Big Ten MBB Conference Tournament Predictions

March! March is here and the whole sports world turns its attention to college basketball. Before March Madness, conference tournaments make or break bubble teams, determine national seeding, and occasionally birth underdogs known as "bid stealers." In this article, I break down the Big Ten tournament, featuring menacing squads such as Purdue, as well as tournament hopefuls like Rutgers and Michigan.

First Round (3/9)

13 Nebraska over 12 Northwestern

11 Penn State over 14 Minnesota

Analysis: Nebraska may be a 13 seed, but they're coming off of two thrilling wins at Ohio State and at Wisconsin. Freshman G Bryce McGowens has been a force all season for the Cornhuskers and ASU transfer G Alonzo Verge Jr. has come on strong to close out the season. Northwestern's 6'10" C Pete Nance is solid, but Northwestern isn't nearly as explosive as their opposition. Yes, Northwestern beat Nebraska in both regular season matchups, but momentum is a hell of a thing and the Cornhuskers have it. The season series was split between Penn State and Minnesota. For me, what separates these two teams is Penn State's competitiveness in games against tough opponents, such as <6 point losses against Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Ohio State, and Iowa. For that reason, I'll pick the Nittany Lions.

Second Round (3/10)

8 Michigan over 9 Indiana

13 Nebraska over 5 Iowa

7 Michigan State over 10 Maryland

6 Ohio State over 11 Penn State

Analysis: The winner of Michigan versus Indiana likely punches their ticket to the big dance, while the losing team will probably be left heartbroken on selection Sunday. In their lone matchup in the regular season, Michigan throttled Indiana, shooting an incredible 64.7% from deep. It's been an up-and-down year for both of these programs, but Michigan has looked like the better team as of late. Assuming Hunter Dickinson is healthy from his stomach virus, I'll take the Wolverines. Here is the first crazy pick of the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa has looked damn good since February, led by the emergence of F Keegan Murray. Where the Hawkeyes are vulnerable is on the defensive side of the ball. It's quite improbable, but I'm gonna ride the Cornhuskers to the next round. Michigan State squared off with Maryland less than a week ago in East Lansing, where the Spartans had a ten point victory. Michigan State has captured some impressive wins, but they've also been blown out in big games. They lack a true top option on offense, unlike Maryland with the guard duo of Fatts Russell and Eric Ayala. However, Tom Izzo's squad is experienced and I believe they can rise to the occasion and down Maryland once again. Ohio State has been reeling down the stretch, but I have a hard time seeing a way for Penn State to contain F E.J. Liddell. Penn State played Ohio State well in mid-January, but they'll have to score more than 56 to win the game. Based on their lackluster offensive production this year, I wouldn't count on the Nittany Lions rising to the occasion.

Quarterfinals (3/11)

8 Michigan over 1 Illinois

13 Nebraska over 4 Rutgers

2 Wisconsin over 7 Michigan State

3 Purdue over 6 Ohio State

Analysis: I truly think Illinois is the best team the Big Ten has and that they're the team best suited for a Final Four run. However, their inability to close out games is concerning. The Illini defeated Michigan twice in the regular season, but in their most recent matchup, Illinois left the door open for a Wolverine comeback. Illinois C Kofi Cockburn is hard to stop, but as is Michigan C Hunter Dickinson. This game ultimately comes down to perimeter shooting, which Illinois is generally good at, but they have their off nights. Caleb Houstan must show up for the Wolverines from beyond the arc, and I'll take a gamble and say the talented youngster gets the job done. In the next game of Nebraska's miracle run, they face a team that is elite at home, but spotty on away from Piscataway. Rutgers generally doesn't score a ton, which makes it feasible for Nebraska to stay in this game. Rutgers F Ron Harper Jr. plays his best in big games, but I just can't pick against Fred Hoiberg and "Nebrasketball." Wisconsin and Michigan State split their regular season series. In both games, Wisconsin sensation Johnny Davis scored 25 points, which isn't abnormal for Davis, but concerning in regards for MSU being able to beat Wisconsin. Wisconsin freshman G Chucky Hepburn has been coming on strong as of late, expect him to make some tough shots to lead Wisconsin to a narrow victory over the Spartans. Purdue barely beat Ohio State in their regular season meetup, thanks to a clutch three from G Jaden Ivey. Both teams are ranked inside the top 15 on KenPom for offense, but they're also both outside of the top 100 for defense. E.J. Liddell is a stud for Ohio State, but Jaden Ivey is a future top ten pick and Purdue has a big size advantage over the Buckeyes with C Zach Edey and F/C Trevion Williams. I like Purdue by double digits.

Semifinals (3/12)

8 Michigan over 13 Nebraska

3 Purdue over 2 Wisconsin

Analysis: Back in December, Michigan blew out Nebraska in Lincoln, but Nebraska was able to give the Wolverines a run in Ann Arbor in February. It'd be awesome to see Nebraska sneak their way into the title tilt, but this is where I believe fatigue will set in for the Cornhuskers. As well, I question their ability to guard Michigan C Hunter Dickinson. Wolverines to the 'ship! On the other side, Purdue is a deep team, while Wisconsin is more of a one-man band. Wisconsin won both matchups during the regular season, including a thrilling victory two weeks ago. It is very challenging to beat a team three times, especially a team that ranks #1 on KenPom in offense. Give me an offensive explosion from Jaden Ivey and the Boilermakers.

Championship (3/13)

3 Purdue over 8 Michigan

Analysis: Purdue beat Michigan at Mackey Arena, then proceeded to get blown out in Ann Arbor less than a week later. In that Michigan win, the Wolverines were excellent from three, while the Boilermakers struggled mightily. The catalysts in this game are Purdue F Sasha Stefanovich and Michigan G Eli Brooks. Both players are seniors with a knack for the three ball, and ultimately, I believe whoever shoots better between those two will determine the outcome of this game. I'll take Stefanovich and the Boilermakers to take home the Big Ten title.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! Can Rutgers and Indiana get off the bubble? Will Michigan catch fire? Who do you have winning it all? Let me know in the comments down below!

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Note: Thank you to FanDuel for the graphic provided at the top of the article