to make a run and snatch this whole thing.
Teams Looking to Make a Run
Nebraska Cornhuskers: I had some serious debate on where to throw these guys, but I believe this is the right category for them. The Cornhuskers started out their season 20-0; however they are 6-4 in their last 10. This squad is fading at the wrong time and it will be interesting to see if they can right the ship. They are still capable of picking up some wins and grabbing this tourney, but they will have to be on their A-Game.
Wisconsin Badgers: I really like these guys, they are absolute giant killers. They have won at Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, and they dominated MSU at home. The only concern is that they do struggle against inferior teams, but they should avoid these guys throughout the tournament. They are undefeated against the teams they are lined up to play, I could really see a run for these guys.
UCLA Bruins: The Bruins are surging at the right time, they are coming off two 20+ point wins; one of these being over Nebraska. They also have wins over Illinois and Purdue. Mick Cronin is a seasoned veteran when it comes to making runs in March. I could see the Bruins picking up some upset wins and solidifying their spot in March.
Purdue Boilermakers: As much as Purdue has been struggling recently, they have some marquee wins and I am a big fan of their path. This includes road wins over Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The Boilermakers will play Indiana or Northwestern, and then they get Nebraska, all whom they have beaten.
Sleeper Teams
Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes have won three in a row to propel themselves into the March Madness field, I was able to see them in person against Indiana on Saturday. My biggest takeaway from the matchup was how confident and composed they were in a dominant performance. I could see them carrying this momentum through the tourney.
Iowa Hawkeyes: The Hawkeyes have a superb talent in Bennett Stirtz, who can single-handedly will them to some wins. They have played a lot of the top Big Ten teams close, and if they can find a way to close out these games, they are capable of a run.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: The Gophers can be extremely dangerous and screw up someone’s tournament. They have wins over UCLA, Michigan State, and Iowa. If they can play a close game, they have a real shot at killing someone’s hopes of winning this thing.
Indiana Hoosiers: The Hoosiers have been struggling recently, but they have some great wins over Purdue, UCLA, and Wisconsin. IU is firmly on the bubble and will be playing for their lives, this desperation will either ignite or deflate the Hoosiers.
The Rest
Washington Huskies: 2-3 in their last 5, below .500 record, I don’t see them getting more than one win.
USC Trojans: Plagued by injuries and absences, lost 7 straight, no way.
Rutgers Knights: 2-3 in their last 5 as well, 5 games below .500, simply not a good enough team to do anything.
Northwestern Wildcats: They didn’t get a single bye and have lost two in a row heading into this, I see them getting one or two wins.
Oregon Ducks: 12-19 on the season and are also 2-3 in their last 5. No byes, one win for these guys.
Maryland Terrapins: 11-20 this year, have lost 4 in a row. No byes.
Penn State Nittany Lions: Do I even have to explain this one? Last place in Big Ten.
My Picks
Highlights: Northwestern makes a small run; Nebraska’s portion of the bracket is very weak and I think MSU got an amazing draw, they should be in the finals. On the upper half, what a run by Wisconsin. As I said, these guys are giant killers and I believe they continue to do what they do best!
Whether or not you agree with my picks, I hope you all enjoy the amazing time of year that March is and I highly recommend watching what should be a smoke show of a tournament!
