With the highly anticipated March Madness Tournament on the horizon, conferences are gearing up for their respective tournaments, each having the winner secure an automatic bid into the prestigious dance.
From March 13th to March 17th, the Target Center in Minnesota will host the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
Contender: Illinois Fighting Illini
Currently ranked number 13 in the country and second in the Big Ten, Illinois looks to improve on its 23-8 record in the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois is led by Terrence Shannon Jr. who leads the team in scoring at 21.5 points per game. All-Big Ten First Team selection Marcus Domask will need to continue his all-around game for the Fighting Illini to make a run. He’s averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Favorite: Purdue Boilermakers
Being one of only six teams left in the country with three losses, Purdue goes into the Big Ten Tournament as favorites. Led by reigning Naismith Player of the Year Zach Edey, the Boilermakers look to go back-to-back in the conference tournament. Edey is continuing his dominant play this season averaging 24.1 points per game and 11.7 rebounds. However, if Purdue wants to win the Big Ten tournament they need to get good guard play with Braden Smith, Lance Jones, and Fletcher Loyer.
On Upset Watch: Northwestern Wildcats
Boo Buie, a fifth-year senior and a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, leads the Northwestern Wildcats, having an impressive 18.9 points per game this season. As they enter the upcoming tournament, the Wildcats are on upset watch due to their reliance on Buie to be their main scorer. If Buie has an off-game, it raises the question of where their scoring support will come from. The Wildcats would be on upset watch if this was to happen.
On the Up and Coming: Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes have climbed from the 13th seed in the Big Ten to the 10th seed after finishing the season winning five of its last six games. The first win of the run came against the number one ranked Purdue right after Jake Diebler took over as head coach. The Buckeyes have had all-around play from all five starters playing a key role in the run. Ohio State looks to continue this run in the Big Ten Tournament starting on Thursday with a matchup against Iowa.
Could Go Either Way: Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers started the season hot with a 16-3 record, but have lost eight out of its last 11 games. The Badgers need to get hot again if they want a shot at the tournament, so the upcoming Big Ten tournament will make or break if they make the big dance. Wisconsin will need AJ Storr and Tyler Wahl to play their best games to beat Maryland and start its run.
Sleeper: Indiana Hoosiers
The sleeper of this year’s Big Ten tournament is the Indiana Hoosiers. The Hoosiers come into the tournament on a four-game winning streak and look to build up their resume for a possible tournament bid. Indiana is the 6th seed in the tournament and landed on the side without top-seeded Purdue, so if Indiana can knock off the first teams they play and meet Purdue in the finals anything can happen. The Hoosiers are led by center Kel’el Ware, averaging 27 points and 11.5 rebounds over the past 2 games. If Ware continues this play in the tournament it makes Indiana a scary team to play.
The Pick: Purdue Boilermakers
My pick for the Big Ten tournament this year is the Purdue Boilermakers. Edey will continue his
dominant play in the tournament and Lance Jones will give the Boilermakers the guard play they need to win it all. The matchup I predict for the finals is Ohio State vs. Purdue with the Boilermakers getting revenge and winning by a score of 67-59.
