Big 10 Tournament Preview

With the start of the Big 10 Tournament just one day away, today I will present a special preview of the first round matchups in the Big 10 Tournment, predictions for these games, and how I think Michigan will do in this years tournament. The Wolverines finished their regular season on Sunday with a win over the Penn State Nittany Lions 66-62. With the win the Wolverines finished with a 13-5 conference record, and because Ohio State was able to beat Michigan State on the same day, Michigan was awarded a share of the Big 10 regular season title. The day marked the first time Michigan was Big 10 regular season champions since 1986! The Wolverines shared the honour with Ohio State and Michigan State. However through a tie breaker Michigan State was awarded the #1 seed in the Big 10 Tournament, with Michigan getting the #2 seed, followed by Ohio State at #3. Since the Big 10 Tournament format states that the top 4 seeds recieve a first round bye in th tournament, #4 Wisconsin also gets a free pass in to the 2nd round of the tournament. The first round of the Big 10 tournament shapes out as follows:

#5 Indiana                   
#12 Penn State

#6 Purdue
#11 Nebraska

#7 Northwestern
#10 Minnesota

#8 Iowa

#9 Illinois

#5 Indiana Vs. #12 Penn State, Thursday, March 8th, 2pm:

This game really should be a cake walk for the Indiana Hoosiers. The Hoosiers have had an excellent season with great wins over Ohio State, Michigan, and they also handed the Kentucky Wildcats their own loss of the season. Indiana is the highest scoring team in the Big 10, averaging 77.5 points per game and is lead by Freshman big man Cody Zeller (pictured on right). Zeller is averaging 15 points per game to go along with 6 rebounds. Zeller is surrounded by a plethera of shooters including Christian Watford and Jordan Hulls who are deadly from 3 point range. On the other hand, Penn State struggled through yet another Big 10 season and finished last in the conference. Their only bright spot from their 2012 season was senior guard Tim Frazier. He averaged 19 points and 6 assists on the season, and if the Nittany Lions have even a hope of winning this game, Frazier will have to have a huge night. Don't count on it, the Hoosiers will win big and get ready for a match up with Wisconsin in the quarter finals.

Prediction: Indiana 76- Penn State 58

#6 Purdue Vs. #11 Nebraska, Thursday, March 8th, 8pm:

The Boilermakers have really started to come on late in the season. They have won 5 of their last 7 games heading in to the conference tournament and one of those wins came in Ann Arbour on Senior Night over Michigan. Purdue is considered to be one of those teams that are "on the bubble" for the NCAA Tournament and really need a win or two in the conference tournament to secure their spot in the field of 64. Purdue senior's Robbie Hummel (pictured on right) and Lawrence Jackson are leading the way for the Boliermakers, Hummel is leading the team in scoring with 17 points per game, and rebounding with 7 per game. Nebraska's first basketball season as part of the Big 10 didn't go so well. They finished 4-14 in the conference and really only had one noteworthy win this season which was their win over Indiana. Purdue should be able to run away with this one and earn a birth in the 2nd round against Ohio State.

Prediction: Purdue 73- Nebraska 60

#7 Northwestern Vs. #10 Minnesota, Thursday, March 8th, 5:30pm:

Northwestern is another team within the Big 10 that is fighting for its NCAA Tournament lives. Northwestern was a decent team in the Big 10 this year, but they are another team with only one notable win on the season. However if they are able to win a few games within the Big 10 Tournament they will also have a shot at making the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are lead by Northwestern all time leading scorer John Shurna (pictured right) who is averaging 20 points per game on the season. It was a difficult season for the Golden Gophers of Minnesota this season. Early in their season, Minnesota lost their best player and leader in Trevor Mbakwe to a knee injury that limited him to only 7 games this season. However Mbawke is back for the Big 10 Tournament and the Golden Gophers are sure to be charged up for this one. However I think that Northwestern has more to play for in this game and will squeak out a victory.

Prediction: Northwestern 60- Minnesota 56

#8 Iowa Vs. #9 Illinois, Thursday, March 8th, 11:30am:

This matchup may be the most intriguing matchup of the first round. Iowa is a team who seemed to improve as the Big 10 season went on, while Illinois is a team who seemed to get worse. Illinois played excellent at the beginning of the season with huge wins over ranked opponents Gonzaga and Ohio State. However the Fighting Illini finished the Big 10 season losing 11 of 13 games and has completely slipped out of contention for an NCAA Tournament bid. The key to this game will be the matchup at shooting guard. Iowa senior Matt Gatens leads the Hawkeyes with 16 points per game while his counterpart Brandon Paul (pictured right) is leading Illinois in scoring with 15 points per game. In think that a slumping Illinois team that is lacking confidence will come out slow and Iowa will capitalize.

Prediction: Iowa 52- Illinois 51

The Wolverines await the winner of the first round matchup between Northwestern and Minnesota in the Big 10 tournament. Michigan will play its quarter-final game Friday night at 6:30pm in Indianapolis. As the #2 seed in the tournament, the Wolverines have an excellent opportunity to make it all the way this year, and could possibly boost their seeding in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines currently sit as the #13 team in the country and a most likely #3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan State is the clear favourite to win the Big 10 Tournament but Michigan is primed for a run at the title. The Wolverines are likely to face the Northwestern Wildcats in the quarter-final game, a team they have alredy beaten twice this season. If the Wolverines play push the ball and hit their open shots, theyn should cruise in to the semi-finals.

Be sure to check back soon for more Big 10 Tournament coverage!