The Big Ten was one of the best conferences in college basketball again this season, and they could put more teams into the tournament than any other conference in the country. Eight Big Ten teams are all vying for tournament bids, and almost all of them have a great chance to make the tournament. Here's a breakdown of where they stand on the NCAA Tournament bubble:
LOCKS
Michigan State Spartans (24-5, 11-5)
Maryland Terrapins (23-6, 11-5)
Indiana Hoosiers (23-6, 13-3)
Iowa Hawkeyes (20-8, 11-5)
Purdue Boilermakers (22-7, 10-6)
These five have absolutely nothing to worry about on Selection Sunday other than where they are seeded. Michigan State is currently fighting to be a one-seed, while the other four are all projected to be top-five seeds.
SHOULD BE IN
Wisconsin Badgers (19-10, 11-5)
Wisconsin has found a way to resurrect the season after a dreadful 9-9 start, winning 10 of their last 11 games, including victories over Michigan State, Indiana, and Maryland. The Badgers are expected to be safely in the tournament, but a collapse this week and first-round loss in the Big Ten Tournament could put them back on the bubble.
WORK LEFT TO DO
Ohio State Buckeyes (19-11, 11-6)
Ohio State seemed to put themselves on the right side of the bubble by beating Iowa on Sunday, but they still need another marquee win to really make them a lock. Early season losses to UT-Arlington and Louisiana Tech are really hurting them right now, but a win over Michgian State on Saturday or another win over a ranked team in the Big Ten Tournament would make them a lock.
Michigan Wolverines (20-10, 10-7)
Michigan does have two wins over ranked teams, beating Maryland and Purdue earlier this season, yet also suffered losses to fellow bubble teams Ohio State and Wisconsin over the past few weeks. The good thing the Wolverines have going for them is their lack of a bad loss - but they only have that duo of impressive wins. I think they need to knock off one of the teams listed above in the Big Ten Tournament to make the tournament.
Back to the Big Ten Newsfeed