From: March 8
The Big Ten, what a conference. The Big Ten annually cannibalizes itself in the regular season, with the refs having a very lenient whistle during conference play. This unfortunately leads to teams needing more time to be ready for softer calls during the tournament. Outside of Purdue, the standings have been tumultuous, leading to a fascinating week in Chicago. We are here to take you through the Big Ten tournament bracket.
The Favorite: 1-Seeded Purdue
Although they have struggled of late, the Purdue Boilermakers have been the premier team in the conference this year. Headlined by All-American and National Player of the Year hopeful Zach Edey, Purdue has rolled through the Big Ten this year. Aside from losses at home to Rutgers and rival Indiana, the Boilermakers have won every game expected of them. Matt Painter is likely the coach of the year and their Freshman backcourt of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have been solid.
Sleepers: 7–Seeded Illinois, 9-Seeded Rutgers, and 10-Seeded Penn State
The Illini have struggled this year, as they lost a lot of talent from last year. Brad Underwood had to retool his roster and brought in a pair of Big 12 transfers with Matthew Mayer from Baylor and Terrance Shannon Jr. from Texas Tech. Shannon’s health has been a concern lately as he is dealing with a concussion. When he is healthy, the Illini are a tough out in a conference tournament. Rutgers needs to make some noise in the Big 10 tournament. Under Steve Pikiell, they have been consistent pests in the Big Ten. They play tough, they play hard, and they like to play in rock fights. Come March, Rutgers is the type of team you hate playing. In their first game, Rutgers plays Michigan in a game that will eliminate the loser from not only the Big Ten tournament but likely the NCAA tournament. It is a game they need to win, and if Rutgers gets past Michigan, they play the 1-seed who they already beat. Watch out for Rutgers. Penn State is led by First-Team All-Big Ten point guard Jalen Pickett. Pickett is a walking triple-double threat, and the Nittany Lions play a weird style of basketball. Not many other teams in the Big Ten teams play like Michah Schrewsberry’s squad, and I think it could set Penn State up for some surprises in March. Penn State also has elite shooting surrounding Pickett, and I believe the Nittany Lions could shock some people.
Predictions:
First Round:
Ohio State beats Wisconsin
Nebraska beats Minnesota
Second Round:
Rutgers beats Michigan
Iowa beats Ohio State
Illinois beats Penn State
Nebraska beats Maryland
Quarter Finals:
Purdue beats Rutgers
Michigan State beats Iowa
Penn State beats Northwestern
Indiana beats Nebraska
Semi-Finals:
Michigan State beats Purdue
Indiana beats Penn State
Championship:
Michigan State beats Indiana
Why I picked Michigan State:
The Spartans have been one of the hottest teams in the conference as of late. They are a veteran-led team with one of the best coaches in the country, Tom Izzo. Izzo routinely makes a run in March, and Sparty is the most consistent playoff program in the Big Ten. They have a consistent backcourt trio of Tyson Walker, A.J. Hoggard, and Malik Hall. Each of them can go for twenty, and they have an elite shooter in Joey Hauser. The Spartans are coming into form late in the season, and they are my pick to win the Big Ten tournament.