It’s likely that this season’s most interesting and competitive conference will continue to produce unforgettable moments.
The worst four teams in the Big Ten conference will play each other in the first two games of the tournament on Wednesday in Indianapolis. The tournament will continue through Sunday’s title game.
Our weekend picks and recommendations are as follows:
This is Caleb Wilfinger.
So, who do you think will come out on top of this competition?
To all my MSU fans: Bettors should think twice before taking the Spartans at their word. The AP preseason poll rightfully ranked this club first overall.
Cassius Winston is a top talent in the country, and Xavier Tillman is having a great year on the court. The current play of this deep and veteran squad bodes well for the team’s continued success in March.
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How optimistic is Penn State currently?
Penn State basketball has clearly passed its peak. Five of Penn State’s previous six games have ended in defeat, including a home loss and a loss at Northwestern (a relatively weak conference opponent).
As a result, Pat Chambers’ team, now seeded sixth, faces an uphill battle to reach the title game. To reach the semifinals, Penn State would have to first defeat Indiana in the second round of the tournament, then face Maryland in the quarterfinals, and maybe Michigan State in the semis.
Even though the Nittany Lions are an underdog vs Maryland, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them pull off an upset and go to the semi-finals.
Which surprising squad has the best chance of reaching the semifinals?
Rutgers: I almost went with Ohio State here, but I know they’d have a tough time facing Michigan State in the quarterfinals. Instead, I’m backing Rutgers to advance to the tournament’s semifinals.
The Scarlet Knights’ ferocious defence and the fact that Geo Baker is widely considered one of the best guards in the country will serve them well in any arena.
If the Scarlet Knights can get through Michigan in the second round, they have a good shot at shocking the No. 1 seed Badgers in the quarterfinals and advancing to the semis.
Lingerman, Matt
So, who do you think will come out on top of this competition?
To all my MSU fans: While I admit that this season’s Big Ten has been anything from straightforward, I do think there’s a fairly straightforward method to analyse the conference tournament.
The Spartans of Michigan State have the best player in the league, the most seasoned coach, and plenty of game experience.
The Spartans are as hot as any team in the NCAA down the stretch, and Xavier Tillman has emerged as a top-tier complement to Cassius Winston. If the game were close and it came down to the last minutes, I would pick Michigan State above any other team in the country.
Even still, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Spartans dropped their season opener, given the nature of the Big Ten this season.
How optimistic is Penn State currently?
Penn State’s Big Ten season could not have gotten much worse in the second half. Penn State dealt with Myreon Jones’s absence for six games quite well, but the Nittany Lions don’t appear to have regained their form since the end of their eight-game winning run.
The nightmare scenario for Lamar Stevens is to enter the Big Ten Tournament having lost five of his last six games of the season. Therefore, I think Penn State has a greater chance than most people think of making it to the semifinals.
The Nittany Lions would be a formidable opponent for either Nebraska or Indiana, and it’s common knowledge that Penn State can defeat Maryland. If Stevens keeps up his strong play and Jamari Wheeler can contain Anthony Cowan Jr., the Nittany Lions will be able to repeat their previous success.
Do I think Penn State has what it takes to reach the final four? No. But the Nittany Lions shouldn’t let the final three games of the season get them down.
Which surprising squad has the best chance of reaching the semifinals?
Minnesota: Having missed most of the Gophers’ games, I was surprised to learn that they finished 12th in the Big Ten. Although I think most clubs in the league would covet some of their role players, I do think that they have an issue in Daniel Oturu.
If the Gophers can pull off an upset and win the first game, I think Oturu will be able to shut down Iowa’s star player Luka Garza and the Hawkeyes will seem like a different team. Richard Pitino has impressed me.
Although it won’t be easy, I believe Minnesota has the best chance among the lowest five teams in the conference to beat Illinois.
The Ingenious Mr.
So, who do you think will come out on top of this competition?
To all my MSU fans: After suffering a home defeat to Maryland in the middle of February, the Spartans have looked like a legitimate title contender.
They enter the tournament on a five-game winning streak, including a resounding victory against Ohio State, a potential first-round opponent. To win a championship, this team needs a leader, and Cassius Winston is that guy. He’s the best guard in the conference, and maybe the country.
How optimistic is Penn State currently?
Five of Penn State’s last six games have been losses, and the program’s best days of basketball may be over as a result. The Nittany Lions may have benefited from a better placement in terms of future matchups thanks to their recent loss to Northwestern.
The Nittany Lions’ season opener will most likely be against Indiana, a team they lost to recently but dominated earlier in the year. If the Nittany Lions make it out of the first round, they will face a Maryland club they have previously beaten this season.
The Terrapins are the only top-4 seed to not have beaten Penn State this year. My guess is that Penn State will be eliminated in the quarterfinals, but an upset run to the semis is also possible.
Which surprising squad has the best chance of reaching the semifinals?
Minnesota: The way this season has gone, I’m not expecting much from this tournament, but I do think Minnesota can make an improbable run.
The No. 12 Minnesota Golden Gophers have a tough road to the semifinals, but they are bolstered by two of the conference’s top 10 scorers who can put up 50-60 points between them. It wouldn’t be shocking if Richard Pitino’s club surprised everyone by making the semifinals thanks to the play of Daniel Oturu and Marcus Carr.
It’s Just Morganstein, Justin
So, who do you think will come out on top of this competition?
To all my MSU fans: The Spartans finished the season as the conference’s hottest team, winning their final five games (including four against nationally ranked teams).
It may have taken some time, but Cassius Winston is once again performing at an elite level as a point guard.
The season has been a great one for forward Xavier Tillman, who has improved his game and become a problem for opposing big men on both ends of the court.
Nonetheless, the coaching staff is probably the biggest cause for concern for Michigan State. Tom Izzo has been outstanding in March during his time in East Lansing, so it’s reasonable to assume that his squad has faith in him when the stakes are highest.
How optimistic is Penn State currently?
Penn State has almost little momentum moving into Indianapolis, having lost five of its past six games, including the regular season finale against 8-22 Northwestern. There is no doubt that the Nittany Lions can go to the championship game.
Pat Chambers’ squad will likely open the season against Indiana, which is a good matchup for them. The Hoosiers’ most reliable player, freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis, will face Lamar Stevens, who has averaged 23 points per game while completely dominating Indiana in both of their meetings this season.
The next opponent for Penn State would be Maryland, another team that has been struggling recently. Even though Penn State would be a huge underdog, they have the personnel to challenge talents like Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith. Myreon Jones isn’t 100 percent, but I still don’t think they have what it takes to get past the first round.
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Which surprising squad has the best chance of reaching the semifinals?
Minnesota: With nine teams capable of making the NCAA tournament, the Big Ten has been as tough as it gets this season. However, much like Penn State last year, the Gophers have come out on the losing end of many close games this season.
Rich Pitino should be able to guide Minnesota well into the weekend and into a little run, as they have one of the most underappreciated duos in the Big Ten in Daniel Oturu and Marcus Carr.
