Big Ten Tournament Schedule, Predictions
Big Ten Tournament schedule, predictions and overview as the conference continues its canvassing of Washington D.C.
Big Ten Tournament schedule, predictions and overview as the conference continues its canvassing of Washington D.C.
There’s a strong wave of irony that rolls over when you learn that Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany and ACC commissioner John Swofford, two of the biggest power brokers in college athletics, attended the University of North Carolina at the same time. There’s the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, and also the fact that both men are aggressively stalking the northeastern corridor of our great nation.
The ACC is spending its 2017 tournament in Brooklyn, and the 2018 Big Ten Tournament will lock down Madison Square Garden one week earlier than normal. As for this year’s Big Ten Tournament, say hello to Washington D.C. The Big Ten held basketball media days in D.C., and now it’s all come full-circle as that push for the DMV television market continues with the five-day tourney. For a conference that proved itself rather mercurial this past season, the foray into into the nation’s capital should prove exciting.
Following is the Big Ten Tournament schedule and predictions.
Big Ten Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, March 8 (First round)
Game 1: No. 12 seed Nebraska vs. No. 13 seed Penn State – 4:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 11 seed Ohio State vs. No. 14 seed Rutgers – 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 9 (Second round)
Game 3: No. 8 seed Michigan vs. No. 9 seed Illinois – 12 p.m.
Game 4: No. 5 seed Michigan State vs. Game 1 winner – 25 minutes after game 3
Game 5: No. 7 seed Iowa vs. No. 10 seed Indiana – 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: No. 6 seed Northwestern vs. Game 2 winner – 25 minutes after game 3
Friday, March 10 (Quarterfinals)
Game 7: No. 1 seed Purdue vs. Game 3 winner – 12 p.m.
Game 8: No. 4 seed Minnesota vs. Game 4 winner – 25 minutes after game 7
Game 9: No. 2 seed Wisconsin vs. Game 5 winner – 6:30 p.m.
Game 10: No. 3 seed Maryland vs. Game 6 winner – 25 minutes after game 9
Saturday, March 11 (Semifinals)
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner – 1 p.m.
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner – 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 12 (Finals)
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner – 3 p.m.
Big Ten Tournament Predictions
Throw a dart and you’ll have just as good a shot at picking this one as any pundit who watched every game of Big Ten basketball this season. For what was, by all accounts, a middling season for the conference, the Big Ten Tournament could turn out to be the best in the nation. It’s anyone’s game.
Feeling good about Purdue and the Boilermakers’ monster down low, Caleb Swannigan? Roll the dice. How about Wisconsin’s veteran club? Take a flier. Think hometown Maryland can rip a heater? Maybe. Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois? They all have a shot.
If there is a favorite, it’s probably Wisconsin, given the two-day bye, experience and easier draw than No. 1 Purdue.
Add that the Big Ten Tournament will back right up to Selection Sunday’s bracket reveal, and the drama is baked into this conference tourney more than any others.
