B1G Tournament

Who will be crowned B1G tournament champions and punch their ticket into the big dance.


First Round 

#12 Rutgers v #13 Nebraska

This will be a pretty close game as both teams are pretty statically even, The Huskers have more options on the perimeter than the Scarlet Knights, But with Thomas Allen being sidelined with an ankle injury, that could hurt the Huskers as he averages 36% from deep and 44% from the floor while also putting up 9 PPG. But given how the Huskers played against Iowa on Sunday. Nebraska will just edge Rutgers for the win. Nebraska 

#11 Illinois v #14 Northwestern

The Illini have the advantage of forcing more turnovers than NU, which can allow some second chance options for them on the offensive end, But the Illini struggle with grabbing defensive boards which is a huge advantage for NU as they can keep the drive alive and get some second chance options as well. Ryan Taylor is fighting an illness, so he may or may or may not play. He's a nice well balanced player for NU. and their third leading scorer at 10 PPG, This seems like an Illini win as the Illini have more consistent shooters in the paint, and better perimeter shooters. Just like Rutgers and Nebraska, this will be a close game but the Illini seems better offensively. Illinois


Second Round 

#8 Ohio St. v #9 Indiana 

Kaleb Wesson will be returning to a struggling OSU squad. But Indiana is playing basketball again. Juwan Morgan is an elite player that can cause trouble inside for the Buckeyes, IU is not a good shooting team from deep, but has options if they want. Both teams will likely drive the ball inside than shooting it from the perimeter. OSU won the first match in Bloomington with Kaleb, but this is a dangerous IU teams that has seem to put the pieces together, so with that IU wins in a close one. Indiana 

#5 Maryland v #13 Nebraska 

Defense wise, both teams are pretty even, to some degree. Maryland's defense forces 17 turnovers a game which can lead to some points on the other end. Maryland can just lock down the offensive glass for the Huskers, preventing second chances on the other end. Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith are guys that are going to bully the paint and force Nebraska to make shots, and both teams have options at the perimeter. But Maryland looks like the better team, and I see the Terrapins cruising past this one. Maryland 

#7 Minnesota v #10 Penn. St

I expect this game to be very close, Both teams are very even defensively so this game will come down to who has the better offensive production. Minnesota has more guys inside with Daniel Oturu and Jordan Murphy, but Penn St. has more options from the perimeter. But with Penn St. always playing teams close and now with them on an upward trajectory. Penn St wins in a very tight matchup. Penn St.

#6 Iowa v #11 Illinois 

Iowa claearly has a major advantage over the Illini. Both teams who can cause trouble in the paint. But I think the size of Luka Garza and Tyler Cook will be too much for them. And the Hawkeyes have options at the perimeter with Bohannon, Moss, and Wieskamp. The Illini have the advantage of forcing turnovers, which can lead to points on the other end for them. But while both teams are slumping right now, Iowa is a much more of an elite team than Illinois. Iowa

Quarterfinals 

#1 Michigan St. v #9 Indiana 

Third times a charm right? MSU looks overpowering here and with the expected return of Nick Ward,  this helps the Spartans a lot in the post along with Tillman. The Spartans also boast a very good shooting Corp along the perimeter. The one weakness for MSU is that it commits a lot of turnovers, but doesn't force a lot. IU bas Juwan Morgan and Langford, but that wont be enough for this Spartan team that is looking to hopefully redeem themselves after getting swept by IU in the regular season. Michigan St.

#4 Wisconsin v #5 Maryland 

Both teams are very even with very little separation on offensive production. Both teams are even in shooting from the floor with Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith locking down in the paint for the Terrapins and Ethan Happ and Khalil Iverson for the Badgers. The Badgers have more options from the perimeter. But the one thing that stands out is that the Badgers are one of the best teams in the country for not turning the ball over, while the Terps are prone to committing turnovers, which can allow Wisconsin to grab some extra points on the other end. This will be a tight match up but Wisconsin makes it out alright. Wisconsin 

#2 Purdue v #10 Penn St.

The whole "its hard to beat a team three times in a season" is true to an extent, this will be the third time the Boilermakers play Penn St. but with a much needed rest, this should not be a problem, Purdue edges the Nittany Lion's in both shooting from the floor, and perimeter shooting, with Purdue having Haarms who has been hot of late, and Trevion. Penn St. has Mike Watkins, but he is prone to getting into foul trouble. Both teams have options at the perimeter but Purdue has two guys in Cline and Eifert that are shooting over 40% and Edwards who could go off at any time. Since Penn St. plays everybody close, this won't be a game where either team is running away with it, but this is a game where Purdue should comfortably win. Purdue 

#3 Michigan v #Iowa 

Michigan does not win points for offense. But for defense as they hold teams to 59 PPG. Iowa edges the Wolverines in shooting from the floor as they are able to throw more bodies in with Garza, Wieskamp, and Cook. and they barley hold of Michigan in perimeter shooting with Bohannon, and Isaiah Moss, just to name some good options for the Hawkeyes. But like I said in the beginning, Michigan wins their games on the defensive end, holding teams well below their average, and with the possibility of Charles Matthews returning back into the lineup. Michigan has a well rounded shooter, scorer, and defensive nightmare for opposing teams. So while Iowa has a good offense, Michigan has an even better defense. Michigan 

Semifinals

#4 Wisconsin v #1 Michigan St. 

MSU has a good edge against the badgers on shooting from the floor, they have guys that are consistently good shooters, and with Nick Ward and Tillman, that can cause problems for Happ and the Badgers. I would say that both teams are pretty even in the way of shooting from deep, as both have options. While MSU is just an offensive unit, their struggle all season has been turnovers, and to make things worse, they are going up against a team that only commits just 9 turnovers a game. But with MSU's second leading scorer, Wisconsin will try, but they wont be able to knock off the Spartans. Michigan St.

#3 Michigan v #2 Purdue 

This will be a very tight close game, as both teams are very very similar to each other, Purdue edges the Wolverines in shooting from the floor and from deep. Both teams also don't commit that many turnovers. But what will be the difference here is Michigan's defense. This will be a tight game but Michigan's defense will keep Purdue at bay. Michigan 

Championship 

#2 Michigan v #1 Michigan St.

MSU was able to sweep Michigan during the regular season without Ward. But with Ward expecting to come back. this gives MSU an offensive edge. MSU has been able to stifle this Michigan offense. this should be a fun game to watch. Michigan St.