Handicapping the Big Ten Tournament

When Big Ten Tournament time comes around, that’s when you really know March Madness is upon us. Sweeeeet!

This year’s Big Ten Tournament should be a treat. (Not everyone hates watching Big Ten basketball). This is as balanced and as good as the Big Ten has been in a while. Nine Big Ten teams still have a shot to get to the NCAA Tournament. Northwestern needs a major run while Minnesota, Michigan and Penn State would feel a lot better by at least winning a first round game.

Anyway, let the picks begin.

Thursday:

(9) Northwestern 66, (8) Minnesota 62
Both teams enter the game in need of victories. Minnesota looks comfortable for the moment as far as an NCAA bid concerns it. But the Gophers have slumped badly of late. Meanwhile, Northwestern continues to surprise. I think they get it done on the strength of Craig Moore’s sharp-shooting and Kevin Coble’s all-around talent.

(7) Michigan 64, (10) Iowa 57
Michigan possesses the superior talent by a good amount. Iowa’s system can give people fits though and they have been able to compete with the middle-tier of the Big Ten. I don’t look for a blowout, but Michigan should be able to overwhelm Iowa on a neutral court. Manny Harris will play much better than he did at Carver.

(6) Penn State 77, (11) Indiana 61
Once in a while Indiana plays someone surprisingly close, like it did when the Hoosiers took the Nittany Lions down to the wire Feb. 28 in Happy Valley. I don’t look for that to happen in this one, however. Talor Battle and company will come out on fire, giving Penn State 22 wins and locking up its NCAA Tournament bid.

Friday:

(1) Michigan State 71, (9) Northwestern 59
Northwestern split a pair of games with Michigan State this season, which included a shocking Wildcat victory at the Breslin Center. The Spartans will cruise in this one though on their quest for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan State’s quickness, led by Kalin Lucas, will be too much.

(4) Wisconsin 58, (5) Ohio State 55
This a great match up between teams that appear to already have NCAA Tournament bids locked up. Wisconsin underachieved during the regular season. Now’s their time to make up for it by playing their best in tournament action. Bo Ryan’s Badgers hold the second-best record in Big Ten Tournament play. Their tournament success continues Friday.

(7) Michigan 62, (2) Illinois 60
The Wolverines and Illini are two evenly matched teams despite the disparity in their seeds. Michigan has enough to talent to take out anyone in the Big Ten and that’s exactly what they’ll do here. It’ll be another Big Ten grind-it-out nail biter. Harris and DeShawn Sims will be too much for Illinois.

(6) Penn State 65, (3) Purdue 60
Friday night closes with another upset. Purdue is probably the second-best team in the Big Ten but certainly has flaws. Call it a hunch--Penn State nets the biggest win in several years for the program and gets to the Big Ten semifinals. This win skyrockets the stock of the Nittany Lions. Forget the NIT.

Saturday:

(1) Michigan State 63, (4) Wisconsin 58
Bo will have his Badgers ready for this one. Wisconsin will take the lead to the half and show the nation how good they can be. Tom Izzo’s Spartans will tidy up their defense in the second half and capitalize in transition. Durrell Summers will hit at least one DAGGER down the stretch and Raymar Morgan will have a break out game.

(7) Michigan 69, (6) Penn State 62
The battle of Big Ten bracket busters will be another good one. Both teams should be loose and energetic having virtually clinched NCAA Tournament bids by getting to the Big Ten semifinals. Michigan will continue its hot streak by nailing double-digit threes. Manny Harris will score 25 and lead the Wolverines into the championship game.

Sunday:

(1) Michigan State 76, (7) Michigan 68
National onlookers will be treated to two Big Ten teams that can actually get the ball up the floor and score. In this battle of Michigan teams, Sparty gets the upper-hand. Kalin Lucas will be the game-high scorer and cement himself as the Big Ten Tournament MVP. The Spartans will then watch the selection show hopeful of a No. 1 seed, but they won’t get it. They’ll settle for a No. 2. Michigan will get a No. 7 with its strong showing in the conference tournament.


There you have it. Enjoy a Billy Packer-free Big Ten Tournament. We may not all agree on these picks, but I think we can all agree that college basketball is better off without the annoying, insensitive and un-insightful Packer. Good riddance. And happy March Madness.